Codex CLI

What it is for

Codex CLI is OpenAI’s terminal coding agent: you run codex in a repo, pick a model, and it edits files, runs commands, and follows AGENTS.md. Use it when the job is an agent that stays in the terminal.

It rides your ChatGPT plan (or an API key). The cover is the official CLI still — model, working directory, and /init /status /permissions.

What makes it unique: the same Codex agent shows up in the CLI, IDE extension, web, and iOS, billed on one ChatGPT seat.

Key features

• Session — inspect the repo, edit files, and run local tools in one terminal loop (cover).
• AGENTS.md — repo instructions Codex reads at the start of a session (docs).
• Permissions / sandbox — pick read-only or workspace-write; Codex asks before network or outside-workspace actions (/permissions).
• Skills and plugins — package repeatable workflows, then attach team tools from the CLI marketplace.
• Code review — codex review against uncommitted changes, a commit, or a base branch without editing the tree.
• codex exec — non-interactive runs for scripts and CI pipelines.

Who it's for

Best fit: developers on ChatGPT Plus or Pro who want Codex in the repo they already have open.

Pricing

Verified 2026-10-22 (Asia/Shanghai) from developers.openai.com/codex/pricing. ChatGPT Work and Codex share usage. Re-check before you buy.

• Free — $0/month. Quick coding tasks; GPT-6 Luna in the desktop app (rollout).
• Go — $8/month. Lightweight coding tasks.
• Plus — $20/month. CLI + IDE + web + iOS; GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna; credits after the included pool.
• Pro — $100 / $200 / $500 per month. Higher limits; Ultrafast on Pro $500.
• API key — token billing on the OpenAI API rate card.

Plus Help Center still prints $20/month for the ChatGPT Plus seat.

Limitations / costs

• CLI usage shares the ChatGPT pool. A long repo session spends the same allowance as Work.
• Credits start after the included window. Plus and Pro can buy more.
• API-key sessions follow API prices. Cloud review and Slack stay on ChatGPT seats.
• Model names move. Check the live pricing table before you plan a week of runs.

Alternatives

• Claude Code — Anthropic’s repo agent on Pro $20 / Max from $100.
• Aider — git-native TUI; Apache-2.0 $0; you bring the key.
• OpenCode — MIT TUI/desktop/IDE; software $0; optional Go $10.

Official tutorial

Official OpenAI channel video: Getting started with Codex (oEmbed author: OpenAI). Written path: Codex CLI plus Pricing.

Website

https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli

Repository

https://github.com/openai/codex

Source

Catalog row curated for AI Tools Nav. Cover is the official Codex CLI still (model + directory + slash commands). Dollars checked on developers.openai.com/codex/pricing (Free $0; Go $8; Plus $20; Pro $100 / $200 / $500). Tutorial: Getting started with Codex on @OpenAI (oEmbed).

Last verified

2026-10-22 (Asia/Shanghai) editorial check.