Introduction

You can let Codex operate an app the same way you would: by clicking, seeing, and typing. Computer Use is useful when the task lives inside a normal app UI, even if that app does not have a dedicated plugin.

This works especially well for tasks that jump between apps or windows, such as collecting notes, updating a system of record, copying details from one place to another, or drafting a reply after checking context in a few different apps.

How to use

1. Install the Computer Use plugin.
2. Start your request with @Computer Use, or mention a specific app such as @Slack or @Messages.
3. Describe the task and the outcome you want.
4. Approve access when Codex needs it, then let it continue the task in the background.

If you mention a specific app and a plugin exists for that app, Codex may prefer the plugin over Computer Use. That is usually what you want. If no plugin exists, Codex can fall back to Computer Use and operate the app directly.

For example:

• @Computer Use Play some music to help me focus.
• @Computer Use Help me add my interview notes from Notes to Ashby.
• @Computer Use Go through my Slack and add reminders for everything I need to do by end of day.

Practical tips

Choose the browser Codex should use

Computer Use takes control of the app it is operating. If you want to keep working in one browser while Codex browses in another, tell it which browser to use. You can also set a default in customization, for example: “When using Computer Use for web browsing tasks, default to Chrome instead of Safari.”

Avoid parallel runs in the same app

Do not run two Computer Use tasks against the same app at the same time. That makes it much harder for Codex to keep stable context about the current window and state.

Stay signed in

For smoother runs, make sure you are already signed in to the apps and services you want Codex to use. If your Mac locks while Computer Use is running, the activity will stop.

Good follow-ups

Once the task finishes, keep the same thread open if you want Codex to summarize what it changed, double-check the result, or turn the workflow into a more repeatable pattern through customization.

Suggested prompt

Hand Off One Computer Task