OpenAI has launched a macOS app for its Codex coding agent, enhancing its usability with a user-friendly interface and new features like Skills and Automations for scheduled tasks. The app, built using Electron and Node.js, stores automation states in a SQLite database, which users can explore with tools like Datasette Lite. Recent usage statistics reveal a significant increase: since the introduction of GPT-5.2-Codex in December, Codex usage has doubled, with over a million developers engaging with it in the past month. Currently, Automations can only run when the laptop is on, but OpenAI plans to implement cloud-based automations soon to eliminate this limitation. The choice of Electron allows for future expansion to other operating systems, with a Windows version expected shortly. OpenAI's Alexander Embiricos mentioned that solid sandboxing on Windows is taking longer due to the operating system's limitations. Unlike Claude Code, which rebranded to Cowork, Codex retains its name while broadening its functionality beyond coding. For a limited time, OpenAI is offering Codex to free and Go plan users, with plans to double rate limits for paying users during this period. This move reflects OpenAI's strategy to position Codex as a versatile tool for various technical and knowledge work tasks, not just coding.