OpenAI has launched a Codex Chrome extension for Mac and PC to streamline browser-based workflows that had been beforehand troublesome to deal with through APIs or plugins. This launch follows a pattern the place most customers most popular working in a browser after the launch of “Laptop Use,” permitting Codex to function extra successfully throughout numerous web-based duties.
What the Extension Truly Does
Earlier than this launch, Codex had entry to an in-app browser — a sandboxed browser constructed into the Codex desktop app itself — and a rising library of devoted plugins for companies like GitHub, Slack, Figma, and Notion. The brand new Chrome extension fills a spot these two approaches couldn’t cowl: duties that require your actual, signed-in browser state.
The Codex Chrome extension lets Codex use Chrome for browser duties that want your signed-in browser state. It’s supposed to be used when Codex must learn or act on websites resembling LinkedIn, Salesforce, Gmail, or inside instruments. For the whole lot else like native growth servers, file-backed previews, and public pages that don’t require a sign-in you may proceed utilizing the in-app browser, which retains that preview and verification work inside Codex with out touching your Chrome profile.
Codex now operates throughout three distinct instrument tiers relying on the duty: plugins when a devoted integration is on the market, Chrome when it wants logged-in browser context, and the in-app browser for localhost. The agent selects which tier to make use of mechanically, although customers may also invoke Chrome straight in a immediate utilizing the @Chrome point out syntax — for instance: @Chrome open Salesforce and replace the account from these name notes. If Chrome isn’t already open, Codex can open it.
On the useful facet, the brand new browser-based capabilities of the plugin embrace testing internet apps, gathering context from throughout open tabs, and utilizing Chrome DevTools in parallel whereas the person performs different duties. Critically, Codex works in task-specific tab teams, so it could actually collect context and take actions with out taking up your lively searching session.
Find out how to Set up and Use Codex Chrome extension
Fast Begin Information
Putting in and Utilizing the Codex Chrome Extension
5 steps to attach Codex to your signed-in browser. Works on macOS and Home windows. Not out there in EU or UK but.
Set up the extension from the Chrome Net Retailer
Open Chrome and go to the Codex itemizing within the Chrome Net Retailer. Click on Add to Desktop and ensure the immediate that seems.
Chrome Net Retailer itemizing for Codex by OpenAI
Exhibits the Codex extension card with model, writer, and Add to Desktop button
>
Codex
by OpenAI · v1.1.4 · 109 KiB · Instruments
Management Chrome with Codex
Add to Desktop
⚠ Codex doesn’t assist different Chromium-based browsers (Courageous, Edge, Arc) at the moment.
Add the Chrome plugin contained in the Codex app
Open the Codex desktop app and navigate to Plugins. Discover the Chrome plugin and click on Add. Codex will stroll you thru the connection movement.
Codex App
›
Plugins
›
Chrome
›
Add
Chrome
Let Codex use your signed-in browser
Add
Approve Chrome permissions and ensure “Related”
Chrome will ask you to simply accept a set of extension permissions. After approving, open Chrome and ensure the Codex extension reveals Related within the toolbar.
Permissions requested by the extension
Entry the web page debugger
Learn and alter all of your knowledge on all web sites
Learn and alter your searching historical past on all signed-in gadgets
View and handle your tab teams
Handle your downloads
Extension standing in Chrome toolbar
These permissions let the extension function browser workflows. Codex nonetheless applies its personal per-site affirmation prompts and allowlist/blocklist on prime of those Chrome permissions.
Begin a brand new Codex thread and invoke Chrome
Open a brand new thread in Codex. You possibly can let Codex select the appropriate instrument mechanically, or invoke Chrome straight utilizing the @Chrome point out. Codex will open Chrome if it isn’t already working.
@Chrome open Salesforce and replace the account from these name notes.
You too can simply describe the duty naturally — Codex will choose Chrome mechanically when the duty requires a signed-in web site.
Evaluation and approve web site entry when prompted
By default, Codex asks earlier than interacting with every new web site host. Select one among three choices every time it asks. Handle a everlasting allowlist and blocklist in Laptop Use settings.
Codex is asking to make use of salesforce.com
Enable this chat
At all times permit host
Decline
Instance: Codex working in Chrome
@Chrome Go to my LinkedIn notifications, summarize any messages from recruiters, and draft a brief reply to every.
Opening Chrome · Requesting entry to linkedin.com
Working in tab group · Your lively tabs are unaffected
Discovered 3 recruiter messages in your LinkedIn inbox. Right here’s a abstract and a draft reply for every:
Sara H. — Eng Supervisor position
Draft prepared
James Okay. — ML Lead, Collection B
Draft prepared
Priya M. — Employees Engineer
Draft prepared
Process full · Pages stored open for overview
Codex tab group in Chrome
LinkedIn — Inbox
Message · Sara H.
+2 extra
Earlier than you utilize it — three issues to know
Deal with web page content material as untrusted. Malicious pages can embed directions designed to redirect Codex’s habits (immediate injection). Evaluation web sites earlier than approving entry.
Recollections setting impacts browser duties. If Recollections is on, Codex can use beforehand saved context throughout Chrome duties. Flip Recollections off for totally remoted classes.
File uploads want an additional setting. Go to Chrome Extensions › Codex › Particulars and allow Enable entry to file URLs if any process requires importing a neighborhood file.
Permission Mannequin and Safety Issues
The Codex Chrome extension requires in depth browser permissions—together with entry to your historical past, bookmarks, and web page knowledge—to perform as an built-in AI agent. To mitigate safety dangers, OpenAI has applied a per-site affirmation layer that asks for permission earlier than Codex interacts with a brand new area. Customers can handle these permissions through an allowlist or blocklist, although sure options like browser historical past entry carry increased threat and require handbook approval for every session.
Past commonplace permissions, builders have to be cautious of immediate injection, the place malicious web site content material may probably take over Codex’s directions. To make sure knowledge privateness, OpenAI solely shops browser exercise when it’s explicitly added to a chat’s context, resembling via screenshots or textual content summaries. For these looking for most isolation, turning off the Recollections function ensures that browser-based duties stay untainted by earlier session knowledge or person preferences.
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