OpenAI Codex Desktop App: Guide to Multi-Agent Workflows
A practical guide to the OpenAI Codex desktop app: setup, multi-agent workflows, and how it fits into development.
Editorial Team
The AI Coding Tools Directory editorial team researches and reviews AI-powered development tools to help developers find the best solutions for their workflows.
The OpenAI Codex desktop app connects your workflow to OpenAI's cloud coding agents. This guide covers setup and multi-agent workflows.
Quick Answer
OpenAI Codex is a cloud coding agent with a desktop app for local integration. It supports multi-agent workflows, parallel sandboxes, and MCP. Use it for agent-style coding that runs in OpenAI's environment. OpenAI Codex
What Codex Offers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cloud sandboxes | Agents run in isolated environments |
| Parallel agents | Multiple tasks or agents at once |
| Desktop app | Local client; connects to cloud |
| MCP | Connect GitHub, databases, etc. |
| Model access | OpenAI frontier models |
Setup Overview
- Install the Codex desktop app from OpenAI.
- Sign in with your OpenAI account (Codex subscription).
- Connect repos, MCP servers, or services as needed.
- Start tasks via the app; agents work in sandboxes.
Exact steps depend on current Codex product structure; check openai.com/codex for the latest.
Multi-Agent Workflows
- Parallel tasks: Run different agents on different parts of a project.
- Decomposition: Break a large task into sub-tasks for separate agents.
- Review flow: One agent implements; you or another agent reviews.
Codex's sandbox model supports these patterns; workflow design is up to you.
Codex vs Other Agents
| Tool | Form | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|
| Codex | Desktop + cloud | OpenAI sandboxes |
| Cursor | IDE | Your machine + APIs |
| Claude Code | Terminal/IDE | Your machine + Anthropic |
| Devin | Web IDE | Devin cloud |
When Codex Fits
| Good fit | Less ideal |
|---|---|
| OpenAI-centric workflow | Prefer Claude or other models |
| Parallel agent experiments | Simple single-agent use |
| Sandbox isolation | Need everything local |
| Multi-repo coordination | Single-repo only |
Next Steps
- OpenAI Codex — Tool page.
- AI coding agents explained — Agent concepts.
- Background agents — Async agent patterns.
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Tools Mentioned in This Article
Claude Code
Anthropic's terminal-based AI coding agent with 80.9% SWE-bench, Agent Teams, and GitHub Actions
SubscriptionCursor
The AI-native code editor with $1B+ ARR, 25+ models, and background agents on dedicated VMs
FreemiumOpenAI Codex
Cloud coding agent with 1M+ developers, Desktop App, and parallel sandboxed environments
FreemiumWorkflow Resources
Cookbook
AI-Powered Code Review & Quality
Automate code review and enforce quality standards using AI-powered tools and agentic workflows.
Cookbook
Building AI-Powered Applications
Build applications powered by LLMs, RAG, and AI agents using Claude Code, Cursor, and modern AI frameworks.
Cookbook
Building APIs & Backends with AI Agents
Design and build robust APIs and backend services with AI coding agents, from REST to GraphQL.
Cookbook
Debugging with AI Agents
Systematically debug complex issues using AI coding agents with structured workflows and MCP integrations.
Skill
Change risk triage
A systematic method for categorizing AI-generated code changes by blast radius and required verification depth, preventing high-risk changes from shipping without adequate review.
Skill
Configuring MCP servers
A cross-tool guide to setting up Model Context Protocol servers in Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, and VS Code, including server types, authentication, and common patterns.
Skill
Local model quality loop
Improve code output quality when using local AI models by combining rules files, iterative retries with error feedback, and test-backed validation gates.
Skill
Plan-implement-verify loop
A structured execution pattern for safe AI-assisted coding changes that prevents scope creep and ensures every edit is backed by test evidence.
MCP Server
AWS MCP Server
Open source MCP servers from AWS Labs that give AI coding agents access to AWS documentation, best practices, and contextual guidance for building on AWS.
MCP Server
Docker MCP Server
Docker MCP Gateway orchestrates MCP servers in isolated containers, providing secure discovery and execution of Model Context Protocol servers across AI coding tools.
MCP Server
Figma MCP Server
Official Figma MCP server that brings design context, variables, components, and Code Connect data into AI coding sessions for design-to-code workflows.
MCP Server
Firebase MCP Server
Experimental Firebase MCP server that gives AI coding agents access to Firestore, Auth, security rules, Cloud Messaging, and project management through the Firebase CLI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OpenAI Codex desktop app?
How does Codex differ from Cursor or Claude Code?
Can I use Codex with my own repositories?
Does Codex support MCP?
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