OpenAI has added optional internet access to Codex, allowing users to install packages, run web-dependent tests, and upgrade dependencies during task execution. The feature is now available to Plus, Pro, and Team users, with Enterprise access expected soon.
Internet access is turned off by default. Users can enable it as per the environment and define which domains and HTTP methods Codex is permitted to access. This granular control is intended to reduce risk and prevent unintended outbound requests. “You have full control over the domains and HTTP methods Codex can use,” OpenAI said in a post on X, pointing to the documentation for detailed guidance on safe usage.
According to the company, this update was among the most requested features, especially for workflows that depend on dynamic package installation or access to APIs. Codex's internet access is aimed at tasks previously blocked by sandboxed environments, such as installing new libraries or fetching external test data.
The rollout accompanies several other improvements. Codex can now update existing pull requests instead of creating new ones when following up on a task. Voice dictation has also been introduced, letting users speak task prompts.
Additional changes include increased task diff limits (from 1 MB to 5 MB), extended setup script duration (up to 10 minutes), improved GitHub integration, and support for binary files during patching. On iOS, duplicated follow-up tasks and stale PR statuses have been fixed, and Live Activities have been re-enabled.
Codex is also being extended to ChatGPT Plus users, with high but rate-limited usage during peak times. Furthermore, organisations using SSO no longer need to configure two-factor authentication.
Some users on X seem sceptical about its risks, with one stating, “‘Read about the risks carefully’—so basically the terms & conditions no one reads but now with apocalyptic consequences.”
While there were discussions about whether Codex is better than Devin or Replit, it remains to be seen what impact this ability would have on its usefulness.
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