Macaron vs Codex
Codex is OpenAI's coding agent, in a desktop app, a CLI, IDE extensions and the cloud. Macaron runs Codex too, and adds isolated machines and checks around each turn.
Updated October 1, 2026 · Other products described as of October 1, 2026
Short answer. Use Codex directly if you want it in your IDE, in Slack or Linear, or as a cloud task you start from ChatGPT. Run it inside Macaron if you want it on a machine that can't touch your Mac, with your own checks before and after and a git-backed undo per turn, next to Claude Code on the same project.
At a glance
- What it is
- CodexOpenAI's coding agent
- MacaronA workspace that runs Codex, Claude Code or its own agent
- Where you use it
- CodexA desktop app, the web, an open-source CLI and IDE extensions
- MacaronA desktop app, the macaron CLI, and a web app at macaron.sh/app
- Where code runs
- CodexA local sandbox on your computer, or OpenAI-managed cloud containers
- MacaronA folder on your Mac, or a Computer: an isolated Linux machine per agent, in Docker on your Mac or in the cloud
- Approvals
- CodexSandbox modes (read-only, workspace-write, full access) and approval policies
- MacaronCodex's own settings, plus the Computer's isolation and connectors you switch on
- Integrations
- CodexGitHub code review, Slack, Linear, GitLab in beta, MCP
- MacaronConnectors for deploy, database, payments and error tracking; no Slack
- Checking the work
- CodexShows changed files and check results in cloud tasks
- MacaronYour test, lint and typecheck scripts, before and after; AI end-to-end tests with macaron e2e; an optional second-model reviewer
- Access
- CodexIncluded in ChatGPT plans, or an API key
- MacaronYour ChatGPT account or OpenAI key, plus Macaron's own plan
| Codex | Macaron | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | OpenAI's coding agent | A workspace that runs Codex, Claude Code or its own agent |
| Where you use it | A desktop app, the web, an open-source CLI and IDE extensions | A desktop app, the macaron CLI, and a web app at macaron.sh/app |
| Where code runs | A local sandbox on your computer, or OpenAI-managed cloud containers | A folder on your Mac, or a Computer: an isolated Linux machine per agent, in Docker on your Mac or in the cloud |
| Approvals | Sandbox modes (read-only, workspace-write, full access) and approval policies | Codex's own settings, plus the Computer's isolation and connectors you switch on |
| Integrations | GitHub code review, Slack, Linear, GitLab in beta, MCP | Connectors for deploy, database, payments and error tracking; no Slack |
| Checking the work | Shows changed files and check results in cloud tasks | Your test, lint and typecheck scripts, before and after; AI end-to-end tests with macaron e2e; an optional second-model reviewer |
| Access | Included in ChatGPT plans, or an API key | Your ChatGPT account or OpenAI key, plus Macaron's own plan |
How each works day to day
Codex runs where you are: the CLI or IDE extension for local work, the desktop app, or cloud tasks that keep going while your computer sleeps. Cloud tasks end with changed files and check results, and you commit or open a pull request when you're ready. You can also start work from Slack or Linear.
In Macaron you start the same Codex CLI in a project, on your Mac or on a Computer. Each turn ends in a card with the files changed and an undo; Review shows the diff; your checks run before and after. You can switch the same project to Claude Code for the next task.
Where code runs and what it can touch
Codex's own sandbox is good. Locally the default, workspace-write, lets it read files and run commands in the workspace and asks before edits outside it or network access, which is off by default. In the cloud, a setup phase can reach the network to install dependencies, then the agent runs offline unless you allow internet access, and secrets are only available during setup.
A Macaron Computer adds a different boundary: a separate Linux machine, in Docker on your Mac or on a cloud server you own, with no route to your Mac's files or credentials. Codex's sandbox settings still apply inside it.
Pricing
ChatGPT plans that include Codex, as published on learn.chatgpt.com/codex/pricing on October 1, 2026.
- Free
- Price$0
- Go
- Price$8 a month
- Plus
- Price$20 a month
- Pro
- PriceFrom $100 a month
- Business
- Price$20 per user a month billed annually, $25 monthly
- Enterprise and Edu
- PriceContact sales
- API key
- PriceUsage at API prices
| ChatGPT plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0 |
| Go | $8 a month |
| Plus | $20 a month |
| Pro | From $100 a month |
| Business | $20 per user a month billed annually, $25 monthly |
| Enterprise and Edu | Contact sales |
| API key | Usage at API prices |
Inside Macaron, Codex uses your ChatGPT sign-in or your OpenAI key. One Macaron plan; models on your own keys at your provider's price; cloud machines billed by the hour.
Who should pick which
- You want an agent in VS Code or JetBrains with ChatGPT already paid for: Codex directly.
- You want automatic review on GitHub pull requests: Codex code review.
- You assign work in Linear or Slack: Codex's integrations.
- You want Codex and Claude Code on the same project, each turn checked and undoable: Macaron.
- You'd rather the agent never run on your laptop, but don't want OpenAI's cloud either: a Macaron Computer on your own server.
What Macaron doesn't do
No Slack integration, no mobile app, no hosted SLA, no multiplayer, and no visual browser testing of its own beyond the AI end-to-end tests. It doesn't replace Codex's IDE extensions or cloud tasks.
Questions
Can Macaron run Codex?+
Yes. Macaron starts the Codex CLI in your project with your ChatGPT account or OpenAI key.
Is Codex open source?+
The Codex CLI is, under the Apache-2.0 license, per its GitHub repository. The cloud service and desktop app are OpenAI's.
Does Codex have a sandbox already?+
Yes: read-only, workspace-write and full-access modes locally, and isolated containers in the cloud. A Macaron Computer is an extra boundary around it, not a replacement.
Do I need ChatGPT Plus?+
Per OpenAI's pricing page on October 1, 2026, Codex is included in every ChatGPT plan from Free up, with more usage on higher plans, or you can use an API key.
Can I undo a Codex turn in Macaron?+
Yes. Each turn is a git checkpoint, whichever agent made it.
Does Macaron integrate with Linear?+
Linear is one of Macaron's connectors, passed to a run's commands when you switch it on. Codex's Linear integration, which lets you assign issues to it, is a different thing.
Sources and dates
- Codex docs (learn.chatgpt.com)learn.chatgpt.com, read October 1, 2026
- Codex approvals and securitylearn.chatgpt.com, read October 1, 2026
- Codex cloudlearn.chatgpt.com, read October 1, 2026
- Codex pricinglearn.chatgpt.com, read October 1, 2026
- github.com/openai/codexgithub.com, read October 1, 2026
Facts about other products come only from these pages, on the dates shown; prices are as published that day. Macaron's own details are as shipped on October 1, 2026. Products change, so check their sites for the latest.