OpenAI Brings Codex to Windows With Native Sandboxing and Multi-Agent Collaboration

OpenAI initially positioned Codex as a software development agent but is now expanding it into a general-purpose knowledge-work platform for research, data analysis, reports and presentations. The company said on June 2, 2026, that Codex had more than 5 million weekly active users, an increase of more than sixfold since the desktop app launched in February. Non-engineers accounted for about 20% of users, and their ranks were growing more than three times as fast as those of developers.

OpenAI launched six plugins spanning 62 apps and 110 skills on June 2, 2026, and previewed Sites. On April 22, it unveiled a WebSocket mode for the Responses API that made agent workflows 40% faster. On April 2, it cut the annual ChatGPT Business price from $25 to $20 per seat. Eligible teams adding Codex seats could receive $100 in credits, capped at $500.

OpenAI's Codex began as a software development agent but now has more than 5 million weekly users. Non-developers—including analysts, marketers, designers and investors—account for about 20% of users and are growing more than three times as fast as developers. By packaging applications, skills and work instructions, plugins reflect Codex's shift from a coding tool to a platform for coordinating knowledge work.

OpenAI launched six role-based plugins on June 2, 2026, covering data analysis, creative production, sales, product design, public-equity investing and investment banking. Together, they integrate 62 applications and 110 skills, including Slack, Figma, Salesforce and Snowflake. The features are rolling out in supported regions, while Business and Enterprise administrators can manage application permissions.

OpenAI’s Codex is an AI agent that can write code, run tests and handle development tasks on a user’s behalf. Its expansion to the ChatGPT mobile app lets developers monitor work while away from their computers. GitHub’s Copilot App, meanwhile, strengthens parallel management of multiple agents and workflows, moving agentic development beyond the editor into a standalone desktop environment.

In July 2026, OpenAI began allowing users to connect remotely through the ChatGPT mobile app to Codex running on a Mac. Users can track progress, review output, approve actions and launch new tasks. During the same period, GitHub released a technical preview of the GitHub Copilot App, a desktop interface for centrally managing multiple workflows and agents. Neither company disclosed pricing or a date for full general availability.

OpenAI launched the Codex macOS app on Feb. 2, 2026, initially focusing on parallel management of multiple coding agents, isolated worktrees and background tasks. A major update on April 16 added Computer Use, a built-in browser, gpt-image-1.5 image generation and a memory preview, expanding Codex from a coding tool into a development agent that can operate across applications. OpenAI did not separately disclose any fees for the update.

The latest expansion began with the Chronicle research preview on April 20, which uses on-device screenshots to create editable memories. OpenAI then open-sourced the Symphony orchestration specification on April 27, after internally increasing pull-request submissions sixfold. On May 14, it enabled users to remotely resume Mac tasks from their phones. On May 21, it added Appshots, continued operation after the Mac is locked and improved browser annotations. The initial rollout also included more than 90 plugins, though some reports put the total at 111.