AI coding tools

Codex CLI

Terminal agent

OpenAI's terminal coding agent — the GPT-side answer to Claude Code.

Key facts (mid-2026)

Maker
OpenAI
Pricing
Included with ChatGPT Plus/Pro plans; or API pay-as-you-go
Models
GPT / o-series (OpenAI only)
Platforms
macOS, Linux, Windows · terminal, IDE extension, cloud
MCP support
Yes
Open source
Yes

Strengths

  • Tight integration with ChatGPT subscriptions (use the plan you already pay for)
  • Open-source CLI, cloud + local execution modes
  • Strong on well-scoped tasks and codegen benchmarks

Weaknesses

  • Locked to OpenAI models
  • Younger ecosystem of workflows/plugins than Claude Code

Our verdict

Best for: ChatGPT subscribers who want an agent in the terminal without a second subscription.

If you already pay for ChatGPT, try it first; benchmark it against Claude Code on your own repo before committing.

FAQ

How much does Codex CLI cost?

Included with ChatGPT Plus/Pro plans; or API pay-as-you-go.

Which models does Codex CLI use?

GPT / o-series (OpenAI only)

Who is Codex CLI best for?

ChatGPT subscribers who want an agent in the terminal without a second subscription.

No affiliate links on coding-hub pages. Opinions from daily use; pricing approximate — check the official site.