Compare
Codex vs Claude Code: which AI coding agent should you use?
Pick Codex if you want coding, cloud tasks and pull-request review in the ChatGPT app, or you're switching: OpenAI says its desktop app imports your setup and recent work from Claude Code, Cowork and Cursor. Pick Claude Code if you want a terminal-first agent with hooks, skills and CLAUDE.md, Code Review depth you set per repository, and Slack hand-offs through Claude Tag (pages read Oct 21, 2026).
By Found Motive · Published · Latest claim verified . We have not tested these tools ourselves. How to read the labels.
Disclosure. Found Motive has no affiliate links on this page and earns nothing from the tools on it. Where we do have an affiliate link, it is marked next to the link and does not change what we say. How we handle affiliate links.
What is the difference between Codex and Claude Code?
Both are coding agents that read your repo, edit files and run commands. According to the vendors (checked Oct 21, 2026), Codex is OpenAI's: you sign in with ChatGPT or an API key, and its usage is shared with ChatGPT Work. Claude Code is Anthropic's: you sign in with a Claude subscription or Console account, and its CLI and IDE plugins also support third-party providers.
OFFICIAL ChatGPT Learn: Authentication (opens in new tab) · ChatGPT Learn: Codex pricing and features (opens in new tab) · Claude Code docs: overview (opens in new tab) · Verified
Can I move my Claude Code setup to Codex?
Yes. OpenAI says that since Aug 11, 2026, the ChatGPT desktop app imports instructions, settings, skills, plugins, projects and recent work from Claude Code, Claude Cowork and Cursor, and can keep imported work in sync if you turn on automatic updates in Settings > Import. The Codex CLI can import setup and recent chats from Claude Code and Cursor with /import. Going the other way, Claude Code can read an existing AGENTS.md in place of CLAUDE.md (checked Oct 21, 2026).
OFFICIAL ChatGPT Learn: changelog (opens in new tab) · Claude Code docs: overview (opens in new tab) · Verified
Which one is safer to run on my machine?
Codex sandboxes by default: OpenAI says spawned commands such as git and test runners inherit the sandbox, using Seatbelt on macOS and a native sandbox in PowerShell on Windows. Claude Code's sandbox is off by default; turn it on with /sandbox or a settings flag. On native Windows, Claude Code runs commands unsandboxed, so Anthropic points you to WSL2.
OFFICIAL ChatGPT Learn: Sandbox (opens in new tab) · Claude Code docs: sandboxing (opens in new tab) · Verified
Can I undo what the agent did?
Claude Code has checkpoints: run /rewind, or press Esc twice, to restore code, the conversation or both to an earlier prompt, though Anthropic says edits made by Bash commands aren't tracked. OpenAI's Codex docs say to create Git checkpoints before and after a task so you can revert changes. With either tool, commit before you start (checked Oct 21, 2026).
OFFICIAL Claude Code docs: checkpointing (opens in new tab) · ChatGPT Learn: Codex CLI (opens in new tab) · Verified
Do they read the same project instructions file?
They can. OpenAI says Codex reads AGENTS.md files before doing any work, layering a global file with project files from the repo root down. Anthropic says Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md and, if your repo already has an AGENTS.md for other agents, can read that in place of a CLAUDE.md. Keep one AGENTS.md and both tools can use it.
OFFICIAL ChatGPT Learn: AGENTS.md (opens in new tab) · Claude Code docs: overview (opens in new tab) · Verified
Can either run on a schedule or in CI?
Both. Claude Code has cloud and desktop scheduled tasks, claude -p for scripts, and GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD. Codex has codex exec for scripts and pipelines; its scheduled tasks are created in the ChatGPT desktop app or on the web, because OpenAI says the CLI and IDE extension don't provide the Scheduled interface (checked Oct 21, 2026).
OFFICIAL Claude Code docs: overview (opens in new tab) · ChatGPT Learn: Codex CLI (opens in new tab) · ChatGPT Learn: Scheduled tasks (opens in new tab) · Verified
Which one reviews pull requests and works from Slack?
Both. OpenAI's Code Review plugin lets Codex read pull-request summaries and diffs, review findings and discuss changes, and Codex Security Cloud scans GitHub repositories on demand or on a schedule and prepares proposed fixes. Claude Code's Code Review lets owners choose Quick, Standard (the default) or Deep for the organization, and give individual repositories their own level. In Slack, Claude Tag lets Team and Enterprise plans tag Claude and delegate tasks; OpenAI lists @Codex in Slack (checked Oct 21, 2026).
OFFICIAL OpenAI help: ChatGPT release notes (opens in new tab) · Claude Code changelog (opens in new tab) · Claude help: release notes (opens in new tab) · ChatGPT Learn: changelog (opens in new tab) · Verified
Which one works better on Windows?
Both install natively. OpenAI says Codex uses a native Windows sandbox when it runs in PowerShell, and the Linux sandbox in WSL2. Anthropic offers PowerShell, CMD and WinGet installs for Claude Code, but its sandbox runs only on macOS, Linux and WSL2; on native Windows, Claude Code runs commands unsandboxed (checked Oct 21, 2026).
OFFICIAL ChatGPT Learn: Sandbox (opens in new tab) · Claude Code docs: overview (opens in new tab) · Claude Code docs: sandboxing (opens in new tab) · Verified
What changed recently?
On OpenAI's side: Codex Cloud, a Code Review plugin and Codex Security Cloud arrived on Sep 29, 2026; Composer predictions, which suggest your next message, went into beta for personal Pro users aged 18+ on Oct 9; and Codex CLI 0.163.0 (Oct 15) added a searchable /config and lets you steer Codex mid-response. GPT-5.5 retired from Codex with ChatGPT sign-in on Oct 14. On Anthropic's side, Claude Code 2.1.304 (Oct 19) added /auto-mode-setup, a guided setup for auto mode, and Code Review levels: Quick, Standard or Deep (checked Oct 21, 2026).
OFFICIAL OpenAI help: ChatGPT release notes (opens in new tab) · ChatGPT Learn: changelog (opens in new tab) · GitHub: Codex CLI 0.163.0 release (opens in new tab) · Claude Code changelog (opens in new tab) · Verified
Which is better if I don't code?
Neither is a no-code app builder: both work on a code repository and show you diffs to review. If you want a hosted app built from plain English, see our AI app builder comparison. If your output is documents and spreadsheets rather than code, compare Claude Code with Cowork, Anthropic's agent for knowledge work.
Comparison
| Feature | CodexOpenAI | Claude CodeAnthropic |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in | Sign in with ChatGPT or an API key; Codex cloud requires ChatGPT sign-in. | Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account; the CLI, VS Code and JetBrains also support third-party providers. |
| Surfaces | ChatGPT desktop app, web, CLI, IDE extension and iOS. | Terminal, VS Code and Cursor, JetBrains, desktop app, web and the Claude mobile apps. |
| IDEs | Extension for VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf; Xcode and JetBrains IDEs have their own Codex integrations. | Extension for VS Code and Cursor; plugin for JetBrains IDEs (needs the CLI). |
| Install (CLI) | curl script (macOS, Linux), PowerShell script, npm (@openai/codex) or Homebrew. | curl script (macOS, Linux, WSL), PowerShell, CMD, Homebrew, WinGet, or apt, dnf and apk. |
| Sandbox by default | On: the default permissions mode applies sandboxing automatically. | Off: enable it with /sandbox or sandbox.enabled in settings. |
| Native Windows | Native Windows sandbox in PowerShell; Linux sandbox in WSL2. | Commands run unsandboxed; use WSL2 for the sandbox. |
| Project instructions | AGENTS.md, global and per directory. | CLAUDE.md, or an existing AGENTS.md, plus auto memory. |
| Extensions | Skills, plugins and MCP servers. | Skills, hooks and MCP servers. |
| Parallel work | Subagents for focused side investigations. | Subagents, background agents and the Agent SDK. |
| Scripting and CI | codex exec for scripts and pipelines. | claude -p, GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD. |
| Scheduled tasks | From the ChatGPT desktop app or web; not managed from the CLI or IDE. | Cloud scheduled tasks, desktop scheduled tasks and /loop. |
| Switching in | Desktop app imports setup and recent work from Claude Code, Claude Cowork and Cursor; the CLI has /import. | Reads an existing AGENTS.md in place of CLAUDE.md. |
| Cloud tasks | Codex Cloud: each task gets an isolated workspace and can continue while your computer is asleep. | Cloud scheduled tasks keep running even when your computer is off. |
| Pull-request review | Code Review plugin on desktop and web; Codex Security Cloud scans GitHub repos on demand or on a schedule. | Code Review with Quick, Standard (default) or Deep levels, per organization or repository. |
| Slack | @Codex in Slack. | Claude Tag: Team and Enterprise plans tag Claude in Slack to delegate tasks. |
| Undo | Docs advise Git checkpoints before and after a task. | /rewind checkpoints; changes made by Bash commands aren't tracked. |
| CLI licence | Apache-2.0 open-source repository. | We did not check Claude Code's licence. |
| Plans that include it | ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise; on Free and Go, the desktop app only, subject to rollout. | Paid Claude plans (not Free), or an Anthropic Console account. |
Pick X if…
| Pick | …if you |
|---|---|
| Codex | want coding, cloud tasks and pull-request review in one ChatGPT app, are moving over from Claude Code, Cowork or Cursor (the desktop app imports your setup), or want the sandbox on without setup, including in PowerShell on Windows. |
| Claude Code | want a terminal-first agent with hooks, skills and CLAUDE.md, want Code Review depth you set per repository, want cloud scheduled tasks you can start from the CLI, or your team hands work to Claude in Slack with Claude Tag. |
Try both if you're undecided: Claude Code can read an existing AGENTS.md in place of CLAUDE.md, so one instructions file works for both.
Free prompts to test both
Explain the project UNTESTED TEMPLATE
Explain this project: entry points, how to run tests, and the 3 riskiest files. Don't edit anything.
Tests first UNTESTED TEMPLATE
Write failing tests for [function], then make them pass. Show me the diff before you commit.
TODO triage UNTESTED TEMPLATE
Find every TODO in this repo, group them by area, and draft a GitHub issue for the top 3.
Approval behaviour UNTESTED TEMPLATE
Before running any command that touches the network or files outside this folder, stop and ask me.
Shared instructions UNTESTED TEMPLATE
Write an AGENTS.md for this repo from what you can infer, with the file you inferred each rule from.
Put it to work
What we have not verified
- Benchmarks: we publish none, and we have not run our own test of either tool.
- Real-world usage limits: OpenAI publishes per-five-hour estimates; Anthropic publishes no per-message figures. Forum reports about limits are user reports, so we left them out.
- Claims about raised Claude Code weekly limits: we found none on an Anthropic page, so we left them out.
- How well the Codex import carries over hooks and custom settings: we have not tried it.
- Whether Codex has a built-in undo command: the OpenAI docs we read recommend Git checkpoints instead.
- Claude Code's licence.
Quick answers
Is Codex better than Claude Code?
Neither wins outright. Pick by how you work: Codex if you want coding, cloud tasks and review inside the ChatGPT app or are switching from Claude Code, Cowork or Cursor; Claude Code if you want a terminal-first agent with hooks, skills and CLAUDE.md. We have not run our own benchmark.
Can I import my Claude Code setup into Codex?
Yes. OpenAI says the ChatGPT desktop app imports instructions, settings, skills, plugins, projects and recent work from Claude Code, Claude Cowork and Cursor, and the Codex CLI has /import for Claude Code and Cursor (checked Oct 21, 2026).
Does Claude Code work on Windows?
Yes. Anthropic offers PowerShell, CMD and WinGet installs, but the sandbox runs only on macOS, Linux and WSL2; on native Windows, Claude Code runs commands unsandboxed (checked Oct 21, 2026).
Can I use Codex and Claude Code on the same repo?
Yes. Both work on a local repository. Keep one AGENTS.md (Claude Code can read it in place of CLAUDE.md), commit before each task, and don't run both on the same files at once.
Which is safer by default?
Codex: OpenAI says its default permissions mode applies sandboxing automatically. Claude Code's sandbox is off until you run /sandbox or set sandbox.enabled in settings (checked Oct 21, 2026).
Do Codex and Claude Code share an instructions file?
They can. Codex reads AGENTS.md, and Anthropic says Claude Code can read an existing AGENTS.md in place of a CLAUDE.md.
Where did the Codex docs go?
To learn.chatgpt.com. Old developers.openai.com/codex links now redirect there (we checked on Oct 21, 2026); for example, the CLI docs are at learn.chatgpt.com/docs/codex/cli.
More comparisons
Get the weekly roundup
Playbooks, new features and tool comparisons, in one short email every Thursday.