Codex CLI or Codex App: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?
Compare Codex CLI and the Desktop App by interface, parallel work, diffs, automation, custom-provider authentication, and verification.
Contents
Codex CLI is a better fit when the work already lives in a terminal, on a remote machine, or in scripts. The Desktop App is better for several parallel tasks, visual diff review, and project management. They are two interfaces to Codex, not different models. With a custom provider, the client also affects authentication: CLI and Desktop App use one scheme, while the VS Code extension uses another.
Need the current BetterToken setup for Codex? Open the Codex guide
Codex CLI vs Codex App: short answer
| Attribute | Codex CLI | Desktop App |
|---|---|---|
| Primary interface | Terminal and TUI | Graphical application |
| Best place to run | Local or remote shell, SSH, container | Local computer, multiple projects and threads |
| Parallel tasks | Separate processes, working directories, and codex exec; check current multi-agent commands in the documentation | Several chats and projects are visible in the current release; verify availability of the specific workflow |
| Reviewing changes | Terminal diff and standard Git commands | Visual diff, comments, and opening the editor |
| Repeated work | Shell scripts and an external scheduler | The current desktop release may show scheduled tasks; availability depends on the version and workspace |
| Custom provider | Shared ~/.codex/config.toml, key through an environment variable | The same file and provider scheme; a full restart is required after changes |
| Best for | Developers with terminal workflows and remote environments | Users managing several tasks who want visual control |
According to current OpenAI help, the former Codex app becomes the new ChatGPT desktop app after updating, with Chat, Work, and a separate Codex view. Existing Codex chats and projects should remain, while Codex history stays separate from ChatGPT history. Commands, queues, worktrees, and review elements belong to the current release rather than a permanent contract; check the current desktop documentation before choosing.
Where a custom provider actually applies
BetterToken provides API access for OpenAI-compatible tools. Codex uses the official OpenAI client, a custom provider, the Base URL https://www.bettertoken.ai/v1, and the Responses protocol. BetterToken does not replace Codex itself, ChatGPT sign-in, or application installation: users work with their own BetterToken account and API key.
First identify where the task starts:
- The
codexcommand in Terminal is the CLI. - Codex in the desktop application is the Desktop App.
- The Codex panel inside VS Code is the Extension.
All three read configuration from ~/.codex/config.toml (on Windows, %USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml), but authentication differs.
| Client | How the BetterToken API key is passed | What to do after a change |
|---|---|---|
| CLI / Desktop App | The BETTERTOKEN_API_KEY variable referenced through env_key; the custom provider does not require OpenAI auth | Quit Codex completely, open a new terminal or application, and run a short task |
| VS Code Extension | Keep the official sign-in and follow the current Extension guide for its separate model-request authentication setting | Run Developer: Reload Window, open a new session, and send a short task |
Both modes use one [model_providers.custom] section. Do not put two sections with the same name in one TOML file. Choose the authentication scheme for the client you are using now. Verify exact fields and the current Model ID in the Codex CLI/Desktop App and Codex VS Code Extension guides.
The Desktop App and IDE Extension may not receive a variable defined only in a shell profile. If a new process cannot see BETTERTOKEN_API_KEY, follow the current client-specific guide for making it available, restart the client completely, and create a new session. Do not put the key in an article, screenshot, or shared repository.
How to confirm that the provider was applied
After restarting, send a short task with little context. In the CLI, open /status and inspect the current provider. For CLI, Desktop App, and VS Code, find a BetterToken Dashboard record matching the response’s time and model. That confirms the model request passed through BetterToken. An old session is unsuitable for a clean test of changed configuration.
The absence of 401, 403, or model not found is only a basic health check. Without /status or the matching Dashboard record, a successful response does not prove which provider and Base URL were used.
How the workflows differ
CLI: terminal, SSH, and reproducible commands
The CLI runs inside the current shell process. Interactive mode suits repository work, while codex exec handles non-interactive tasks and scripts. Check the installed version’s documentation for additional modes and commands. This is easier to integrate into an SSH session, container, CI check, or existing command set.
Parallel work is possible, but you usually organize directories, processes, and results yourself. If two tasks must not modify the same working copy, use separate worktrees or directories and review the diff before merging.
Desktop App: projects, threads, and visual diffs
The separate Codex view in the current ChatGPT desktop app brings tasks and projects into a graphical interface. Depending on the version, parallel tasks, worktrees, and change review may be available. These are useful for concurrent work, but individual interface elements are not a permanent contract.
Desktop availability, names, and interface locations can change with updates; check the current official download page before installing or updating.
What to choose for a specific workflow
Choose CLI if
- your primary interface is Terminal, SSH, or a container;
- you need
codex exec, shell scripts, and external scheduling; - a reproducible command sequence matters;
- you are prepared to manage parallel working directories yourself.
Choose Desktop App if
- several tasks or projects run concurrently;
- reviewing diffs and comments in a graphical interface is easier;
- the required worktrees and results are available in one place in the current version;
- the task starts with a document, research, or an operational process rather than a terminal command.
Use both interfaces if
Use CLI for remote machines and automation, and the Desktop App for management and visual review. The official migration preserves existing Codex chats and projects, while Codex history stays separate from ChatGPT. Before every run, explicitly verify the current client, account, provider, configuration, working directory, and permissions.
Common provider mistakes
It works in CLI but not in VS Code
CLI/Desktop App and the Extension use different authentication fields. Do not copy an env_key scheme into the Extension as a complete solution, and do not overwrite official auth.json with a BetterToken API key. Open the Extension-specific guide and run Reload Window.
Codex asks for an official sign-in again
For a clean custom provider in CLI/Desktop App, confirm that the new Codex process can access BETTERTOKEN_API_KEY. For the Extension, the official sign-in remains, and a separate field supplies the key for model requests.
Provider not found
The value model_provider = "custom" must match the [model_providers.custom] section name. Remove duplicate sections and confirm that wire_api = "responses".
The configuration saved, but nothing changed
Quit the old process, open a new terminal or run Reload Window, then create a new session. If the App cannot see a key defined in the shell, follow the current client guide and restart it completely. If the error persists, check Model ID, API key, Base URL, and authentication mode one at a time.
Final choice
Choose Codex CLI for terminals, SSH, scripts, and direct process management. Choose the Codex view in the ChatGPT desktop app for graphical management and visual review when the required features are available in the installed version. For a custom provider, choose the client first, apply its authentication scheme, and confirm the result in a short new session.
Find current BetterToken parameters in the Codex guide; for VS Code, use the separate Extension guide.
