Getting Started with Codex: Setup & Basics

Codex is a new AI tool that feels like ChatGPT but can actually take action on your computer. When you open it, you’ll see a sidebar for navigation, projects to organize work, and a chat window where most magic happens. Think of threads as conversations—they can stand alone or live inside a project folder on your machine. Unlike ChatGPT, Codex can inspect, create, and edit files directly. It works with plain language, so no need for perfect prompts. A cool feature is “Steer”—if you change your mind mid-task, just type a new instruction and it adjusts without starting over. You can also run multiple tasks simultaneously, like cleaning a spreadsheet while drafting a document. Just be aware Codex may stop if your computer sleeps unless you tweak settings. Why it matters: This shifts AI from passive assistant to active collaborator, letting it handle real work on your files without constant babysitting.