OpenAI Codex for Almost Everything: How AI Controls Computers and Automates Development
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On April 16, 2026, OpenAI rolled out an update that many Vibcoders have been waiting for. Codex is no longer just a “smart add-on” or even a cloud-based PR agent. Now this is a full-fledged colleague who sees your screen, clicks your mouse, types, opens apps, works in the browser and even generates pictures right in the stream.
From Codex-1 to “Almost Everything”
Codex was launched in May 2025 as a cloud software engineering agent. Then came the desktop Codex app (February 2026), models evolved (GPT-5.3-Codex, GPT-5.4, etc.).
Today’s update is not just another version. OpenAI says, *Codex now works next to you on your computer. More than 3 million developers already use it every week. And after today's announcement, they will be noticeably more.
Main features of the update: Codex went beyond the code
1. Computer Use (Computer Use) Codex sees your screen, has its cursor, clicks, prints and works with *all apps on Mac (soon and Windows). You can run multiple agents in parallel - they do not interfere with each other and do not touch your windows.
Case study: You're doing a frontend. Codex Opens Figma → Takes Design → Opens VS Code → Writes Component → Runs a dev server → Checks in the browser → Rules bugs. It's all in one thread, no copypaste.
2. Built-in browser + comments directly on the page You don’t have to “open localhost and look.” Codex has its own in-app browser. You can simply write a comment on the page (“Make the button green and animated”) – it will understand the context and correct the code. While it works best with local web apps and games, OpenAI promises expansion.
3. Image generation within the workflow Codex now uses gpt-image-1.5. Whether you want a product mockup, icons, sprites to play or just visualizing an idea – talk and it generates + immediately inserts into the code or design. Iterations are in one chat.
4. More than 90 new plugins Atlassian Rovo (Jira), CircleCI, GitLab, Microsoft Suite, Neon, Remotion, Render and many others. Codex can now create tickets, run CI/CD, monitor deploys without your participation.
5. Complete development cycle in one window
- Responds to comments on GitHub PR
- Works with multiple terminals simultaneously
- Connects to remote devbox over SSH (alpha)
- Opens PDF, Excel, Google Docs next to code
- There is a summary pane - sees the entire agent's plan, sources and artifacts
**6. Memory, Automation and Waking Up **
- Maintains context between sessions (even days and weeks)
- Remember your preferences and edits (“I always use Tailwind, not CSS Modules”)
- You can plan your own work and wake up at the right time
- Proactive suggestions: In the morning, Codex itself offers “there are 5 open tasks that you can close”
It's not just a tool anymore. It's an agent with memory and initiative.
What it looks like in practice
Case 1. Fast SaaS prototype** You say, “Make a landing + dashboard for tracking expenses with AI-categorization.” Codex:
- Generator design
- Writes front and back
- Connecting Supabase/Neon
- Makes the authorization
- Generate icons
- Runs and shows the result in the browser
You're just adjusting.
Case 2. Support for the legacy project** Open the old repository. Codex itself understands the structure, runs tests, finds bugs and offers PR. While you're drinking coffee.
** Case 3. Teamwork** In Notion/Slack/Gmail hang tasks → Codex pulls them up, sets priorities and starts to execute.
Nuances and edge cases
- While only macOS (Windows version of Codex app already exists, but computer use on Windows is coming soon).
- SSH to remote devbox is alpha.
- Memory and proactive suggestions are coming to Enterprise/Edu/EU/UK.
- An agent can still get stuck on complex tasks — just like any AI. But now it's easier to kick in real time.
- Security and privacy issues: The agent works on your computer. OpenAI promises that everything is local, but it is worth keeping in mind.
How to Start Right Now
- Open the Codex desktop app (Windows/Mac).
- Log in through your ChatGPT account.
- The update is already rolling out to all users.
What's next? ** OpenAI promises "much more to come soon." Judging by the pace, in a couple of months Codex will be even closer to a full-fledged AGI agent.