Codex Surfaces and Task Routing

Choose between Codex app, CLI, IDE extension, worktrees, and cloud based on task shape and risk.

45 min

5 sections

codex

cli

ide

cloud

worktrees

01. Codex is a multi-surface coding agent

Section 1 of 5

Codex is not just a chat box. Official OpenAI docs describe Codex as a coding agent available across the app, CLI, IDE extension, and cloud/web environments. The important skill is task routing: choose the surface based on risk, duration, context, and review needs.

text

Task -> best Codex surface
Explain unfamiliar repository -> CLI or IDE chat
Small edit near selected code -> IDE extension
Parallel experiment -> app Worktree thread
Long migration -> cloud delegation
Visual UI fix -> app with in-app browser
Pre-commit review -> CLI /review or app review
Recurring report or audit -> app automation

Codex Controls, Context, and Subagents

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