OpenAI Launches Codex AI Assistant for Software Engineers

OpenAI has launched Codex, a cloud-based AI assistant designed to streamline the workflow of software engineers. This innovative tool is already available to ChatGPT Pro, Team, and Enterprise users, with plans to extend access to Plus users in the near future. Codex is powered by codex-1, a specialized version of OpenAI's AI reasoning model, optimized for software engineering tasks. It can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, including writing functions, answering code-related questions, finding and fixing bugs, and creating requests to incorporate code changes. Each task is executed in a separate, secure cloud environment preloaded with the user's codebase, ensuring that all operations are performed without internet access, thus guaranteeing secure execution.
Codex operates within a sandboxed, virtual environment in the cloud, allowing it to connect with GitHub repositories and preload user code. This setup enables the AI agent to perform a variety of tasks, such as writing simple features, fixing bugs, answering code-related questions, and running tests, all within a timeframe of one to 30 minutes. Notably, Codex can handle multiple software engineering tasks simultaneously without restricting users from accessing their computers or browsers. Users can interact with the agent through a sidebar in ChatGPT, giving it tasks or asking questions about the code. Codex captures its actions through terminal logs and test results, allowing transparent verification of each stage of execution.
Early partners such as Cisco, Temporal, Superhuman, and Kodiak are already implementing Codex into their daily workflows. Cisco noted that Codex helps realize ambitious ideas faster by acting as a smart assistant for engineers. At Temporal, the agent runs complex tests in the background without distracting developers. At Superhuman, even product managers can make minor code changes without involving an engineer, just with validation. OpenAI also released the lightweight codex-mini-latest model for Codex CLI, an agent that runs in the terminal. It responds faster to requests and is better suited for interactive code work.
Codex is available now at no additional cost during the exploratory preview phase. A flexible pricing model is planned for the future. For example, codex-mini-latest is available in the Responses API at $1.50 for 1 million input tokens and $6 for 1 million output tokens, with a 75% discount for repeat requests. OpenAI envisions a future where developers focus on core tasks and delegate the rest to agents. Codex is the first step toward that future. The launch of Codex is part of OpenAI's broader strategy to expand the capabilities of its ChatGPT platform. Initially, access to Codex will be available to subscribers of ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team, with plans to extend access to ChatGPT Plus and Edu users in the near future. OpenAI has stated that users will have generous initial access to Codex, but rate limits will be implemented in the coming weeks, with the option to purchase additional credits for extended use.
Codex's integration into ChatGPT allows users to assign new coding tasks by typing a prompt and clicking the "Code" button, or by asking questions about their codebase and clicking the "Ask" button. Users can monitor the progress of assigned tasks through a user-friendly interface. OpenAI's Agents Research Lead, Josh Tobin, has expressed the company's vision for Codex to act as a "virtual teammate," autonomously completing tasks that would otherwise take human engineers hours or even days to accomplish. Internally, OpenAI is already utilizing Codex to offload repetitive tasks, scaffold new features, and draft documentation. OpenAI has emphasized the safety features of Codex, which include the ability to refuse requests to develop malicious software and an air-gapped environment that limits access to the broader internet or external APIs. This design ensures that Codex operates securely, minimizing potential risks. However, it is important to note that, like all generative AI systems, Codex is prone to mistakes. A recent study highlighted the challenges faced by industry-leading AI coding models in reliably debugging software, although this has not dampened investor enthusiasm for these tools.
In addition to Codex, OpenAI is updating its open-source coding agent, Codex CLI, with a version of its o4-mini model optimized for software engineering. This model is now the default in Codex CLI and will be available in OpenAI's API for a cost of $1.50 per 1M input tokens and $6 per 1M output tokens. The launch of Codex marks OpenAI's latest effort to enhance ChatGPT with additional products, including priority access to its AI video platform, Sora, its research agent, Deep Research, and its web browsing agent, Operator. These offerings are designed to attract more users to ChatGPT subscriptions and encourage existing subscribers to invest in increased rate limits for Codex.

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