OpenAI Codex Update Brings Mac App Control, Image Generation, and Automation

14 articles · Updated · The Verge · Apr 16

OpenAI has released a major update to its Codex coding agent, enabling it to control macOS apps, generate images, and remember user preferences.
The update introduces background computer use, an in-app browser, expanded automation, and over 90 new plugins, with memory and personalization features rolling out soon.
These enhancements position Codex as a more autonomous coding assistant, intensifying competition with rivals like Anthropic’s Claude Code and Google’s developer tools.

Will OpenAI's agent-powered Codex outpace competitors like Anthropic and OpenClaw, or will fragmentation in agent platforms persist?

As Codex evolves into a superapp, could AI agents working in the background reshape how we interact with computers—and what risks might this bring?

When will Codex's advanced features become available for Windows, and how will cross-platform compatibility shape adoption?

With Codex's new memory and automation features, how can users ensure their privacy and data security in increasingly autonomous workflows?

Could the rise of AI agents like Codex prompt a rethinking of social supports such as universal healthcare or an AI dividend?

How might Codex's transformation impact the future of work—could it widen or narrow skill gaps among employees?