Updated: 2026-04-27 | Author: MaynorAI
Overview: this page adds the latest GPT-5.5 information and covers Codex positioning, access paths, core concepts, feature configuration, MCP, memory, code management, and practical workflows, helping you quickly understand Threads, Plan Mode, Skills, and related mechanisms.
Official Subscription
Requires your own network access. Closest to the official experience.
Third-party Relay
No self-managed network access required. The Codex&GPTimage2 bundle is suitable for getting started quickly.
Desktop App
Install the Codex Desktop App first, then sign in or configure access using one of the options above.
This section separates official subscription, cc-switch relay setup, and desktop app installation paths.
Codex is OpenAI’s coding agent product. Like Claude Code, it is not just chat; it advances work around project folders, Threads, and execution capabilities. GPT-5.5 further improves reasoning, code editing, and verification loops.
Model overview image
Codex home screen
OpenAI released GPT-5.5 on 2026-04-23 and positioned it as the latest flagship and strongest agentic coding model. For Codex, focus on three points:
Codex $20 top-up link. Requires your own network access and is closer to the official experience.
Download app button
Mac installer screen
The Codex&GPTimage2 bundle and relay configuration do not require self-managed network access. They are third-party relay options.
| Step | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Download and install | GitHub |
| 2 | Configure third-party relay API (no self-managed network access required) | Relay quota |
| 3 | Detailed setup guide | Feishu doc |
The important part is not an install command, but the way work is organized: folders are workspaces, and Threads are task lines.
| Layer | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1 | Folder / workspace | Contains project files, materials, and code |
| Layer 2 | Thread | A task conversation focused on one goal |
Golden rule: one broad direction per folder, and one concrete task per Thread.
Threads home screen
Add project folder entry
Open a Thread after adding a project
Start by separating directory layers: learning materials, real projects, sandboxes, and reusable tools.
Recommended folder structure
Projects example
Feishu bot example
Codex is not only command execution. It also gives graphical entries for scheduled tasks, Skills, global rules, and permissions.
Schedule server checks, auto-fix issues, and send summaries through bots.
Graphically manage Skills, which is easier to understand and maintain than pure CLI workflows.
Create Skills with natural language, which is friendly for new users.
Equivalent to a graphical `AGENTS.md`; set global rules and collaboration preferences.
Connect Codex to browsers, databases, GitHub, file systems, and other tools or data sources.
Persist long-term preferences, output formats, and project rules so collaboration stays consistent.
Useful when local machines cannot run long jobs or when you want async progress.
Can operate browsers, inspect pages, fill forms, and handle repetitive actions, but permissions matter.
Scheduled Tasks UI
Scheduled Tasks result
Skills UI
New Skill button
Skill Creator input UI
General settings
Personalization settings
Full access permission setting
This section follows real usage habits instead of the old CLI-style tutorial.
Start with a small, verifiable task: add a project folder, create a Thread, describe the goal, confirm the plan, then preview the result.
For large projects, enter `/plan` first. Plan only; do not rush into coding. Confirm execution after the plan stabilizes.
Use `/status` to check current usage. Use High for normal work and Extra High when you need more stability.
For complex tasks, you can describe requirements by voice. Clear requirements matter more than prompt stacking.
Check frontend output immediately. If it is bad, redo it instead of accepting it.
Before Codex edits code, ask for files and plan. After edits, inspect the diff, run the smallest relevant check, then commit.
Plan Mode icon
Plan Mode example
Plan output
Enter implementation state
Reasoning Effort UI
Voice input workflow
Enter planning mode; good for large from-zero tasks.
Check usage and remaining quota for the current cycle.
Advance multiple Threads at the same time to improve parallel development efficiency.
Slash command UI
Status usage UI
Parallel Threads development
Frontend capability note
For programmers, Codex is a productivity tool. For non-programmers, it can remove a barrier that used to be hard to cross. The real key is not whether you can write prompts, but whether you can organize tasks, constrain goals, and check results.
| Item | Recommended value / conclusion | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Core model | GPT-5.5 | OpenAI latest flagship model; GPT-5.3-codex was the earlier common Codex association |
| Follow-up behavior | steer | Useful for steering tasks during development |
| Permission | Full access | Reduces repeated confirmations and enables smoother execution |
| Daily reasoning level | Medium | Start with the default level for better speed and cost balance |
| Complex task level | High / Extra High | Use for difficult, hard, or large tasks; mind cost and speed |
| Common commands | `/plan`、`/status` | One plans work; one checks resource usage |
| Code Management | Inspect diff before commit | Small task, small commit; avoid mixing unrelated changes |
| Advanced capabilities | MCP / memory / cloud / automation | Master the basic workflow before connecting advanced capabilities |