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Kanbell vs the Codex app: what's the difference?

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  • comparison
  • tools
  • parallel-agents
  • codex
  • claude-code

If you only run Codex, OpenAI's own app may be all you need: the Codex app now lives in the ChatGPT desktop app, runs several Codex chats in parallel worktrees, shows which ones wait for you, and comes with your ChatGPT plan. Kanbell is for mixing agents: it runs Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI side by side, each in its own real terminal, sorted by project, with a menu bar panel for the agents waiting on you.

Codex app facts come from OpenAI's docs at learn.chatgpt.com, where the developers.openai.com Codex app page now redirects, checked on November 5, 2026.

Side by side

Codex app (ChatGPT desktop app) Kanbell
What it is OpenAI's desktop app for ChatGPT and Codex Desktop app for terminal coding agents
Agents Codex Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI; other commands as custom profiles, without tracking
Interface Chats and projects, a terminal per chat Real terminals in tabs and panes, sorted by project in a sidebar tree
Parallel work Several chats per project, each optionally in a worktree, with Handoff to your local checkout Several sessions per project, in the folder you choose; no worktree management
Waiting agents Activity view (unread, running, waiting), notifications for completion, permissions and questions, a floating pet Session state, notification, menu bar panel with questions and permissions, ⌘⇧J
Tasks Scheduled tasks Board per project: local, GitHub or GitLab
Mobile The ChatGPT mobile app controls Codex on your connected computer None
Platforms macOS, Windows, Linux (preview: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch) macOS (Apple Silicon), Linux (.deb)
Account ChatGPT account None, no Kanbell server
Price Included in ChatGPT plans, Free included 7-day trial, then CHF 12/month or CHF 96/year

Where the Codex app is better

  • No extra cost. Codex comes with ChatGPT plans, Free included. Kanbell is a paid app on top of your agents' plans.
  • Worktrees built in. Start a chat in a worktree from the composer and hand it off to your local checkout later. Kanbell doesn't manage worktrees.
  • Windows and more Linux distributions. Native Windows support and Linux packages for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch.
  • Phone control. The ChatGPT mobile app can start, guide, approve and review Codex work on your computer.
  • Made by OpenAI. It has Codex-specific features such as subagents, scheduled tasks, and browser and computer use.

Where Kanbell is different

  • Several vendors in one window. Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI run side by side. See running Codex CLI and Claude Code side by side.
  • The real CLI in a real terminal. Kanbell starts the agent you installed, with your own sign-in, and reads its state, permission waits and usage. See agents and subagents.
  • A menu bar panel that lists the agents waiting for you, across projects, with their questions and permission requests.
  • A task board per project, local or synced with GitHub Issues or GitLab.
  • No account and no server. Nothing goes through a Kanbell server; see data and privacy.

Which one to choose

  • You use Codex only, or you want Windows, a phone app or no extra cost: the Codex app.
  • You run Claude Code next to Codex or Gemini CLI and want one window with every session and project: Kanbell.

For the other options, see which app to manage several coding agents.

FAQ

Is the Codex app free?

Codex is included in ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise plans, per OpenAI's pricing page, with usage limits that depend on the plan. Kanbell costs CHF 12 a month after a 7-day trial, on top of your agents' own subscriptions.

Can the Codex app run Claude Code?

OpenAI's docs describe the desktop app for ChatGPT and Codex, not for Claude Code. Kanbell runs Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI in the same window.

Does Kanbell replace the Codex CLI?

No. Kanbell runs the Codex CLI you installed, in a real terminal, and reads its state, permission waits and usage. You keep your own Codex sign-in.

Which one runs on Windows?

The ChatGPT desktop app runs on macOS and Windows, with a Linux preview. Kanbell runs on macOS with Apple Silicon and on Linux, not on Windows yet.

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