OpenAI Launches Codex Chrome Extension for Logged-In Web Tasks

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.