To bring artificial intelligence even closer to the programming process, OpenAI has introduced a new tool called Codex CLI. This tool runs directly in the terminal (command line) on developers’ computers and allows them to use AI to write code, edit it, and perform basic commands.
Codex CLI works with OpenAI’s newly released o3 and o4-mini models. Through this tool, AI can not only write code but also carry out basic system operations, such as moving files.
This innovation is seen as a step toward OpenAI’s future vision of the “agentic programmer” – a concept where, in the future, AI tools will be able to build and test fully functional applications based solely on a user’s description. While Codex CLI hasn’t reached that level yet, it’s considered an important beginning in that direction.
Using AI to write code is not yet completely safe. Some studies show that AI-based code generation tools can fail to detect security vulnerabilities and might even introduce new bugs. For this reason, caution is advised when using these tools, especially on projects that involve sensitive data or critical systems.
Codex CLI can be a useful assistant for both experienced developers and those new to programming. The tool is open-source, meaning anyone can inspect, modify, and improve its code. This transparency could help it become more widely adopted among developers.
In short, Codex CLI represents a step forward in integrating AI more deeply into programming tools, and marks meaningful progress toward the future of fully automated software development.
