> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://edgeful.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# how to set up Codex ChatGPT

> from nothing installed to Codex running on your Mac or Windows PC, about 10 minutes. then connect the edgeful API.

already have Codex running? skip this page and go straight to [set up API with your AI agent](/getting-started/set-it-up-with-ai) to paste the prompt.

<Warning>
  use the Codex that runs on your computer, not the one inside chatgpt.com. the browser version runs in OpenAI's cloud and can't touch your files or your edgeful key. the desktop app and the terminal app below both run locally, which is what you need.
</Warning>

first, the one thing you must have: a **paid ChatGPT plan** — Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, or Enterprise, the same login you use for chatgpt.com. your plan covers Codex, so you don't need a separate API key. Codex is free to install.

there are two ways to run Codex on your machine. the **desktop app** is easiest if you've never touched a terminal. the **terminal app** is there if you'd rather work that way. pick one, you don't need both.

## the easy way: the Codex desktop app

<Steps>
  <Step title="download and open it">
    1. go to <a href="https://developers.openai.com/codex/app" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">developers.openai.com/codex/app</a> and download the app for your computer (Mac or Windows).
    2. **on Mac:** open the downloaded file and drag **Codex** into your **Applications** folder, then open it. **on Windows:** the download goes through the Microsoft Store, click **Get**, then launch Codex from the Start menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="sign in with ChatGPT">
    when the app opens, choose **Sign in with ChatGPT**. your browser opens — log in with your paid ChatGPT account, approve, and you're sent back. no API key needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="open your project folder">
    choose **Local** mode (so Codex works on your computer, not in the cloud), then pick or create an empty folder to work in — name it `edgeful`. that's it, skip ahead to "you're ready" below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## prefer the terminal? the Codex app for your terminal

skip this whole section if you used the desktop app above. otherwise, this installs Codex into your terminal.

<Steps>
  <Step title="install Codex">
    **on Mac** — open Terminal (press Cmd+Space, type `Terminal`, hit Enter) and paste:

    ```bash terminal — macOS theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.sh | sh
    ```

    **on Windows** — open PowerShell (search `PowerShell` in the Start menu) and paste:

    ```powershell terminal — Windows theme={null}
    powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.ps1 | iex"
    ```

    check that it worked — you should see a version number:

    ```bash terminal theme={null}
    codex --version
    ```

    <Warning>installing a different way? the official package on npm is `@openai/codex` (a recent version of Node, v22+, is recommended). never install plain `codex`, that's an unrelated, dead package and the most common mistake.</Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="start it and sign in">
    make a folder and start Codex inside it. **on Mac:**

    ```bash terminal — macOS theme={null}
    mkdir ~/edgeful-codex && cd ~/edgeful-codex
    codex
    ```

    **on Windows** (in PowerShell):

    ```powershell terminal — Windows theme={null}
    mkdir $HOME\edgeful-codex; cd $HOME\edgeful-codex
    codex
    ```

    on first run, choose **Sign in with ChatGPT**, log in in the browser, and you're sent back. Codex only works inside the folder you start it in.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>already use VS Code, Cursor, or a JetBrains editor? there's an official Codex extension too — open Extensions, search `Codex`, and install the one published by **OpenAI**.</Note>

## one thing to expect

Codex asks permission before it runs a command or changes a file — you'll see an approval prompt. that's normal, and it's there to keep you in control. just approve it to let Codex continue.

## you're ready

Codex is now running on your machine. head to [set up API with your AI agent](/getting-started/set-it-up-with-ai) and paste the prompt — it connects the edgeful API, installs the dashboard skill, and makes a verified first call. the setup prompt includes both macOS/Linux shell commands and Windows PowerShell commands.