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Codex CLI

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OpenAI official terminal coding agent

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Tracked since2026
0 reviews tracked·3 press mentions

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Paid plans only

Biggest pro

Official OpenAI product

Biggest con

Requires ChatGPT subscription

TL;DR - Codex CLI

  • OpenAI Codex in the terminal
  • Natural language to code commands
  • AI-powered shell assistance
Pricing: Paid only
Best for: Enterprises & pros

What is Codex CLI?

Editorial review
Codex CLI is OpenAIs official coding agent that runs locally in your terminal. Built in Rust for speed and efficiency, it can read, modify, and execute code in your selected directory. Powered by GPT-5-Codex and GPT-5 models, it supports multi-modal input including screenshots and design specs, MCP integration for third-party tools, and built-in code review before commits. Included with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans, making it accessible to existing OpenAI subscribers.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Official OpenAI product
  • Fast Rust implementation
  • Multi-modal input support
  • Integrated code review
  • Included with ChatGPT Plus
  • Active development by OpenAI
  • MCP extensibility

Cons

  • Requires ChatGPT subscription
  • No free tier
  • OpenAI ecosystem lock-in
  • Newer than competitors
  • Less community content

Preview

Key Features

Built in Rust for performanceGPT-5-Codex and GPT-5 modelsLocal code executionMulti-modal input (screenshots, designs)MCP integration for extensionsBuilt-in code review agentDirectory-scoped executionModel switching via /model commandReasoning level adjustmentOpen source codebase

Pricing Plans

Open Source

Free

  • Full source code access
  • Apache License 2.0 license
  • Community support
  • Self-hosted

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Codex CLI FAQ

Is Codex CLI free?

No, Codex CLI requires a ChatGPT subscription. It is included with ChatGPT Plus (20 dollars/month), Pro (200 dollars/month), Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans. There is no standalone free tier.

How does Codex CLI compare to Claude Code?

Both are official terminal coding agents from major AI companies. Codex CLI uses OpenAI GPT-5 models and requires a ChatGPT subscription. Claude Code uses Claude models and requires a Claude subscription. Codex CLI is built in Rust for speed, while Claude Code focuses on nuanced code understanding. Choose based on your existing subscription and model preference.

What models does Codex CLI use?

Codex CLI is powered by GPT-5-Codex (optimized for coding) and GPT-5. You can switch between models using the /model command and adjust reasoning levels for different tasks.

Can Codex CLI read images?

Yes, Codex CLI supports multi-modal input. You can attach screenshots or design specs and Codex will read them alongside your text prompt, making it useful for implementing designs or debugging visual issues.

Is Codex CLI open source?

Yes, the Codex CLI codebase is open source and available on GitHub. However, it requires OpenAI API access through a ChatGPT subscription to function.

Source: github.com

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