OpenAI enhances Codex with desktop control and agentic tools to compete with Anthropic's Claude Code

OpenAI has introduced significant updates to its Codex AI coding tool, enabling it to operate in the background on Mac computers and control desktop applications with a cursor. This agentic functionality allows multiple agents to work in parallel without disrupting user activity, serving as a coding assistant for tasks like frontend iteration and testing. The company also added an in-app browser for executing commands on web applications, with plans to expand browser control capabilities. A new "memory" feature previews session recall and context generation, while image-generation abilities create product concepts and mockups. Codex now integrates with 111 plugins from apps including CodeRabbit and GitLab Issues, facilitating clerical work organization such as managing Slack channels and Google calendars. OpenAI announced a pay-as-you-go pricing option for ChatGPT enterprise and business customers. These enhancements come amid competition with Anthropic, whose Claude Code tool has gained traction for remote Mac control. OpenAI has shifted focus toward enterprise capabilities, moving away from consumer tools like Sora 2, while facing controversies including lawsuits over ChatGPT's mental health impacts. The updates were detailed in a blog post on Thursday, following TechCrunch's report last week on Claude Code's business adoption.