Codex Merged Into ChatGPT Desktop App: OpenAI Retains and Enhances Developer-Focused Tool
OpenAI merged Codex into ChatGPT's desktop app in July 2026, enhancing its developer-focused features with GPT-5.6, faster responses, and new project...
Contrary to rumors of its disappearance, OpenAI has merged Codex into the ChatGPT desktop app as a dedicated professional mode, the company announced during a live stream on July 9, 2026, alongside the launch of GPT-5.6. The move does not eliminate Codex but integrates it into ChatGPT, preserving its core capabilities while enhancing them with the latest model's power.
The updated ChatGPT desktop app now offers three distinct modes tailored to different user needs: Chat for casual conversations, brainstorming, and quick queries; Work for general productivity tasks like generating documents, slides, or interactive web pages; and Codex, designed specifically for developers with features like code writing, Diff inline editing, PR reviews, and Computer Use.
Existing Codex users can seamlessly transition to the new app with all their data and settings intact. They can set Codex as their default view, retain the Codex icon for the desktop app, and even access Codex projects from the mobile ChatGPT app. The original ChatGPT desktop app has been renamed "ChatGPT Classic" for users who prefer the old interface.
Merging Codex into ChatGPT brings tangible improvements: powered by GPT-5.6, Codex's professional workflows are faster and more cost-effective. Developers benefit from new project management features, allowing multiple independent dialogs within the same local folder to avoid context pollution. Free users can access all three modes on the desktop, while the Work mode's web and mobile versions will be available to paid users in the future.
For users facing issues post-update: if Codex is missing, check the "Projects" section in the left sidebar or switch the default view via settings. Those using the Codex VS Code plugin should verify their account login status and quota (available in the OpenAI account backend, not the plugin panel). A fix for Codex's log writing issue is included in versions released after June 22, 2026—updating to these versions reduces unnecessary local disk writes.
Sources
- Sina CJ Tech: Article on Codex-ChatGPT Merge