Authentication with Codex CLI requires setting up your OpenAI API key and linking your account through a straightforward process that connects the CLI to your ChatGPT subscription. The first step involves obtaining your API key from your OpenAI account dashboard and setting it as an environment variable in your terminal session using export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-api-key-here". This establishes the basic connection between the CLI tool and OpenAI’s services, enabling the tool to make authenticated requests to access the underlying AI models.
For users with paid OpenAI accounts (Plus, Pro, Team, or Enterprise), the authentication process includes additional steps to fully integrate with your ChatGPT account features. After setting your API key, you can initiate the login process that allows you to sign in with your ChatGPT credentials and sync settings between the web interface and the CLI tool. This integration enables features like accessing your usage quotas, managing approval workflows, and maintaining consistency between your ChatGPT and CLI experiences. The authentication system is designed to be secure and maintains proper separation between your local development environment and OpenAI’s cloud services.
The CLI also supports different authentication modes depending on your use case and security requirements. For development teams using Enterprise or Team accounts, administrators can manage API key distribution and access controls through OpenAI’s organizational dashboard. The tool respects rate limits and usage quotas associated with your account tier, so Plus users will have different limitations compared to Pro or Enterprise users. Additionally, the authentication system includes provisions for API credit redemption - Plus and Pro users can redeem $5 and $50 in free API credits respectively during promotional periods, making it cost-effective to explore the tool’s capabilities before committing to regular usage.