Codex CLI
OpenAI's lightweight coding agent for the terminal, written in Rust, with sandboxed command execution and IDE integrations.
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, CLI
- Own API keys
- Yes
- Checked
- 2026-09-24
Codex CLI works with OpenAI-compatible APIs. Grab a free key and a model from the catalog: for coding · for agents · providers and base URLs
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FAQ
Is Codex CLI free?
The CLI is open source; sign in with a ChatGPT plan or use an API key. It can also be pointed at other OpenAI-compatible providers or local models (e.g. via Ollama).
Does Codex CLI work with free models?
Yes. It supports your own keys and OpenAI-compatible APIs, so you can plug in free models from OpenRouter, Groq, NVIDIA Build, or a local Ollama.
What license does Codex CLI use?
Apache-2.0. The source code is open.