The integration of OpenAI Codex with development environments has evolved significantly from the original 2021 version to the current autonomous coding agent. The modern Codex primarily operates through two main interfaces: the web-based ChatGPT interface and the Codex CLI tool. The ChatGPT integration allows developers to work with Codex through a browser-based interface where they can describe tasks, review generated code, and manage development projects through isolated sandbox environments. This web interface provides a complete development environment with file editing capabilities, terminal access, and project management features, making it accessible from any device with a web browser.
For developers who prefer working in their terminal and local development environment, the Codex CLI tool provides deep integration with existing workflows. This command-line interface works on macOS, Linux, and Windows (through WSL2) and can be installed globally through npm or Homebrew. The CLI tool allows developers to invoke Codex directly from their terminal, making it easy to integrate with existing development scripts, build processes, and automation workflows. While it doesn’t directly integrate into traditional IDEs like Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ in the same way that GitHub Copilot does, the CLI approach allows developers to use Codex alongside their preferred editor by working in the terminal.
It’s important to note that the current Codex is distinct from GitHub Copilot, which is the tool that provides direct IDE integration for code completion and suggestions within editors like VS Code, Neovim, and others. While GitHub Copilot originally used the 2021 version of OpenAI Codex, it has since moved to more advanced models and operates as a separate product. The current Codex focuses on autonomous task completion rather than real-time code suggestions within an editor. However, developers can still benefit from Codex’s capabilities by using it to generate code that they then copy into their preferred IDE, or by using the CLI tool in conjunction with their existing development setup. The web interface also allows developers to export completed projects or specific code files to integrate with their local development environment.