OpenAI Updates Codex with Desktop App Control, Image Generation, and Memory Features

OpenAI announced updates to its Codex system on April 16, 2026, introducing the ability for Codex to operate desktop applications on users' computers. This new feature, initially limited to macOS, allows Codex to work in the background without interfering with users' work in other applications. The rollout for this capability began the same day for Codex desktop app users signed in with ChatGPT.

The desktop app operation feature is designed to assist users in testing and iterating frontend changes, testing applications, or working within apps that do not have an API. OpenAI did not provide a timeline for expanding this feature to other operating systems. Additionally, users in the European Union will have to wait for the feature's rollout, which is expected to occur soon.

5 model. The system is also adding new plug-ins for GitLab, Atlassian Rovo, and Microsoft Suite, enhancing its integration capabilities. Codex now includes native web browsing through an in-app browser, where users can comment directly on web pages to provide precise instructions to the Codex agent.

The updates also make task automation easier by allowing the reuse of existing conversation threads. Codex can schedule future work for itself and wake up automatically to continue long-term tasks. A significant addition is an opt-in memory feature that enables Codex to remember context from past interactions, including personal preferences, corrections, and gathered information.

This personalization feature will be released as a preview and is set to roll out soon to Enterprise, Education, and EU users.