Agent Workbench for Codex CLI (Unofficial)

Agent Workbench (AWC) is an independent, unofficial VS Code client built exclusively for the OpenAI Codex CLI. It provides an editor-first interface for managing chats, tool runs, approvals, and diffs.

AWC is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by OpenAI. OpenAI and Codex are trademarks of their respective owner.

Installation

Before installing AWC, prepare Codex using either of these options:

• Install the official Codex extension for VS Code and sign in to Codex.
• Install and authenticate the standalone Codex CLI. Set awc.cliExecutable if codex is not available on PATH.

Then install Agent Workbench for Codex CLI (Unofficial) from the Visual Studio Marketplace, or run:

code --install-extension yonnq.awc

Marketplace extension ID: yonnq.awc

Requirements

• VS Code 1.90 or later
• A trusted local workspace
• Either the official Codex extension for VS Code or an authenticated standalone Codex CLI

The extension can run commands and read or modify files, so it does not run in Restricted Mode.

Getting started

1. Run AWC: Open from the Command Palette.
2. Select the model, reasoning effort, and execution mode for your project.
3. Send a message to start a new chat.

Use the Agent Workbench button in the editor title bar to open another panel. You can attach selected code with Add to Codex Thread or attach the active file with Add File to Codex Thread.

Features

• Account and session integration through the Codex app-server
• Per-session model, reasoning effort, and IDE Context settings
• Plan, Ask, and Full execution modes
• Command and file-change approvals
• Inline diffs and editable native VS Code diffs
• Chat creation, switching, branching, renaming, archiving, and deletion
• Follow-up queue and steer behavior while a run is active
• Skills, plugins, and MCP status
• Context usage and account rate-limit displays
• Undo checkpoints for code changes

Permissions and data

Agent Workbench may perform the following operations to provide its features:

• Read files and selected text in the current workspace
• Create, modify, or delete files after user approval
• Run the Codex CLI and approved commands
• Read Codex account, session, usage, and plugin information
• Store session metadata and undo checkpoints in VS Code extension storage

The extension does not collect its own analytics, advertising data, or tracking telemetry. Prompts, attached context, commands, and tool requests may be processed according to the policies of the Codex CLI and any connected services. See the public Privacy Policy for details.

Settings

• awc.cliExecutable: path to the Codex executable
• awc.openOnStartup: open Agent Workbench when VS Code starts
• awc.ideContextEnabled: include the active file or selection
• awc.followUpQueueMode: use Queue or Steer for follow-up messages
• awc.reviewDelivery: show reviews Inline or Detached
• awc.runCodexInWindowsSubsystemForLinux: run Codex through WSL on Windows

openOnStartup is disabled by default for public distribution.

License

See the included LICENSE for the project license and the public Third-Party Notices for bundled third-party components.

Report security issues using the process in the public Security Policy, not through a public issue.