OpenAI Unveils Major Codex Update: A Step Toward Its Super App Vision

Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI was developing a desktop super app integrating ChatGPT, its Codex coding agent, and the Atlas web browser into a unified experience. While OpenAI has not yet released this application, it has introduced a major update to Codex that expands its functionality and provides insight into its future plans.

During a press briefing, Thibault Sottiaux, head of Codex, stated,

"We're building the super app out in the open. This release is about developers. In the future, we will broaden it up to a wider audience."

The latest version of Codex introduces multi-purpose AI agents capable of working across a broader "surface area" and operating more proactively. Key enhancements include:

• Computer use: Codex agents can now interact with other applications on your PC. Users can prompt OpenAI’s models to either specify a program or let the AI determine the best tool for the task. Unlike competing tools like Claude Cowork, OpenAI claims Codex’s approach is more efficient, using a "secret sauce" to run apps without overloading your system, enabling seamless collaboration.
• 111 new plugins: These plugins combine skills, app integrations, and model context protocol server connections, expanding Codex’s ability to gather context and utilize tools essential for developers.
• Built-in browser with commenting: Codex now includes a browser that allows users to prompt the AI to make adjustments to specific parts of a webpage or web app. In a demo, a Codex team member used this feature to instruct Codex to adjust the margins on a graph, ensuring the y-axis was fully visible.
• Built-in image generation: Using gpt-image-1.5, Codex can generate product concepts, mockups, frontend designs, and assets for simple games. It can also verify its progress by analyzing screenshots.

Additionally, OpenAI is previewing two new memory features:

• Context recall: Codex can now remember details from previous tasks to inform future prompts, improving speed and accuracy over time.
• Proactive suggestions: Based on gathered context, Codex may suggest actions, such as reminding you to respond to a coworker’s comment on a Google Doc draft at the start of your day.

OpenAI is rolling out the updated Codex to desktop app users who are currently logged in.