OpenAI has announced the launch of a new version of its Codex desktop application today, marking a significant shift towards a more versatile AI tool for users beyond just developers. The updated app now features enhanced capabilities, including a background computer use function, an integrated in-app browser built on OpenAI's Atlas, and image generation powered by gpt-image-1.5.
The background functionality allows Codex to operate desktop applications on Mac devices without disrupting the user's active tasks. This feature is designed to aid developers in testing and iterating on frontend changes, as multiple agents can run in parallel efficiently. Furthermore, the new in-app browser enables users to provide direct feedback on web pages, facilitating more precise instructions for coding projects.
In addition to these features, OpenAI is introducing a curated set of 111 Codex Plugins, which will enhance the app's functionality with various skills and app integrations. The recent update also includes support for addressing GitHub review comments and running multiple terminal tabs, along with the ability to open files in the sidebar with rich previews for various document types.