OpenAI updates its Codex desktop app with features like computer control, an in-app browser, image generation, automation memory, plugin support, and more

ZDNET's key takeaways — Codex Desktop expands from coding into full productivity workflows. — Automation can generate images, charts, and workflow outputs.

ZDNET 2026-04-17 David Gewirtz

Context & Ripple Effects

Codex began as an AI coding agent for ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team users, then moved into a macOS desktop app positioned as a command center for coding agents. A Windows version followed with native sandboxing and developer-environment support.

This update extends that desktop foundation beyond code execution: computer control, browsing, image generation, automation memory, and plugins make Codex a broader place to run and retain multi-step work.

First-order effects

Codex Desktop users can combine coding tasks with browser use, computer control, generated visual outputs, and plugins inside the same app rather than treating the tool solely as a coding-agent interface.
Automation memory gives recurring workflows a persistent layer, potentially reducing repeated setup for users who run similar tasks over time.

Second-order effects

The product’s value proposition shifts toward the workflow around software work—research, interaction with web tools, and output creation—not just code generation, increasing pressure on adjacent AI work surfaces to support end-to-end tasks.
Plugin support and a broader set of workflow outputs create incentives for integrations and repeatable automations around Codex, while making the desktop app a more important distribution point for OpenAI’s agent capabilities.

Third-order effects

If these capabilities continue to converge, the competitive unit may become the agentic work surface that coordinates tools, context, and actions, rather than a standalone coding model or chatbot.
The expansion also raises the importance of controls around delegated computer actions and retained workflow context; how such features are governed will shape whether they can move from individual productivity into more sensitive work settings.

The trend: This is part of the shift from coding-specific AI agents toward persistent, tool-connected desktop workspaces that can carry out broader workflows.

Discussion

@openai @openai on x
Codex for (almost) everything. It can now use apps on your Mac, connect to more of your tools, create images, learn from previous actions, remember how you like to work, and take on ongoing and repeatable tasks. [video]
@gabriel1 Gabriel on x
it will be hard to dismiss these tools as “hype” in the coming 3 months, as the world transitions into a new way of working
@chooserich Nick O'Neill on x
Not to let Perplexity be outdone, Open AI drops theirs 😂
@dkundel Dominik Kundel on x
When we say for (almost) everything we mean it! All of these features have been game changers for me in the last days beyond just coding. I had automated threads keep an eye on my Slack, email, calendar, Google docs, and more for the launch and monitor PRs along the way. So [vide…
@arix Ari Weinstein on x
This is the first time I've ever seen an LLM operate a GUI as fast as a person, and it's surreal. [video]
@gdb Greg Brockman on x
Codex is becoming a turbocharged partner for everything you want your computer to do for you:
@romainhuet Romain Huet on x
Big day for Codex! Codex can now work across more of your computer and more of your tools. Features many of you have been asking for are here: computer use, in-app browser, 90+ plugins, image generation, memory, thread automations, and more. Can't wait to see what you build! [vid…
@nvidia @nvidia on x
Congratulations @OpenAI on bringing Codex to more of the software workflow. 🎉 Codex is becoming a system for more of a developer's workflow, helping them move across tools, create richer outputs, adapt to how they work, and carry longer-running tasks forward.
@signulll @signulll on x
computer use is broadly here & it's genuinely very cool, but it's worth flagging the structural asymmetry here where apple & google don't have to pipe everything through accessibility apis unlike app players. vertical integration lets them operate deeper in the stack like the co…
@nickadobos Nick Dobos on x
With codex computer use + mac's iPhone Mirror app, GPT can use any app on your phone!!! Seems less accurate with clicks vs actual mac desktop apps, but it does work! Whats the best app to use this with?! [video]
@embirico Alexander Embiricos on x
Background Computer Use Computer Use in Codex has some deep OS-level wizardry. Codex can see/click/type in apps in the background, without taking over your computer, and you can work in parallel. @AriX and team absolutely crushed here. Windows soon.
@levie Aaron Levie on x
The new Codex is another jump in what agents will look like for knowledge workers. Agents that can code, work with tools, and use computers, can begin to execute long running tasks in the background for all areas of work. This can mean drafting reports, setting up data rooms fo…
@kimmonismus @kimmonismus on x
The real signal is in OpenAI's own framing: 3M weekly Codex users, and they claim nearly half of usage is already non-coding. Codex is being repositioned as a general work agent, not just a dev tool. „Workbench for real work, before, around, and after writing code. " This is a…
@sama Sam Altman on x
Lots of major improvements to Codex! Computer use is a real update for me; it feels even more useful than I expected. It can use all of the apps on your Mac, in parallel and without interfering with your direct work.
@jameszmsun James Sun on x
We are super excited to launch the in-app browser inside Codex with comment mode! View any web pages & iterate with your agent quickly with just point and click. Codex will automatically capture a screenshot, the DOM element, and feed it as precise context to your next [video]
r/singularity r on reddit
OpenAI: Codex for Almost Everything
r/OpenAI r on reddit
OpenAI sherlocked a bunch of YC startups today
r/OpenAI r on reddit
Codex for (almost) everything

Chronicles