OpenAI has launched its programming agent: How it works and what changes compared to current systems

Artificial intelligence is transforming software development, and OpenAI’s new Codex agent takes that shift to the next level. Positioned as a virtual collaborator for developers, Codex introduces an autonomous, cloud-based assistant that not only generates code, but also executes tasks in real time, safely and independently.

A cloud-based developer that works in the background

Unlike traditional AI tools that offer code suggestions, Codex operates as a remote developer in a virtual environment. Once connected to a GitHub account, it reads project files, proposes improvements, writes new functions, and runs tests. Everything is executed securely from the cloud, allowing developers to continue their local work uninterrupted.

One agent, multiple tasks at once

Codex can handle several tasks in parallel, managing them individually and reporting back as it progresses. You can ask it to debug one file while writing documentation for another, creating a dynamic and flexible development workflow. Developers can customize its behavior using AGENTS.md files to define styles, best practices, and test procedures.

Already in use by OpenAI engineers

Although still in preview, Codex is already used by OpenAI and companies like Cisco and Temporal, helping teams automate repetitive tasks, refactor codebases, and accelerate testing. The recommendation? Assign well-defined tasks, run them in parallel, and refine the prompts to unlock Codex’s full potential.

Designed for control and safety

Codex runs in an isolated virtual machine with no internet access and only predefined tools available, ensuring safety and compliance. It cannot access harmful instructions and is programmed to reject malicious commands, though errors and misunderstandings may still occur due to its generative nature.