#Codex App Interface

This chapter breaks down the main areas of the Codex Desktop App.

#Overall Layout

The app is organized around a left sidebar, a central conversation area, a prompt box, review surfaces, and status controls.

#1. Sidebar Navigation

The sidebar contains entry points for threads, search, plugins, automations, tasks, projects, and cloud work. Use it to switch context without losing the current thread.

#2. Conversation Area

The conversation area shows your request, Codex's reasoning summaries, tool activity, results, and final handoff notes.

#3. Diff Review Area

When Codex edits files, the diff view lets you inspect additions, deletions, and changed files before committing or continuing.

#4. Prompt Box And Three Selectors

The prompt box is where you describe the task. The important selectors are:

• Permissions: how much Codex can do without asking.
• Model: which model should work on the task.
• Reasoning effort: how much thinking budget to spend.

#5. Top Action Bar

The top bar includes actions such as opening the project, handing off work, committing changes, or managing the current thread.

#6. Bottom Status Bar

The bottom status area surfaces runtime state such as branch, worktree, permissions, or active work.

#7. Settings

Settings control account, models, permissions, plugins, integrations, appearance, and other preferences.

#Next Steps

Continue with Quick Start.