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Tired of constantly switching windows when coding, debugging, or trying to understand unfamiliar code? Meet OpenAI Codex CLI, the AI assistant that runs directly in your terminal to streamline and supercharge your development workflow. This article will help you get started quickly and answer your burning questions.
Ever wished you had a smart AI buddy inside your terminal—one that could help you read code, make quick edits, or even execute commands automatically? Well, that wish just came true! OpenAI’s Codex CLI is here, and it’s awesome.
Let’s be real—as developers, we often juggle a lot: checking documentation, fixing pesky bugs, or deciphering someone else’s “hieroglyphics” (I mean code). Constantly hopping between tools and windows can get mentally exhausting.
That’s where OpenAI Codex CLI comes in. It’s an open-source command-line tool that brings OpenAI’s latest AI reasoning capabilities right into your terminal. Think of it as a lightweight code agent living inside your machine, ready to lend a hand whenever you need it.
This is probably the biggest concern on your mind. Don’t worry! One of the best parts about Codex CLI is that it runs locally on your machine. What does that mean? It means that unless you choose to share something, your source code never leaves your computer. All file reading, writing, and command execution happens entirely on your device. Only your prompts, some high-level context, and (optionally) code diff summaries are sent to the AI model for processing. For privacy-conscious developers, this is a huge plus, right?
Want to dive deeper into the tech or check out the source? Head over to the GitHub repo: https://github.com/openai/codex
Codex CLI isn’t just a gimmick—it’s got real power:
npm install -g @openai/codex
(or codex --upgrade
to update), and you’re good to go. Easy, right?One of Codex CLI’s core strengths is its flexible approval modes, helping you strike a balance between automation and control.
Pro tip: If your project isn’t under version control (e.g., Git), Codex CLI will warn you before switching to Auto Edit
or Full Auto
—a super thoughtful safeguard!
Ready to give it a spin? Just follow these simple steps:
npm install -g @openai/codex
<OAI_KEY>
with your own key):
export OPENAI_API_KEY="<OAI_KEY>"
(Note: Depending on your shell, you may need to add this to .zshrc
, .bashrc
, etc.)
codex "Explain the main functionality of this repo."
Or try:
codex "Find potential bugs in this file: src/utils.js"
codex --auto-edit
codex --full-auto
/mode
inside Codex CLI to switch on the fly.)Here are some common questions developers ask:
Which AI model does Codex CLI use?
By default, it uses the o4-mini
model for speed and efficiency. But you can specify any supported model, e.g., codex -m o3
. If you’re a certified OpenAI developer, you might even see chain-of-thought summaries in the API responses.
Is my code really safe? Will it get uploaded?
One more time for the people in the back: No. All file-related actions (read/write/exec) happen locally. Only prompts, high-level context, and optional diffs are sent to OpenAI’s servers.
How do I switch approval modes during a session?
Easy! Either pass a flag when launching (--suggest
, --auto-edit
, --full-auto
) or just type /mode
during an ongoing Codex CLI session.
Which operating systems are supported?
Officially: macOS and Linux. Windows support is experimental for now and may require WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).
CTRL + C
to cancel and restart the task. codex --upgrade
It’ll fetch the latest version automatically.
OpenAI Codex CLI is a powerful tool that brings smart AI directly into your favorite dev environment—the terminal. Whether you want to understand unfamiliar code faster, reduce repetitive work, or get a debugging buddy, this tool has your back.
Most importantly, it respects your code privacy and gives you full control over what gets executed or changed.
So what are you waiting for? Install it and take it for a spin! You might just find that coding becomes a whole lot more fun (and efficient) with an AI partner by your side.
Learn more on the GitHub repo: https://github.com/openai/codex
DMflow.chat: Intelligent integration that drives innovation. With persistent memory, customizable fields, seamless database and form connectivity, plus API data export, experience unparalleled flexibility and efficiency.
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