How to use Codex CLI to turn your Text into Code

The OpenAI Codex CLI is a powerful open-source command-line tool that brings the capabilities of OpenAI's AI models directly to your terminal. It's designed to simplify and accelerate coding tasks by allowing you to interact with your codebase using natural language. This means you can essentially "talk" to your code and have the AI generate, modify, and even execute code for you, all while maintaining a strong focus on local operations and data security.

use Codex CLI to turn your Text into Code

The core idea behind Codex CLI is to leverage AI to understand your natural language requests and translate them into functional code or terminal commands. Here's how you can set it up and use it:

1. Download and Install Node.js

Codex CLI is distributed as an npm (Node Package Manager) package, so you need Node.js installed first.

• Go to nodejs.org: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Node.js website.

• Download the Installer: Locate the recommended LTS (Long Term Support) version for your operating system (e.g., "Windows Installer (.msi)" for Windows).

• Run the Installer: Once downloaded, open your File Explorer, find the installer file, and run it. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the Node.js installation on your computer.

2. Install OpenAI Codex Command Line Interface

With Node.js in place, you can now install Codex CLI.

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for "Command Prompt" (or your preferred terminal like PowerShell) in your Windows search bar, right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator."

• Execute Installation Command: In the elevated Command Prompt, run the following command:

  Bash

  npm install -g @openai/codex

  This command will install Codex CLI globally on your system. It may take a few minutes to complete.

• Set Your OpenAI API Key: To use Codex CLI, you need an OpenAI API key. If you don't have one, follow these steps:

  • Go to platform.openai.com: Open your browser and navigate to the OpenAI platform. Sign up or log in to your account.

  • Generate a Secret Key:

    • Click on the "API Keys" section (you might need to search for "API Key" in the platform's search bar).

    • Click on "Create new secret key."

    • Enter a name for your key and select a Project (if prompted). Then click "Create secret key."

    • Immediately copy the generated key. This key is only shown once, so make sure to save it securely.

  • Set the API Key in your Terminal: In your Command Prompt (or terminal), execute the following command, replacing <YOUR_API_KEY_HERE> with the actual key you copied:

    Bash

    set OPENAI_API_KEY=<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>

    Note: For macOS/Linux users, you would use export OPENAI_API_KEY="<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>". To make this persistent across terminal sessions, you can add this line to your shell's configuration file (e.g., ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc).

• Start Codex Interactive Session:

  • Now, run codex in your terminal to start an interactive session.

  • You will likely receive a prompt asking for confirmation and a warning regarding its capabilities. Press y to continue.

3. Use OpenAI Codex CLI

Once installed and configured, you're ready to use Codex CLI to turn your text into code.

• View Commands: To see a list of basic commands, you can run /help within the Codex interactive session.

• Select a Model: Codex allows you to choose which OpenAI model to use.

  • Run /model.

  • Use your arrow keys to navigate through the list of available OpenAI models.

  • Once you've highlighted your preferred model, hit Enter to select it. (The default model is often o4-mini for fast reasoning).

• Ask Your Question/Provide Instructions: Now, you can type your natural language prompt and ask Codex to generate code. For example:

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Create an HTML based application to remove the background from an image.

  Codex will then process your request and begin to generate the code. This might take a moment.

• Confirm Actions: Codex operates with different "approval modes" for safety. By default, it's often in "Suggest" mode, meaning it will propose changes and ask for your confirmation before making any modifications or executing commands.

  • When it generates code that requires creating a file (like an HTML file), it will prompt you to confirm the action. Hit Y to allow it to create the file.

• Locate and Run the Generated Code:

  • Work in a Folder: It's highly recommended to open your terminal inside the specific folder where you want Codex to create files. This makes it easy to locate the generated files.

  • Open and Execute: After Codex completes its task, you can navigate to the folder, open the index.html (or whatever file it created) in your web browser or IDE, and run it to see the results of your text-to-code generation.

Important Consideration:

• You typically need a paid subscription to use the OpenAI API for code generation, as this consumes API credits.

By following these steps, you can effectively use OpenAI Codex CLI to leverage AI for your coding tasks, transforming natural language instructions into functional code right from your terminal.