# Shuriken vs the Codex app (2026) > The Codex app is OpenAI's own, with Cloud tasks and schedules. Shuriken runs Codex beside Claude Code and 65 more agents, across your ChatGPT accounts. Source: https://shuriken.sh/compare/codex-app The Codex app is OpenAI's own, included with every ChatGPT plan, with Cloud tasks, scheduled work and Codex on your phone; use it if Codex is your only agent and one account is enough. Shuriken runs Codex beside other agents on your own machines, and moves your chats between your ChatGPT accounts when one runs out. By Shuriken Updated 27 October 2026 6 min read **Contents** We make Shuriken. We tried to be fair; corrections welcome at office@shuriken.sh. ## Quick answer # The Codex app is OpenAI's own: Codex inside the ChatGPT desktop app, included with every ChatGPT plan, with Cloud tasks, scheduled work and Codex on your phone. If Codex is your only agent and one ChatGPT account is enough, use it. Shuriken runs Codex next to Claude Code, Gemini CLI and 64 more agents on your own machines, and moves your chats between your ChatGPT accounts when one runs out. A naming note: OpenAI now documents "the Codex app" as the ChatGPT desktop app, where you choose ChatGPT or Codex ([OpenAI](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app)). We call it the Codex app here because that's what people search for. ## At a glance # OpenAI facts are from its docs, read on 2026-10-22. Each cell links to the page. | | The Codex app | Shuriken | | --- | --- | --- | | Platforms | macOS, Windows; Linux in preview ([app](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app), [Linux](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/linux/linux-app)) | macOS 13+ (Apple silicon), Windows 10/11 (x64), Linux (x64 and Arm), headless servers | | Agents | Codex ([app](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app)) | 67: Codex, Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Copilot, Cursor, OpenCode, Amp… | | Where tasks run | Local, Worktree, or Cloud from a published environment ([modes](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/environments/modes)) | Your computers and servers; the cloud only relays | | Isolation | Worktree mode keeps changes in a git worktree ([modes](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/environments/modes)) | A git worktree and branch per chat if you want one, plus a Main chat | | Several ChatGPT accounts | One active account; check it in the profile menu or with codex login status ([auth](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/auth)) | Every ChatGPT sign-in you own, each a source | | Moves a chat when an account runs out | Not documented ([auth](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/auth)) | Yes: when the turn ends, or straight away if a limit stops it | | Phone | Codex on mobile in the ChatGPT iOS app, connected to a Mac or Windows PC or Cloud; rollout-dependent ([mobile](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/mobile)) | Web app in any phone browser; native iOS and Android apps planned for November 2026 | | Price | Included in ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise; API keys for the CLI and IDE extension ([pricing](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/pricing)) | Free, or Pro at €49 a month, on top of your own plans | ## What the Codex app does well # It's OpenAI's. The team that makes Codex makes the app, and there's no extra subscription: Codex is included in every ChatGPT plan from Free to Enterprise ([pricing](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/pricing)). An API key works for the Codex CLI and IDE extension, billed at API rates. Cloud mode is native. A Cloud task starts in its own workspace from a published, reusable environment, so it runs while your laptop is shut. OpenAI is clear about the trade-off: a cloud task only sees the files and services in that environment, not your local files, browser sign-ins or VPN ([modes](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/environments/modes)). Worktrees and local work. Local mode works in your project folder; Worktree mode isolates changes in a git worktree so your checkout stays untouched. How those worktrees are made, kept and cleaned up, in the app and the CLI, is in [Codex worktrees](https://shuriken.sh/guides/codex-worktrees-parallel-agents). Scheduled tasks. Create a standalone scheduled task, or schedule one inside an existing chat ([app](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app)). A full workspace. OpenAI lists an integrated terminal, a browser, skills and plugins, and GitHub and GitLab (beta) integrations ([features](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/features)). Codex on your phone. From the ChatGPT app on iOS you can follow progress, approve actions and send instructions to a connected computer or a Cloud task ([mobile](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/mobile)). Pairing the phone with your computer, step by step: [Codex remote control from your phone](https://shuriken.sh/guides/codex-remote-control-from-phone). Linux arrived. The ChatGPT desktop app, Codex included, is in preview on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch, x64 and ARM64 ([Linux](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/linux/linux-app)). Shuriken runs Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI and 64 more agents side by side, with your own sign-ins. [Download](https://shuriken.sh/download) ## Where Shuriken is different # ### Codex next to everything else # If you use Codex for one kind of task and Claude Code for another, in Shuriken they sit in the same project, the same sidebar and the same queue, along with [65 more agents](https://shuriken.sh/features/coding-agents): Gemini CLI, Copilot, Cursor, OpenCode, Amp, goose, Aider and the rest. Each uses the sign-ins you already have. For a straight comparison of the two agents, see [Claude Code vs Codex](https://shuriken.sh/compare/claude-code-vs-codex). ### Several ChatGPT accounts, switched for you # Codex stores its sign-in in auth.json under CODEX_HOME (~/.codex by default) or in your system's credential store, and OpenAI's docs show how to check which account is active, not how to move a chat when it runs out ([auth](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/auth)). By hand, that means [one CODEX_HOME per account](https://shuriken.sh/guides/codex-cli-switch-account); the desktop apps and CLIs people built to switch it are compared in [Codex account switchers](https://shuriken.sh/compare/codex-account-switchers). In Shuriken you add each ChatGPT sign-in you own as a source. Shuriken reads how much each one has left. When the account in use reaches your switch point (99% by default, adjustable from 50% to 100%) or OpenAI reports a limit, your Codex chats move to the account with the most room and carry on, on every device at once. One honest detail: a Codex chat changes account when its current turn ends. The turn that crossed your switch point finishes where it started; the next turn starts on the new account, in the same chat. If OpenAI cuts the turn off with a limit first, the chat moves right then. [Codex with more than one ChatGPT account](https://shuriken.sh/blog/codex-multiple-chatgpt-accounts) has the details and a diagram. An OpenAI API key can be a source too. Keys are a last resort you turn on ("Switch to API keys" is off by default): they take chats only once every subscription is out, and a spend cap per fallback run, $25 by default and counted across every key the run uses, stops it there. Only add accounts you own and are entitled to use. OpenAI's [Terms of Use](https://openai.com/policies/terms-of-use/) say you may not share your account credentials or make your account available to anyone else. ### Your machines, including servers # Instead of a vendor cloud, Shuriken's always-on answer is a server you own. Add one from Settings › Devices on Linux, macOS or Windows. The installer sets up the agent CLIs and GitHub sign-in, runs as a service and updates itself only to signed releases. Your Codex tasks there see your real files and your real network. ### Shared MCP servers # [Global MCPs](https://shuriken.sh/features/global-mcps) give Codex and Claude Code the same MCP servers: each chat is handed them when it starts, and each server's sign-in happens once, for every project and account, and follows you to your other computers. ### Voice, browser and keeping awake # Dictate privately (by default your speech is turned into text on your own computer), and paste mid-sentence where you were. Point at a page element in the built-in browser and describe the change. On a Mac, Cocaine mode keeps the machine working with the lid closed. ## Pricing # The Codex app costs nothing on top of a ChatGPT plan. OpenAI lists Free ($0), Go ($8 a month), Plus ($20 a month), Pro (from $100 a month), Business ($20 per user a month billed yearly, $25 monthly), and Edu and Enterprise through sales ([pricing](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/pricing)). Shuriken uses those same plans. Its Free plan has no card and isn't a trial: two sources and two linked devices, every agent and switching. Pro is €49 a month or €490 a year (2 months free), VAT included for EU consumers, for unlimited sources and devices. Shuriken never bills model usage. Codex limits are OpenAI's, and they change: we keep a dated page on [Codex usage limits](https://shuriken.sh/guides/codex-usage-limits). ## Using them together # This one is easy. Both run Codex on your ChatGPT plan against your repo. Keep the Codex app for Cloud tasks and Codex on your phone; use Shuriken when Codex shares a project with Claude Code or Gemini, when one ChatGPT account isn't enough, or when the work should run on a server you own. When you want to try it, [download Shuriken](https://shuriken.sh/download). Share [X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshuriken.sh%2Fcompare%2Fcodex-app&text=Shuriken%20vs%20the%20Codex%20app%20(2026))[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshuriken.sh%2Fcompare%2Fcodex-app)[Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/submitlink?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshuriken.sh%2Fcompare%2Fcodex-app&t=Shuriken%20vs%20the%20Codex%20app%20(2026))[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshuriken.sh%2Fcompare%2Fcodex-app&title=Shuriken%20vs%20the%20Codex%20app%20(2026))[E-mail](mailto:?subject=Shuriken%20vs%20the%20Codex%20app%20(2026)&body=https%3A%2F%2Fshuriken.sh%2Fcompare%2Fcodex-app) ## Sources - [OpenAI: ChatGPT desktop app (Codex app docs)](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI: Codex modes](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/environments/modes) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI: Codex features](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/features) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI: ChatGPT desktop app for Linux](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/linux/linux-app) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI: Codex on mobile](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/mobile) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI: Codex pricing](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/pricing) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI: Codex authentication](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/auth) (accessed 22 October 2026) - [OpenAI Terms of Use](https://openai.com/policies/terms-of-use/) (accessed 22 October 2026) ## Frequently asked questions **Can I use the Codex app on Linux?** Yes, in preview. OpenAI's Linux page lists the ChatGPT desktop app, with Codex, for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch on x64 and ARM64 (read 2026-10-22). The Codex CLI runs on Linux too, and so does Shuriken. **Can I use several ChatGPT accounts with Codex?** Codex signs in to one ChatGPT account at a time; OpenAI's docs show how to check which one is active, not how to switch at a limit. Shuriken keeps each ChatGPT sign-in you own as a source and moves Codex chats to the next when one runs out. **When does a Codex chat change account in Shuriken?** When its current turn ends, or straight away if OpenAI stops the turn with a limit. Claude Code chats move sooner, on their next request. **Can I use the Codex app and Shuriken together?** Yes. Both run Codex on your ChatGPT plan. Use OpenAI's app for Cloud tasks and Codex on your phone, and Shuriken when you want Codex beside Claude Code or across several accounts. **Does Shuriken have a Cloud mode like Codex?** No. Shuriken runs agents on your own computers and servers. For always-on work you add a server you own; Shuriken's cloud only links devices and relays encrypted messages. Every coding agent 67 coding agents, one harness. Run Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI and the rest on your own computers, with the sign-ins you already have. [Download](https://shuriken.sh/download) [Other platforms](https://shuriken.sh/download#main) ## Keep reading - [AGENTS.md vs CLAUDE.md: one file for every agent?: Comparison 27 Oct 2026 6 min read AGENTS.md vs CLAUDE.md: Codex reads AGENTS.md, Claude Code reads it when there is no CLAUDE.md or through @AGENTS.md, Gemini CLI once you list it.](https://shuriken.sh/compare/agents-md-vs-claude-md) - [Shuriken vs Cursor agents (2026): Comparison 27 Oct 2026 5 min read Cursor's cloud agents run in Cursor's VMs, billed to a Cursor plan. Shuriken runs the agents you pick on your own machines, on your own plans. Compared.](https://shuriken.sh/compare/cursor) - [Gemini CLI alternatives after the June 2026 change: Comparison 27 Oct 2026 7 min read Gemini CLI alternatives by sign-in: Antigravity CLI for a personal Google account, a paid key to keep Gemini CLI, or Claude Code, Codex and Qwen Code.](https://shuriken.sh/compare/gemini-cli-alternatives) - [Shuriken and OpenCode: use them together: Comparison 27 Oct 2026 6 min read OpenCode is an open-source coding agent with its own desktop app. Shuriken is a harness that runs it next to Claude Code and Codex, on your machines.](https://shuriken.sh/compare/opencode) ## Free tools - [Claude limit reset tracker](https://shuriken.sh/tools/limit-resets/claude) - [Codex limit reset tracker](https://shuriken.sh/tools/limit-resets/codex)