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How I think about Codex

sourceSimon Willison
calendar_todayFebruary 22, 2026
schedule2 min read
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Decoding Codex: Understanding OpenAI's Software Engineering Agent

Summary

This article provides insights from Gabriel Chua, a Developer Experience Engineer at OpenAI, on the complexities surrounding the term "Codex" within the OpenAI ecosystem. Codex is described as a software engineering agent that combines a model, instructions, and tools to execute tasks.

Key Points

  • Codex is OpenAI’s software engineering agent, available through various interfaces.
  • It consists of three main components: Model, Harness, and Surfaces.
  • The Harness is defined as the collection of instructions and tools, which is open source and available in the openai/codex repository.
  • Codex models are specifically trained in conjunction with the Codex harness, enhancing their operational capabilities.
  • Tool use, execution loops, compaction, and iterative verification are integral to the model's learning process.
  • The article highlights the importance of understanding how the model interacts with tools and recovers from failures.

Analysis

The insights shared by Gabriel Chua shed light on the architecture and functionality of Codex, emphasizing its structured approach to software engineering tasks. This understanding is crucial for IT professionals looking to leverage AI-assisted programming tools effectively.

Conclusion

IT professionals should familiarize themselves with the components of Codex to optimize their use of AI in software development. Engaging with the open-source harness can provide valuable insights into enhancing programming efficiency.