OpenAI's Codex now includes a small AI pet that keeps you informed as you program.

      Codex Pets has officially arrived on Windows and macOS. Here’s how to obtain one.

      If you're into enjoyable coding experiences, OpenAI has made it even more charming. They have released Codex Pets, a new feature for the Codex desktop application that brings animated companions to your workspace. Codex is OpenAI's proactive coding tool that executes tasks autonomously. It operates in the background to get things done, and now there's a tiny mascot accompanying it.

      So, what is a Codex Pet exactly?

      A Codex Pet is an optional animated companion that serves as an overlay on your screen, remaining visible even when the Codex app is minimized. It communicates what Codex is currently working on through small message bubbles and notifies you when a task is completed or when it requires your input.

      If your pet appears while a task is in progress, you can click on it to respond directly to the agent. It acts as a passive status indicator and provides a lightweight two-way communication channel. There are eight built-in pets available from the start, all designed in a charming pixel-art style.

      How do you get a Codex Pet?

      Obtaining a Codex Pet is easy. Simply open the Codex app and type “/pet” to summon or dismiss your companion. If you prefer something more personalized, you can use the “/hatch” command. Hatch is a tool that allows you to upload any image and turn it into a fully animated pet, which is saved locally in your Codex home folder for easy sharing.

      The community has quickly embraced this new feature, with fan-made sharing websites appearing online shortly after the launch. OpenAI is even hosting a limited-time contest where ten favorite custom pets will earn their creators 30 days of ChatGPT Pro.

      In addition to the pets, this update also introduced config auto-import, enabling Codex to identify and import settings from other coding agents, such as Claude Code. There's also a new dictation dictionary in Settings that allows you to save abbreviations and phrases, ensuring that voice input doesn’t misinterpret them.

      Manisha is a writer at Digital Trends, covering the latest in technology, science, AI, gaming, and entertainment.

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