Codex, the AI-based coding tool from OpenAI, has crossed 1 million active users, according to a post by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Feb 5, 2026
Altman shared the update on X, stating only: “Codex is now over 1 million active users.” The company did not release additional details alongside the announcement.
Codex App Launch and Early Adoption
The milestone follows the recent launch of the Codex app, a standalone desktop application that allows users to interact with Codex outside of browser-based tools.
On February 3, Altman said that more than 200,000 people downloaded the Codex app on its first day, adding that early users “seem to love it.” The post highlighted strong initial interest shortly after launch.
To mark the release, OpenAI also introduced temporary changes to access and usage limits.
Rate Limits Expanded and Free Access Added
According to Altman, OpenAI doubled rate limits for all paid Codex plans for two months as part of the app launch. The company also added Codex access for Free and Go users, expanding availability beyond paid subscribers.
OpenAI has not specified how these changes may have influenced overall usage or how many users are accessing Codex through the app versus other interfaces.
What Codex Is
Codex is an AI system designed to assist with software development by generating and editing code using natural language prompts. It supports multiple programming languages and is used for tasks such as writing functions, modifying existing code, and assisting with programming workflows.
The tool is part of OpenAI’s broader developer offerings and builds on earlier Codex models introduced in previous years.