Codex Now Has a Pet - OpenAI Adds a /hatch Slash Command to Its Coding Agent CLI

OpenAI has introduced a whimsical new feature to its Codex coding agent: a virtual pet that lives in your terminal. The /hatch slash command spawns a small green goblin that developers can customise whilst working. The community has quickly adopted the name "Glim" for the creature, with OpenAI's developer account coyly acknowledging the moniker. This addition reflects a broader shift in how AI coding tools are positioning themselves. As the technical capabilities of platforms like Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex converge, companies are increasingly competing on user experience and personality rather than pure functionality. The basic features across these tools have become largely indistinguishable, pushing developers to focus on the intangible "feel" of their products. The transformation of coding agents from purely functional tools into character-driven companions represents a notable evolution in developer tooling. Terminals, traditionally sterile environments displaying status messages and exit codes, are now hosting virtual pets that require care and attention. This gamification of the development environment suggests that even professional coding tools are embracing elements more commonly associated with entertainment software. The rapid progression from AI assistants to what essentially amounts to digital Tamagotchis highlights how quickly the AI landscape has evolved. In just three years, we've moved from basic chatbots to sophisticated coding companions that developers can form emotional attachments to through personalisation and ongoing interaction.