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.