> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.4096bytes.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Codex Desktop

> Use 4096bytes in Codex Desktop

Codex Desktop uses the same local configuration as Codex CLI. Install Codex Desktop first, then write the dashboard-generated `config.toml` and `auth.json` into the Codex config directory.

If you already completed the [Codex](/en/clients/codex) setup, open or restart Codex Desktop. You do not need to create another API Key.

## Prerequisites

* You have completed [Create an account](/en/quickstart/create-account).
* You have completed [Get an API Key](/en/quickstart/get-api-key).
* Codex Desktop is installed.
* The **Use key** dialog is open for the API Key you want to use.

<Warning>
  The API Key in `auth.json` is stored as a local plaintext credential. Do not commit `~/.codex/auth.json`, screenshots, or terminal output to a repository or chat.
</Warning>

## Install

Download and install Codex Desktop from the [OpenAI Codex app documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app). After installation, open the app and complete the initial setup shown by Codex Desktop.

If Codex Desktop is not available for your system yet, use [Codex CLI](/en/clients/codex) for terminal access.

## Copy config from the dashboard

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open API Keys">
    Open the dashboard and go to **API Keys**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Codex CLI">
    Find the key you want to use for Codex Desktop, click **Use key**, then choose **Codex CLI**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your system">
    Select **macOS / Linux** or **Windows**. The dashboard shows the target config file paths.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write local config">
    Follow the matching system steps on the [Codex](/en/clients/codex) page to write `config.toml` and `auth.json`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Codex Desktop">
    Save the config, quit Codex Desktop completely, then open it again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Config file paths

| System        | `config.toml`                      | `auth.json`                      |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| macOS / Linux | `~/.codex/config.toml`             | `~/.codex/auth.json`             |
| Windows       | `%USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml` | `%USERPROFILE%\.codex\auth.json` |

If you use Codex inside WSL, configure WSL's `~/.codex/` directory instead of the Windows user directory.

Use the `model`, `review_model`, `base_url`, and API Key values shown in the dashboard. See the [Codex](/en/clients/codex) page for field meanings.

## Verify

Open Codex Desktop, choose a local project, then send a low-risk task:

```text theme={null}
Describe the purpose of the current project in one sentence. Do not modify files.
```

If Codex Desktop responds without authentication or model errors, the config is active.

## Common issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I already configured Codex CLI. Do I need to repeat setup?">
    No. Codex Desktop reads the same `~/.codex/` config. Quit Codex Desktop completely, then open it again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Codex Desktop still uses the old model or address">
    Put the new config at the beginning of `config.toml`. Save, quit Codex Desktop completely, and open it again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Codex Desktop reports authentication failure">
    Check that `auth.json` is valid JSON. Confirm the API Key has no missing characters, newlines, or extra spaces.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Codex Desktop cannot find the model">
    `model` and `review_model` must match the dashboard model name exactly. Do not copy names from someone else's screenshot.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>