codexUI
Introduction: ๐ Run Codex App UI Anywhere: Linux, Windows, or Termux on Android ๐
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๐ Run Codex App UI Anywhere: Linux, Windows, or Termux on Android ๐
Codex UI in your browser. No drama. One command.
Yes, that is your Codex desktop app experience exposed over web UI. Yes, it runs cross-platform.
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๐คฏ What Is This?
codexapp is a lightweight bridge that gives you a browser-accessible UI for Codex app-server workflows.
You run one command. It starts a local web server. You open it from your machine, your LAN, or wherever your setup allows.
TL;DR ๐ง : Codex app UI, unlocked for Linux, Windows, and Termux-powered Android setups.
โก Quick Start
The main event.
# ๐ Run instantly (recommended)
npx codexapp
# ๐ Then open in browser
# http://localhost:18923
By default, codexapp now also starts:
cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:<port>
It prints the tunnel URL, terminal QR code, and password together in startup output.
Use --no-tunnel to disable this behavior.
Linux ๐ง
node -v # should be 18+
npx codexapp
Windows ๐ช (PowerShell)
node -v # 18+
npx codexapp
Termux (Android) ๐ค
pkg update && pkg upgrade -y
pkg install nodejs -y
npx codexapp
Android background requirements:
- Keep
codexapprunning in the current Termux session (do not close it). - In Android settings, disable battery optimization for
Termux. - Keep the persistent Termux notification enabled so Android is less likely to kill it.
- Optional but recommended in Termux:
termux-wake-lock
- Open the shown URL in your Android browser. If the app is killed, return to Termux and run
npx codexappagain.
iPhone / iPad via Tailscale Serve
If you want to use codexUI from iPhone or iPad Safari, serving it over HTTPS is recommended.
A practical private setup is to run codexUI locally and publish it inside your tailnet with Tailscale Serve:
npx codexapp --no-tunnel --port 5999
tailscale serve --bg 5999
Then open:
https://<your-machine>.<your-tailnet>.ts.net
This setup worked well in practice for:
- iPhone Safari access
- Add to Home Screen
- the built-in dictation / transcription feature in the app
- viewing the same projects and conversations from the Windows host
Notes:
- Tailscale Serve keeps access private to your tailnet
- on iOS, HTTPS / secure context appears to be important for mobile browser access and dictation
- some minor mobile Safari CSS issues may still exist, but they do not prevent normal use
- depending on proxying details, authentication behavior may differ from direct remote access
- if conversations created in the web UI do not immediately appear in the Windows app, restarting the Windows app may refresh them
โจ Features
The payload.
- ๐ One-command launch with
npx codexapp - ๐ Cross-platform support for Linux, Windows, and Termux on Android
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Browser-first Codex UI flow on
http://localhost:18923 - ๐ LAN-friendly access from other devices on the same network
- ๐งช Remote/headless-friendly setup for server-based Codex usage
- ๐ Works with reverse proxies and tunneling setups
- โก No global install required for quick experimentation
- ๐๏ธ Built-in hold-to-dictate voice input with transcription to composer draft
- ๐ค Optional Telegram bot bridge: send messages to bot, forward into mapped thread, send assistant reply back to Telegram
Telegram Bot Bridge (Optional)
Set these environment variables before starting codexapp:
export TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN="<your-telegram-bot-token>"
export TELEGRAM_DEFAULT_CWD="$PWD" # optional, defaults to current working directory
npx codexapp
Bot commands:
/newthreadcreate and map a new Codex thread for this Telegram chat/thread <threadId>map current Telegram chat to an existing thread- Any other text message is forwarded to the mapped thread
๐งฉ Recent Product Features (from main commits)
Not just launch. Actual UX upgrades.
- ๐๏ธ Searchable project picker in new-thread flow
- โ Inline "Add new project" input inside picker (no browser prompt)
- ๐ New projects get pinned to top automatically
- ๐ง Smart default new-project name suggestion via server-side free-directory scan (
New Project (N)) - ๐ Project order persisted globally to workspace roots state
- ๐งต Optimistic in-progress threads preserved during refresh/poll cycles
- ๐ฑ Mobile drawer sidebar in desktop layout (teleported overlay + swipe-friendly structure)
- ๐๏ธ Skills Hub mobile-friendly spacing/toolbar layout improvements
- ๐ช Skill detail modal tuned for mobile sheet-style behavior
- ๐งช Skills Hub event typing fix for
SkillCardselect emit compatibility - ๐๏ธ Voice dictation flow in composer (
hold to dictate-> transcribe -> append text)
๐ What Can You Do With This?
| ๐ฅ Use Case | ๐ฅ What You Get |
|---|---|
| ๐ป Linux workstation | Run Codex UI in browser without depending on desktop shell |
| ๐ช Windows machine | Launch web UI and access from Chrome/Edge quickly |
| ๐ฑ Termux on Android | Start service in Termux and control from mobile browser |
| ๐งช Remote dev box | Keep Codex process on server, view UI from client device |
| ๐ LAN sharing | Open UI from another device on same network |
| ๐งฐ Headless workflows | Keep terminal + browser split for productivity |
| ๐ Custom routing | Put behind reverse proxy/tunnel if needed |
| โก Fast experiments | npx run without full global setup |
๐ผ๏ธ Screenshots
Skills Hub
Chat
Mobile UI
๐๏ธ Architecture
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ Browser (Desktop/Mobile) โ
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โ HTTP/WebSocket
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โ codexapp โ
โ (Express + Vue UI bridge) โ
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โ RPC/Bridge calls
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โ Codex App Server โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ฏ Requirements
- โ
Node.js
18+ - โ Codex app-server environment available
- โ Browser access to host/port
- โ Microphone permission (only for voice dictation)
๐ Troubleshooting
| โ Problem | โ Fix |
|---|---|
| Port already in use | Run on a free port or stop old process |
npx fails |
Update npm/node, then retry |
| Termux install fails | pkg update && pkg upgrade then reinstall nodejs |
| Canโt open from other device | Check firewall, bind address, and LAN routing |
๐ค Contributing
Issues and PRs are welcome.
Bring bug reports, platform notes, and setup improvements.
โญ Star This Repo
If you believe Codex UI should be accessible from any machine, any OS, any screen, star this project and share it. โญ
Built for speed, portability, and a little bit of chaos ๐
Forked from pavel-voronin/codex-web-local by Pavel Voronin.
