Codex Just Got a Massive Update - Mac Apps, Memory, Automations and Image Generation

OpenAI has released a significant update to Codex, expanding its capabilities far beyond code generation to include native Mac application control, persistent memory, and automated task execution. The update allows Codex to interact directly with Mac apps rather than operating in isolation, whilst enhanced MCP and plugin support enables deeper integration with existing workflows. The memory and learning capabilities represent a fundamental shift in how AI assistants operate. Codex now retains information about user preferences, working patterns, and tool usage across sessions. The new Skills feature allows users to bundle instructions for recurring tasks, whilst automations can execute these tasks on schedule with results queued for review. The timing of this release is particularly notable, coming just one day after Anthropic launched Claude Code Routines and Opus 4.7. Both companies appear to be building similar products from different starting points—OpenAI expanding from code assistance into general automation, whilst Anthropic extends from conversational AI into development workflows. This rapid succession of releases highlights the intensifying competition to become users' primary AI operating system. Rather than specialised tools for specific tasks, both companies are positioning their platforms as comprehensive AI assistants capable of managing entire workflows across multiple applications and maintaining context over extended periods.