# OpenAI is updating its Codex developer environment via its Mac and Windows desktop apps.

*genai · news · 2026-04-16 · VentureBeat*

## Key points

- OpenAI Codex now enables cross-app actions, proactively surfacing and executing tasks within all local applications.
- Mac users can use Codex for multitasking with background app control while manually using their computer.
- Codex integrates a built-in browser, image generation via gpt-image-1.5, and 90+ plugins for end-to-end workflows.
- New 'Heartbeat Automations' and Memory features let Codex schedule tasks and learn user preferences over time.
- Windows users lack simultaneous background control, a feature unique to Mac at launch for Codex desktop.

**Companies:** OpenAI
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on VentureBeat](https://venturebeat.com/technology/openai-drastically-updates-codex-desktop-app-to-use-all-other-apps-on-your-computer-generate-images-preview-webpages)

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