OpenAI is intensifying its rivalry with Anthropic in the AI coding tools space. On April 16, the company unveiled a major upgrade to its Codex platform, adding advanced agentic features that let the AI take direct control of users’ desktops.
The standout update allows Codex to run in the background on Mac computers. It can open apps, move a cursor, click, and type autonomously while users continue their own work uninterrupted.
OpenAI describes it as deploying multiple agents in parallel to handle auxiliary tasks—such as iterating on frontend changes, testing applications, or interacting with tools that lack APIs—acting like a dedicated coding buddy.
This capability mirrors features Anthropic introduced last month with Claude Code, which enables remote desktop control. Industry observers note that OpenAI appears to be playing catch-up after Claude gained traction as the preferred enterprise coding assistant.
Additional enhancements expand Codex’s versatility. A new in-app browser lets agents interact with web applications (with future plans for full browser control beyond localhost). A “memory” feature now in preview recalls previous sessions and user workflows for better context. Codex can also generate images for product concepts, mockups, and slides. It now integrates with 111 plugins, including CodeRabbit and GitLab Issues, enabling tasks like scanning Slack and Google Calendar to auto-generate daily to-do lists.
OpenAI has also introduced pay-as-you-go pricing for ChatGPT Enterprise and Business customers, offering more flexibility for heavy users.
The updates reflect OpenAI’s broader strategic shift toward enterprise-focused AI tools amid growing competition. Once dominant, the company has faced pressure from Anthropic’s rapid advances in agentic coding assistants.
Analysts say these changes position Codex as more than a coding helper—it’s evolving into a full workplace agent capable of handling complex, multi-step workflows. Early users report it could significantly boost developer productivity by offloading routine tasks.
With the AI coding war heating up, today’s announcement signals OpenAI’s determination not to cede ground to Anthropic. Businesses using these tools can expect even more seamless integration into daily operations in the coming months.
