OpenAI adds computer control and image generation to Codex desktop app

OpenAI announced a major update to its Codex desktop application, adding the ability for the AI to control a user’s computer, generate images, and integrate a growing set of plugins. The rollout begins for Windows and macOS users signed in with a ChatGPT account, though the new “computer use” feature is limited to macOS for now [1].

Key takeaways

• Codex can now see, click and type on a user’s screen, enabling automation of apps without APIs [1]
• An in‑app browser lets users comment on web pages to give precise instructions to the AI [2]
• Native image generation via the gpt‑image‑1.5 model is built into the desktop app [1]
• Over 90 new plugins, including tools for Atlassian, GitLab and Microsoft Suite, are added [1]
• Windows support includes a native sandbox using restricted tokens and filesystem ACLs [3]

New productivity features beyond code generation

The update transforms Codex from a pure coding assistant into a broader productivity companion. Developers can now run multiple Codex agents in parallel, schedule long‑running tasks, and reuse prior conversation threads so the AI retains context across days or weeks [1]. A new summary pane displays agent plans, sources and generated artifacts, while the sidebar offers file previews for PDFs, spreadsheets, slides and documents. Support for GitHub review comments, multiple terminal tabs, and early‑stage SSH connections to remote devboxes further extend its developer‑focused toolkit [1][2].

Platform rollout and limitations

Codex desktop is now available on both Windows and macOS, with Windows users gaining a native agent sandbox that leverages OS‑level controls such as restricted tokens and dedicated sandbox users to run safely in PowerShell environments [3]. The “computer use” capability—where the AI can operate applications in the background—is currently limited to macOS, and the feature is not yet offered in the EU or UK [1][2]. Memory and context‑aware suggestions, part of the previewed memory feature, will initially roll out to enterprise, education and EU/UK users at a later date [1].

Why it matters

By allowing the AI to interact directly with the operating system, OpenAI blurs the line between code generation and full‑workflow automation, potentially reducing the need for custom scripts or API integrations. The addition of native image generation and a growing plugin ecosystem positions Codex as a more versatile tool for developers seeking end‑to‑end assistance. However, the platform‑specific limitations and the need for careful token management suggest that widespread adoption will depend on how reliably the new features perform in real‑world workflows.