opencode vs codex
opencode vs codex: a TypeScript, MIT-licensed terminal agent with a TUI against OpenAI's local CLI tied to ChatGPT plans.
Updated
short verdict
Pick opencode if you want a TUI with a read-only plan agent, Windows support and many install routes (Scoop, Chocolatey, Nix, pacman). Pick codex if you already pay for a ChatGPT plan and want to sign in with it, or you want IDE extensions for VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf next to the CLI.
Both tools are AI coding agents you start from a terminal. opencode is a TypeScript, MIT-licensed project built around a TUI with switchable agents, plus a beta desktop app. codex is OpenAI's local CLI, tied to ChatGPT accounts and part of a larger ecosystem of IDE extensions and a desktop app mode. The differences are mostly about interface, authentication, platform coverage and how you install each one.
this page is for
- Developers choosing a terminal AI coding agent
- Readers weighing a TUI with built-in agents against an OpenAI-account-based CLI
- Teams on Windows, Linux or macOS checking platform and install options
Better pick when you want a TUI with a read-only plan agent, Windows support, or a wide choice of package managers.
best for
- Exploring an unfamiliar codebase without edits
- Windows users
- Installing through Scoop, Chocolatey, Nix or pacman
strengths
- Press Tab to switch between the full-access build agent and the read-only plan agent
- plan denies file edits by default and asks before running bash commands
- Installs via curl script, npm/bun/pnpm/yarn, Homebrew, Scoop, Chocolatey, pacman/AUR and Nix
- Beta desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux (.deb, .rpm, .AppImage)
weaknesses
- Desktop app is labeled beta
- No ChatGPT-plan sign-in is documented, and no IDE extensions are listed
Better pick when you already have a ChatGPT plan, or want the same agent in VS Code, Cursor or Windsurf.
best for
- ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu or Enterprise subscribers
- Developers who split time between terminal and editor
strengths
- Sign in with a ChatGPT account (recommended) or set up an API key
- IDE extensions for VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf
- Desktop app mode via `codex app`
- Installs with `npm install -g @openai/codex` or `brew install --cask codex`
weaknesses
- Documented platforms are macOS (Apple Silicon, Intel) and Linux (x86_64, arm64); Windows is not listed
- No built-in read-only plan agent or Tab-switched agents are documented
Key differences
- Scope: opencode is a standalone TUI agent; codex is a CLI inside a wider Codex ecosystem with a web counterpart
- Agents: opencode ships build, plan and a general subagent; codex documents no equivalent split
- Authentication: codex signs in with a ChatGPT account or API key; opencode documents no such sign-in
- Editors: codex has VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf extensions; opencode lists none
- Platforms: opencode documents Windows, macOS and Linux; codex documents macOS and Linux
Choose opencode when
- You work on Windows and want Scoop or Chocolatey installs
- You want to plan or explore with a read-only agent before allowing edits
- You want Nix, pacman/AUR or a curl script that honors $OPENCODE_INSTALL_DIR
Choose codex when
- You want to use an existing ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu or Enterprise plan
- You want IDE extensions for VS Code, Cursor or Windsurf alongside the CLI
- You want a desktop app mode launched from the CLI with `codex app`
When not to use these
- You need an agent that runs fully offline; neither project documents offline use
- You need a plain shell utility with no AI service behind it
FAQ
- Which is faster, opencode or codex?
- Neither project documents performance figures, so there is no sourced speed comparison. Responsiveness will depend on the model and account you connect.
- Can I use opencode and codex on the same machine?
- Neither project documents a conflict. They install separately, opencode as `opencode-ai` and codex as `@openai/codex` through npm, so both can be installed.
- Which is easier to configure?
- codex lets you sign in with a ChatGPT account, which avoids API key setup. opencode points to its online docs for configuration and agent details; neither project describes its config format.
- Does codex run on Windows?
- Its documented platforms are macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux (x86_64 and arm64). Windows is not listed. opencode documents Windows, including a beta desktop app.