The easiest useful way to start with Codex

Open Codex. Say two words. “Onboard me.”

Download one file and put it in the folder you open with Codex. From there, Codex gives you one clear action at a time and waits until you are ready to continue.

Download the onboarding file Get the official app ↗

No code. No giant setup checklist. No email gets sent or changed without your clear approval.

YOUR FIRST CONVERSATION

YOU

Onboard me. That is the whole first prompt.

CODEX

You’re in the right place. I’ll guide you one small step at a time.

One simple question. Connect Gmail now, or practice with examples?

ONE STEP / THEN WAIT

1 / INSTALL THE APP 2 / ADD THE FILE 3 / SAY “ONBOARD ME”

Built for beginners

You do not need to understand Codex before using it.

The included AGENTS.md tells Codex to slow down, explain plain English, show only the next action, and wait for you to finish before moving on.

Start here

Four small moves. Then Codex takes over.

01

Get the desktop app

Download the official ChatGPT desktop app and install it like any other app.

Official download ↗
02

Open Codex

Sign in, then choose Codex. If the exact button looks different, look for Codex in the app switcher.

YOU HANDLE AUTH
03

Make one empty folder

Name it My Codex Workspace. Download the onboarding file into it.

2 MIN
04

Open the folder and say this

Open My Codex Workspace in Codex. Start a new task and type:

Download AGENTS.md ↓

What happens next

A conversation, not a setup manual.

Codex explains where you are, asks one simple question, and waits. If you get stuck, it makes the current step smaller instead of dumping more instructions.

Download AGENTS.md

YOUR FIRST FEW MINUTES ONE ACTION AT A TIME

01
Codex welcomes you
It explains what it can do and promises to wait after each step.
02
You choose the path
Connect Gmail now, or practice first with examples you provide.
03
You approve every connection
You handle sign-in. Codex asks before reading even a small email sample.
04
You get a useful first win
A short inbox brief appears. Nothing is sent, moved, or marked read.

Codex does not continue until you say done, yes, skip, or ask for help.

Teach your voice

It learns from examples you choose.

You choose the examples

Paste or upload a few replies that sound like you. Remove private details first.

Codex asks permission

If you prefer Sent mail, Codex asks what it may read and waits for a clear yes.

You review the patterns

Codex shows a short summary of your tone, structure, greetings, and sign-offs.

One test draft

You correct one sample. Codex updates the guide only after you approve it.

Your first useful win

A short inbox brief. Then, maybe, a schedule.

Codex starts with a small read-only inbox sample and shows what needs attention. Only after you call it useful does Codex ask whether you want the same brief on a schedule.

READ-ONLY DAILY OR WEEKDAYS REPORTS IN SCHEDULED

YOUR FIRST INBOX BRIEF NOTHING CHANGED

REPLY TODAY
2 messages need your decision

CAN WAIT
3 messages have no deadline today

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
4 messages need no reply

Nothing was sent, moved, labeled, or marked read.

If you approve recurring triage, Codex shows you the exact schedule and instructions before creating it. Scheduled runs appear in Scheduled.

The line that matters

A suggested reply is still just a suggestion.

This starter is designed for search, read, summarize, and draft-in-output workflows. Sending email, creating Gmail drafts, archiving, deleting, relabeling, marking read, or changing external data requires a separate, explicit instruction from you. The automation does none of those things.

Quick answers

Before you connect anything.

Do I need to know how to code?

No. Install the app, put one downloaded file in a folder, open that folder, and type “Onboard me.” Codex handles the explanation from there.

What do I type first?

Type exactly: Onboard me. The file tells Codex to respond with one small step and wait for you.

Am I installing Codex or ChatGPT?

Install the official ChatGPT desktop app, then choose Codex inside it. Advanced users can also use the Codex CLI, but this starter does not require a terminal.

Does Codex need my Gmail password?

No. Install the Gmail plugin and complete Google’s authorization flow yourself. Never paste a password, API key, recovery code, or session token into Codex.

Will the recurring task send replies?

No. The included rules prohibit sending or modifying Gmail. Suggested replies stay in the task output until you review them and give a separate explicit instruction.

Does my computer need to stay on?

Yes, when a scheduled task needs files in your local workspace. The computer must be powered on, the workspace must still be available, and the desktop app must be running.

What if Gmail is not available in Plugins?

Plugin availability can vary by plan, account, region, and workspace policy. Use a sanitized email export for the voice exercise, or ask your workspace admin about connector access. Do not work around an admin restriction.