OpenAI Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop — Feature Comparison
Quick answer: OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of 18 tracked features; Devin Desktop supports 18 of 18. Matrix last updated July 19, 2026.
Verdict: Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop
Devin Desktop is the stronger choice for most developers, but OpenAI Codex CLI is the right pick for terminal-first workflows where IDE integration is irrelevant. Devin Desktop covers the full 18-feature matrix tracked, adding native multi-file editing and JetBrains IDE support — two capabilities that matter significantly to developers working across large codebases or in environments like IntelliJ, PyCharm, or Rider. OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of those same 18 features, so it is not a stripped-down tool by any measure; it simply skews toward command-line and shell-centric workflows rather than GUI-driven IDEs. Both tools show healthy release cadences — OpenAI Codex CLI has logged slightly more releases overall and a marginally faster recent pace, suggesting active iteration, while Devin Desktop is close behind and equally maintained. The practical difference comes down to working style and environment: if your development loop runs inside a terminal, scripts, or CI pipelines, Codex CLI fits naturally and you will not miss the features it omits. If you split time across multiple files in a graphical IDE, especially a JetBrains product, or you rely on cohesive multi-file refactors, Devin Desktop's broader feature coverage removes friction that Codex CLI simply cannot address. Neither tool is neglected or feature-sparse — this is a tight comparison — but the two omitted features in Codex CLI are concrete gaps, not minor edge cases, for the developers who need them.
Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if: Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if you live primarily in the terminal, work within shell-centric or CI-driven pipelines, and have no need for JetBrains IDE integration or GUI-based multi-file editing workflows.
Choose Devin Desktop if: Choose Devin Desktop if you work across multiple files simultaneously, use a JetBrains IDE like IntelliJ or PyCharm, or want the broadest possible feature coverage without worrying about capability gaps.
Key differences
- Devin Desktop supports all 18 tracked features; OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16, missing multi-file editing and JetBrains integration
- OpenAI Codex CLI is terminal-native and CLI-first; Devin Desktop targets graphical, IDE-integrated workflows
- Both tools have active release cadences, with Codex CLI logging slightly more releases in the recent window
- JetBrains IDE support is exclusive to Devin Desktop, making it the only option for that ecosystem
- Multi-file editing as a first-class feature in Devin Desktop gives it an edge on larger, cross-file refactoring tasks
At a glance
| Tool | Latest version | Release date | Releases tracked |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI Codex CLI | rust-v0.144.6 | July 18, 2026 | 140 |
| Devin Desktop | v3.5.17 | July 19, 2026 | 127 |
Core Editing
Multi-file editing, streaming, undo capabilities
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-file Editing — Edit multiple files in a single operation | — | ✓ since 1.0.2 |
| Streaming Output — Real-time streaming of AI responses | ✓ since rust-v0.142.0 | ✓ since 2.1.29 |
| Undo/Redo — Ability to undo and redo changes | ✓ since rust-v0.144.2 | ✓ since 1.6.1 |
| Diff View — Visual comparison of changes | ✓ since rust-v0.144.6 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
Terminal Integration
Shell and command execution support
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Command Execution — Run shell commands | ✓ since rust-v0.144.5 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
| Shell Integration — Integration with user shell environment | ✓ since rust-v0.143.0 | ✓ since 1.13.3 |
| Background Tasks — Run tasks in background | ✓ since rust-v0.143.0 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
MCP Support
Model Context Protocol server and client capabilities
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| MCP Client — Connect to MCP servers | ✓ since rust-v0.144.0 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
| MCP Server — Expose as MCP server | ✓ since rust-v0.143.0 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
| Custom Tools — Define and use custom tools | ✓ since rust-v0.143.0 | ✓ (v3.2.16: 'Added a devin plugin system for extending Devin Local' indicates custom tool/extension support) |
IDE Integrations
VS Code, JetBrains, and other editor support
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| VS Code — Visual Studio Code integration | ✓ since rust-v0.136.0 | ✓ since 1.9566.9 |
| JetBrains — IntelliJ/WebStorm integration | — | ✓ since 1.11.0 |
| Vim/Neovim — Vim or Neovim integration | ✓ since rust-v0.136.0 | ✓ since 1.12.31 |
| Web UI — Browser-based interface | ✓ since rust-v0.144.0 | ✓ since 2.0.44 |
Agentic Features
Planning, tool use, and autonomous capabilities
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Mode — Plan before executing changes | ✓ since rust-v0.142.0 | ✓ since 2.0.44 |
| Autonomous Mode — Extended autonomous operation | ✓ since rust-v0.144.2 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
| Task Decomposition — Break complex tasks into steps | ✓ since rust-v0.143.0 | ✓ since 2.2.17 |
| Context Management — Manage context across conversations | ✓ since rust-v0.144.6 | ✓ since 3.4.22 |
Feature timeline: who shipped first
First release where Codex CLI and Devin Desktop each shipped a notable feature, and which tool led.
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop | Who led |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Slash Commands | August 20, 2025 | May 6, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 106d ahead |
| Planning Mode | January 25, 2026 | June 10, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 230d ahead |
| Hooks | May 8, 2026 | December 10, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 150d ahead |
| Subagents / Parallel Agents | January 25, 2026 | October 16, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 102d ahead |
| Skills / Plugins | December 10, 2025 | January 12, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 32d ahead |
| Sandboxing / Permission Modes | August 7, 2025 | June 16, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 312d ahead |
| MCP Support | July 23, 2025 | February 13, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 160d ahead |
| Image / Vision Input | December 2, 2025 | November 27, 2024 | Devin Desktop first, 371d ahead |
| Extended Thinking | July 9, 2025 | February 25, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 134d ahead |
| Background Tasks | — | April 15, 2026 | only Devin Desktop |
| Web Search / Fetch | June 9, 2026 | January 17, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 509d ahead |
| Project Memory Files | February 12, 2026 | December 11, 2024 | Devin Desktop first, 429d ahead |
| Git / PR Integration | May 7, 2026 | April 2, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 401d ahead |
| Headless / Non-interactive Mode | July 19, 2025 | April 28, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 283d ahead |
| Voice Input | February 25, 2026 | July 17, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 224d ahead |
| Checkpoints / Rewind | December 15, 2025 | — | only Codex CLI |
| Todo / Task List | May 21, 2026 | — | only Codex CLI |
| JetBrains Support | — | November 13, 2024 | only Devin Desktop |
Release velocity
Havoptic tracks 140 Codex CLI releases and 127 Devin Desktop releases. See release frequency charts for side-by-side velocity analysis, or browse the OpenAI Codex CLI changelog and Devin Desktop changelog.
Data source
Feature data is maintained in feature-matrix.json under a CC-BY-4.0 license. Release data comes from releases.json. Both are updated daily. See the methodology page for details on sourcing and human review.