OpenAI turns Codex into super app, Sam Altman takes cheeky dig at Anthropic

OpenAI has released a massive update to its coding tool, Codex. The Codex app will now function almost like a super app with a lot more features than just writing code. Codex can now access any app on your computer, run them autonomously, and complete tasks.

This update to Codex came just hours after Anthropic unveiled Claude Opus 4.7, its latest AI model. Following the Codex release, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took a subtle dig at his chief competitor on X.

Sam Altman takes a dig at Anthropic

Altman quoted a post from Codex chief, Thibault ‘Tibo’ Sottiaux, on X. He claimed that he didn’t want Codex users to get reduced limits following the update. Altman wrote, “I am happy everyone is switching to Codex, but Tibo if you start rate limiting me or making me use worse models”

While Sam Altman did not name Anthropic, he was likely taking a dig at the Dario Amodei-led firm. Anthropic has faced scrutiny online in recent weeks after Claude Code users found that they were reaching the limits of their plan much faster than before. Anthropic later suggested that some users should switch to less powerful models to make more use of their limits.

Codex’s latest update puts it a step closer to Claude Code when it comes to automated workflows.

There is no love lost between the two companies. Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have often been at odds. The two infamously refused to join hands during the India AI Impact Summit earlier this year.

What is the Codex update?

Codex can now do a lot more. The update includes background computer use on macOS. This allows Codex to operate apps on the device by clicking and typing autonomously without needing your supervision.

The coding agent now gets a lot more functionality than just coding. The update brings an in-app browser as well as support image generation via gpt-image-1.5. That is, you can make AI write code, create images, and browse through websites all in one-go. For context, Claude Code cannot generate images.

Codex can now run automations too. As per OpenAI, the app can “schedule future work and wake up automatically to continue long-term tasks.”

Additionally, OpenAI has integrated over 90 plugins, including those from Atlassian, CircleCI, and Microsoft Suite, giving Codex more tools to use.

OpenAI wants Codex to be your work agent

The company is pushing for Codex as a lot more than just a tool to code. According to OpenAI, Codex can now serve as your work agent, which can even create product concepts, front-end designs, gaming assets, and more.

Do note that OpenAI is not the only company working on such a product. Anthropic has already added features such as computer use and remote work to Claude Code, which can work autonomously in the background.

OpenAI has seen relative success with Codex. The company claims that its coding tool already boasts over 3 million active users. The latest updates for Codex are rolling out to Codex desktop app users signed in with ChatGPT.