OpenAI upgrades Codex with desktop app control and image generation to compete with Anthropic's Claude Code

Codex now can operate desktop applications on users' computers, such as Tic Tac Toe, while working in the background without interfering with other tasks

Multiple AI agents can work in parallel, enabling more complex development workflows

New capabilities include image generation and memory retention from past experiences

The update is OpenAI's direct response to Claude Code's recent successes and escalating competition with Anthropic

OpenAI is aggressively reallocating resources to catch up in the agentic AI development space