# Switch from Claude Code to Codex CLI

> Developers want OpenAI's open-source terminal agent, included with ChatGPT plans.

Source: https://ai.dosa.dev/switch/claude-code-to-codex-cli · CLI & Open-Source BYOK · Updated 2026-10-15 · Published by dosa.dev

## Why switch

Developers want OpenAI's open-source terminal agent, included with ChatGPT plans. Codex CLI has no fixed per-seat price listed — Included in ChatGPT plans (Free, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu) with usage limits based on model and plan. Compare it against Claude Code's $20/mo seat before switching.

## Cost delta

| | Claude Code | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | Claude Pro ($20/mo) | — |
| Per-seat monthly delta | −$20 | |
| 10-dev team annual delta | −$2,400 | |

Codex CLI has no fixed per-seat price listed — Included in ChatGPT plans (Free, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu) with usage limits based on model and plan. Compare it against Claude Code's $20/mo seat before switching. Model it: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=claude-code:Claude%20Pro

## Config migration

- Claude Code rules: `CLAUDE.md`
- Codex CLI rules: `AGENTS.md`
- Convert with the Rules Converter: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=claude-md&to=agents-md

## 4-step checklist

1. **Audit & export your Claude Code rules** — Claude Code reads repo-level rules from CLAUDE.md. Convert them to AGENTS.md with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=claude-md&to=agents-md)
2. **Install & configure Codex CLI** — Install Codex CLI with `npm install -g @openai/codex`. Pricing: Freemium. (https://github.com/openai/codex?utm_source=ai.dosa.dev&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Adapt your daily workflow (CLI Agents → CLI Agents)** — You stay in the terminal; mostly the flags, config files and model defaults change — your repo habits carry over. Codex CLI is best for developers needing a terminal-integrated agent for coding tasks, local repository refactoring, automated testing, and code reviews.
4. **Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seats** — Codex CLI has no fixed per-seat price listed — Included in ChatGPT plans (Free, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu) with usage limits based on model and plan. Compare it against Claude Code's $20/mo seat before switching. Keep Claude Code active for one sprint while Codex CLI handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=claude-code:Claude%20Pro)

## What you gain

- Codex CLI is best for developers needing a terminal-integrated agent for coding tasks, local repository refactoring, automated testing, and code reviews.
- Interactive terminal UI (TUI) for steering coding agents.
- OS-enforced sandboxing for secure local code execution.
- Support for Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.

## What you give up

- Claude Code is positioned for solo founders, indie hackers, and developers working in real-world codebases who need help with complex, multi-file engineering tasks like refactoring and bug fixing. — confirm Codex CLI covers that before cancelling seats.
- Codex CLI is not ideal for users requiring full-system access without security constraints or those seeking a non-agentic, purely manual command-line tool.

Running both: Running both is mostly redundant — pilot Codex CLI on one repo for a sprint, then pick one.

## Spec sheet

| | [Claude Code](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/claude-code) | [Codex CLI](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/codex-cli) |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Category | Terminal & CLI Agents | Terminal & CLI Agents |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Entry paid plan | Claude Pro ($20/mo) | — |
| Rules file | CLAUDE.md | AGENTS.md |

## FAQ

### How do I convert my Claude Code rules to Codex CLI?

Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md and Codex CLI reads AGENTS.md. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=claude-md&to=agents-md) and review the output before committing.

### Is Codex CLI cheaper than Claude Code?

Claude Code starts at Claude Pro ($20/mo); Codex CLI has no listed per-seat plan. Codex CLI has no fixed per-seat price listed — Included in ChatGPT plans (Free, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu) with usage limits based on model and plan. Compare it against Claude Code's $20/mo seat before switching.

### What do I lose when switching from Claude Code to Codex CLI?

Claude Code is positioned for solo founders, indie hackers, and developers working in real-world codebases who need help with complex, multi-file engineering tasks like refactoring and bug fixing. — confirm Codex CLI covers that before cancelling seats. Codex CLI is not ideal for users requiring full-system access without security constraints or those seeking a non-agentic, purely manual command-line tool.

### Can I use Claude Code and Codex CLI together?

Running both is mostly redundant — pilot Codex CLI on one repo for a sprint, then pick one.

## Links

- Claude Code review: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/claude-code
- Codex CLI review: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/codex-cli
- Claude Code vs Codex CLI: https://ai.dosa.dev/compare/claude-code-vs-codex-cli
- Rules Converter: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=claude-md&to=agents-md
- Cost calculator: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=claude-code:Claude%20Pro