ThreadlinesvsCodex app
A Codex app alternative that runs other agents too
OpenAI's Codex app is now a mode in the ChatGPT desktop app, with Codex Cloud, computer use and a pull request inbox. Threadlines runs the same Codex with your ChatGPT sign-in. It's free and open source, and Claude Code or another agent can work in the same thread.
| Feature | Threadlines | Codex app |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Yes:macOS, Windows, Linux | Yes:macOS, Windows, Linux in preview |
| Price | Yes:Free app, your ChatGPT plan | Yes:Part of ChatGPT, from the free plan |
| Open source | Yes:MIT license | No:Closed, the Codex CLI is open source |
| Agents | Codex, Claude Code and seven more, plus community agents | Codex only |
| Two agents in one chat | Yes:Codex and Claude Code together | No:Codex subagents only |
| Your other computers | Yes:Agents start threads where the project is set up | Yes:SSH hosts, hand a chat to another Mac or PC |
| Scheduled and event tasks | Yes:On a schedule, a GitHub issue or a webhook | Yes:Schedules, plus events on web and phone |
| Git worktree per task | Yes:Per thread | Yes:Optional per chat |
| Pull requests and CI | Yes:Beside the thread | Yes:A pull request inbox with checks |
| Built-in browser | Yes:Built in | Yes:Built in, plus computer use |
| Cloud agents | No:Agents run on your computers | Yes:Codex Cloud on Plus and up |
| Phone | Yes:Home Screen web app with alerts | Yes:The ChatGPT app, with alerts |
Pick Threadlines if
- You want Codex and Claude Code in the same thread.
- You want an open-source app.
- You also use OpenCode, Cursor, Grok, Pi or another agent.
- You want tasks that start from a GitHub issue or a webhook on your own computer.
Pick Codex app if
- You want tasks to keep going in Codex Cloud with your computer off.
- You want computer use, or ChatGPT's chat in the same app.
- You want a native phone app.
Questions
Is the Codex app part of ChatGPT now?
Yes. On July 9 OpenAI merged the Codex app into the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS and Windows, where Codex is a mode beside chat. A Linux version has been in preview since August.
Does Threadlines use my ChatGPT plan?
Yes. It runs the Codex CLI with your ChatGPT sign-in, so it counts against the same limits. An OpenAI API key works too, and that bills per token.
Can I use both?
Yes. They're separate apps. Threadlines runs the Codex CLI, which reads the same Codex config, so your MCP servers and settings come along.
We checked these facts about Codex app on October 29, 2026, against Codex app docs, what's new, pricing, Linux app, remote connections, automations and open-source components. Something out of date? Open an issue and we'll fix it.
See every agent Threadlines runs, or Threadlines vs Conductor, or Threadlines vs T3 Code, or Threadlines vs Claude Code desktop, or Threadlines vs Orca, or Threadlines vs Paradev, or Threadlines vs Emdash.
Codex app is made by OpenAI. Threadlines is an independent open-source project and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI.