YouTipCodex App Interface Guide |
Codex App is an AI Agent workstation launched by OpenAI. Its biggest difference from ordinary chatbots is: it does more than just answer questions—it starts to truly execute tasks.
For example:
- Read local projects
- Modify code
- Browse the web
- Run terminal commands
- Operate the browser
- Invoke Git
- Use plugins
- Automate task execution
In essence, it is no longer a traditional chat-based AI, but rather: a desktop work operating system centered around AI.
OpenAI officially defines it as: A command center for agents.
It supports:
- Parallel multi-Agent operation
- Worktree-based project isolation
- Long-running task execution
- Automated workflows
- Skill system
- Browser and computer control
- Cloud and local collaboration
This is why many users, upon first opening Codex, feel that it resembles a fusion of an IDE + AI + automation platform + browser + assistant system—rather than just a chat tool.
Codex Interface Overview
Upon first opening Codex, the interface appears as follows:
The left side is the workflow navigation area, and the center is the Agent conversation and task execution area.
Left-side menu descriptions:
| Left Menu | Description |
|---|---|
| New Conversation | Create a brand-new AI workflow thread and start tasks anew. |
| Search | Quickly search historical conversations, project records, and contextual content. |
| Plugins | Add external capabilities to Codex, such as browser, GitHub, Gmail, etc. |
| Automation | Let Codex automatically execute tasks based on time or rules. |
| Projects | Bind local folders or code repositories so Codex can understand and manipulate them. |
| Regular Chat | Pure chat mode without project binding, suitable for daily questions and content generation. |
| Historical Project Threads | View previously executed tasks and chat history under a specific project. |
| Settings | Configure system features such as permissions, models, appearance, Git, MCP, browser, and computer control. |
Click the icon in the top-right corner of the image below to show the right-side multi-functional area:
Search
Search for historical conversations, project records, and contextual content:
Plugins
Plugins can be understood as: installing capability packs for Codex.
Click the Plugins menu on the left to enter Codex’s capability extension center.
After installing different plugins, Codex can perform various types of work.
Common plugins:
| Plugin | Function |
|---|---|
| Browser Use | Operate the browser, open webpages, search content |
| Computer Use | Operate software and interfaces on macOS |
| Spreadsheets | Process Excel and spreadsheet data |
| Presentations | Create PowerPoint and presentation slides |
| GitHub | Read and collaborate on GitHub projects |
| Gmail | Read and organize emails |
| Google Drive | Access cloud files |
| Slack | Team collaboration and message handling |
Automation
Automation can be understood as: letting Codex automatically execute tasks for you on a schedule.
Click the Automation menu on the left to enter Codex’s automation page.
You can set:
- Execute at a specific time
- Execute daily
- Execute weekly
- Execute in scheduled loops
What can automation do?
| Scenario | Example |
|---|---|
| Project tracking | Automatically summarize project status daily |
| Repository checks | Weekly check for GitHub repository issues |
| Resume tasks | Resume current thread after 30 minutes |
| Content monitoring | Periodically check webpages, email, and task lists |
| Auto reports | Generate daily, weekly, and review reports automatically |
Right-side Multi-functional Area
The right-side area of Codex can be understood as: the AI’s working result display area.
Here, you primarily view:
- What Codex did
- What was modified
- What was generated
- The task execution results
Common features in the right-side area:
| Feature | Function |
|---|---|
| File Preview | View generated code, Markdown, documents, etc. |
| Webpage Preview | Preview webpages or frontend pages directly |
| Image Preview | View generated images and screenshots |
| PDF / Document Preview | View PDF, PPT, Word, etc. |
| Browser Panel | Let Codex operate webpages in the built-in browser |
| Git Diff | View differences before and after code modifications |
| Sources | View webpages or reference sources used by the AI |
| Review | Inspect and confirm AI changes |
Git Diff is one of the most commonly used features for developers—it shows:
- Which code lines were added
- Which code lines were deleted
- Which files were modified
Codex can directly open a browser in the right-side panel to:
- Visit webpages
- Test frontend pages
- Take screenshots
- Inspect UI
- Operate websites
Even more:
- Click page elements
- Mark interface issues
- Modify webpage UI based on screenshots