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 September 18, 2026.
Verdict: Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop
Devin Desktop is the stronger all-around choice for most developers, but OpenAI Codex CLI is the better fit for terminal-native and automation-focused workflows. Devin Desktop covers the full tracked feature set — 18 of 18 — including two capabilities OpenAI Codex CLI lacks: multi-file editing and JetBrains IDE integration. Those two additions are practically significant: multi-file editing means the tool can reason across a codebase rather than operating on isolated files, and JetBrains support opens the door to teams using IntelliJ, PyCharm, or Rider. Devin Desktop also maintains a solid release cadence with 133 tracked releases. OpenAI Codex CLI counters with an impressively aggressive update rhythm — 30 releases in the last 90 days versus Devin Desktop's 17 — suggesting a team iterating rapidly on the CLI experience and likely shipping fixes and improvements faster. It supports 16 of 18 tracked features, which is still a strong baseline for a command-line tool. The real differentiator is workflow philosophy: Codex CLI is purpose-built for developers who live in the terminal, want scriptable AI assistance, and prioritize composability with existing shell-based pipelines. Devin Desktop, by contrast, targets developers who want a more integrated, GUI-driven coding environment with broader IDE reach. Neither tool is objectively superior in every dimension — the right choice hinges entirely on where you spend your development time and whether cross-file, multi-IDE support is a blocker for your team.
Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if: Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if you work primarily in the terminal, value a rapidly iterating tool with frequent releases, or need to compose AI assistance into shell scripts and CI pipelines.
Choose Devin Desktop if: Choose Devin Desktop if you want complete tracked feature coverage — especially multi-file editing and JetBrains IDE support — and prefer a GUI-integrated experience that works across a wider range of development environments.
Key differences
- Feature coverage: Devin Desktop supports all 18 tracked features; OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16, missing multi-file editing and JetBrains integration
- Release cadence: OpenAI Codex CLI ships nearly twice as many releases per 90-day window, indicating faster iteration
- Workflow target: Codex CLI is terminal- and automation-first; Devin Desktop is GUI- and IDE-first
- IDE reach: Devin Desktop extends into JetBrains ecosystems; Codex CLI does not
- Total release history: both tools are mature, with Codex CLI edging ahead in total tracked releases (151 vs 133)
At a glance
| Tool | Latest version | Release date | Releases tracked |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI Codex CLI | rust-v0.155.0 | September 17, 2026 | 160 |
| Devin Desktop | v3.10.31 | September 16, 2026 | 137 |
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-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| Undo/Redo — Ability to undo and redo changes | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.7.16 |
| Diff View — Visual comparison of changes | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.9.19 |
Terminal Integration
Shell and command execution support
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Command Execution — Run shell commands | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| Shell Integration — Integration with user shell environment | ✓ since rust-v0.150.0 | ✓ since 1.13.3 |
| Background Tasks — Run tasks in background | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
MCP Support
Model Context Protocol server and client capabilities
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| MCP Client — Connect to MCP servers | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| MCP Server — Expose as MCP server | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| Custom Tools — Define and use custom tools | ✓ since rust-v0.147.0 | ✓ since 3.7.16 |
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 3.6.21 |
| JetBrains — IntelliJ/WebStorm integration | — | ✓ since 1.11.0 |
| Vim/Neovim — Vim or Neovim integration | ✓ since rust-v0.154.0 | ✓ since 1.12.31 |
| Web UI — Browser-based interface | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
Agentic Features
Planning, tool use, and autonomous capabilities
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Mode — Plan before executing changes | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.8.20 |
| Autonomous Mode — Extended autonomous operation | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| Task Decomposition — Break complex tasks into steps | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 2.2.17 |
| Context Management — Manage context across conversations | ✓ since rust-v0.155.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
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 |
| Subagents / Parallel Agents | January 25, 2026 | October 16, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 102d ahead |
| Sandboxing / Permission Modes | August 7, 2025 | June 16, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 312d ahead |
| Background Tasks | September 9, 2026 | April 15, 2026 | Devin Desktop first, 148d ahead |
| Hooks | May 8, 2026 | December 10, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 150d ahead |
| Skills / Plugins | December 10, 2025 | January 12, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 32d ahead |
| Project Memory Files | February 12, 2026 | December 11, 2024 | Devin Desktop first, 429d ahead |
| MCP Support | July 23, 2025 | February 13, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 160d ahead |
| Extended Thinking | July 9, 2025 | February 25, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 134d ahead |
| Voice Input | February 25, 2026 | July 17, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 224d ahead |
| Planning Mode | January 25, 2026 | June 10, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 230d ahead |
| Image / Vision Input | December 2, 2025 | November 27, 2024 | Devin Desktop first, 371d ahead |
| Headless / Non-interactive Mode | July 19, 2025 | April 28, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 283d ahead |
| Web Search / Fetch | June 9, 2026 | January 17, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 509d ahead |
| Checkpoints / Rewind | December 15, 2025 | — | only Codex CLI |
| Git / PR Integration | May 7, 2026 | April 2, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 401d ahead |
| Todo / Task List | May 21, 2026 | — | only Codex CLI |
| JetBrains Support | — | November 13, 2024 | only Devin Desktop |
Release velocity
Havoptic tracks 160 Codex CLI releases and 137 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.