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 October 10, 2026.
OpenAI Codex CLI (by OpenAI) vs Devin Desktop (by Cognition): a side-by-side comparison of tracked features, release cadence, and the latest releases of each tool. Data as of October 16, 2026, refreshed daily.
Verdict: Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop
Devin Desktop is the stronger choice for most developers, offering a fuller feature set and complete tracked-feature coverage, though OpenAI Codex CLI is the clear winner for teams who live in the terminal and prioritize rapid iteration. Devin Desktop supports all 18 tracked features, including Multi-file Editing and JetBrains integration — two capabilities absent from Codex CLI — making it the more versatile option for developers working across large codebases or within JetBrains IDEs. OpenAI Codex CLI, however, is not a slouch: it covers 16 of 18 tracked features and has shipped at a significantly higher release cadence, with more than twice as many releases in the recent 90-day window compared to Devin Desktop. That pace signals an actively evolving tool where improvements and bug fixes land frequently, which matters for teams on the cutting edge. Codex CLI's terminal-native design also makes it a natural fit for scripting, CI pipelines, and developer workflows that prefer composable command-line tooling over GUI environments. Devin Desktop's steadier cadence and complete feature parity suggest a tool focused on stability and breadth rather than raw velocity. The right choice ultimately hinges on your workflow: if you need multi-file orchestration, JetBrains support, or a polished desktop experience, Devin Desktop wins; if you value terminal ergonomics and frequent updates, Codex CLI is the better companion.
Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if: Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if you primarily work in the terminal, value a fast-moving release cadence, or need a tool that integrates cleanly into scripts and CI pipelines without a GUI dependency.
Choose Devin Desktop if: Choose Devin Desktop if you want complete feature coverage — particularly Multi-file Editing and JetBrains IDE support — and prefer a stable, full-featured desktop environment for managing complex, multi-file projects.
Key differences
- Devin Desktop covers all 18 tracked features; Codex CLI covers 16, missing Multi-file Editing and JetBrains support
- Codex CLI ships at a significantly higher release cadence — more than twice as many releases in the recent 90-day window — indicating faster iteration
- Codex CLI is terminal-native and composable; Devin Desktop is a GUI-centric desktop application
- Devin Desktop's steadier release pace suggests a focus on stability and polish over rapid feature turnover
- Both tools have accumulated substantial release histories, but Codex CLI has a larger total tracked release count overall
At a glance
| Tool | Latest version | Release date | Releases tracked |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI Codex CLI | rust-v0.162.1 | October 9, 2026 | 175 |
| Devin Desktop | v3.10.48 | September 29, 2026 | 139 |
Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop: key feature differences
OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of 18 tracked features; Devin Desktop supports 18 of 18. Both support 16 features.
What Codex CLI has that Devin Desktop doesn't
None in the tracked matrix.
What Devin Desktop has that Codex CLI doesn't
- Multi-file Editing
- JetBrains
Release cadence: Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop
Codex CLI ships more often: 36 releases in the last 90 days versus 13 for Devin Desktop. Counts are as of October 16, 2026.
| Metric | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Releases in the last 30 days | 16 | 2 |
| Releases in the last 90 days | 36 | 13 |
| Median gap between recent releases | 1 day | 5 days |
| Releases tracked | 175 | 139 |
| First tracked release | June 30, 2025 | November 13, 2024 |
What's new in Codex CLI and Devin Desktop
Latest OpenAI Codex CLI releases
- OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.1 (October 9, 2026) — OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.1 fixes a critical crash when handling multi-line questions and resolves startup issues caused by feature setting mismatches. These updates make the tool more reliable…
- OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.0 (October 8, 2026) — The OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.0 release makes URLs clickable throughout the interface and adds powerful new ways to organize your work, including pinnable tasks and Git worktree management for…
- OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.161.0 (October 7, 2026) — OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.161.0 now defaults to the faster GPT-6.1 Sol model and lets you customize your microphone and speaker settings for voice conversations. You can also log into MCP servers…
Latest Devin Desktop releases
- Devin Desktop v3.10.48 (September 29, 2026) — Devin Desktop 3.10.48 fixes a memory leak that could crash your Agent window when running long terminal commands, and dramatically speeds up typing and text editing by optimizing how settings are…
- Devin Desktop v3.10.35 (September 24, 2026) — Devin Desktop 3.10.35 fixes critical startup crashes on Mac M6 chips and resolves memory issues that were slowing down the agent command center. We've also smoothed out folder selection on remote…
- Devin Desktop v3.10.31 (September 16, 2026) — Devin Desktop 3.10.31 brings faster access to your recent work—switching to any of your 10 most recently viewed sessions now instantly loads its transcript. We've also strengthened security by…
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-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| Undo/Redo — Ability to undo and redo changes | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 3.7.16 |
| Diff View — Visual comparison of changes | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 | ✓ since 3.9.19 |
Terminal Integration
Shell and command execution support
| Feature | Codex CLI | Devin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Command Execution — Run shell commands | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 | ✓ since 3.10.48 |
| Shell Integration — Integration with user shell environment | ✓ since rust-v0.159.0 | ✓ since 1.13.3 |
| Background Tasks — Run tasks in background | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 | ✓ 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-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 3.10.35 |
| MCP Server — Expose as MCP server | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 3.10.35 |
| Custom Tools — Define and use custom tools | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 | ✓ 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-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 1.12.31 |
| Web UI — Browser-based interface | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 | ✓ 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-v0.160.0 | ✓ since 3.8.20 |
| Autonomous Mode — Extended autonomous operation | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 3.10.23 |
| Task Decomposition — Break complex tasks into steps | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 | ✓ since 2.2.17 |
| Context Management — Manage context across conversations | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 | ✓ since 3.10.48 |
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 |
| Git / PR Integration | May 7, 2026 | April 2, 2025 | Devin Desktop first, 401d 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 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, OpenAI Codex CLI or Devin Desktop?
Devin Desktop is the stronger choice for most developers, offering a fuller feature set and complete tracked-feature coverage, though OpenAI Codex CLI is the clear winner for teams who live in the terminal and prioritize rapid iteration. Devin Desktop supports all 18 tracked features, including Multi-file Editing and JetBrains integration — two capabilities absent from Codex CLI — making it the more versatile option for developers working across large codebases or within JetBrains IDEs. OpenAI Codex CLI, however, is not a slouch: it covers 16 of 18 tracked features and has shipped at a significantly higher release cadence, with more than twice as many releases in the recent 90-day window compared to Devin Desktop. That pace signals an actively evolving tool where improvements and bug fixes land frequently, which matters for teams on the cutting edge. Codex CLI's terminal-native design also makes it a natural fit for scripting, CI pipelines, and developer workflows that prefer composable command-line tooling over GUI environments. Devin Desktop's steadier cadence and complete feature parity suggest a tool focused on stability and breadth rather than raw velocity. The right choice ultimately hinges on your workflow: if you need multi-file orchestration, JetBrains support, or a polished desktop experience, Devin Desktop wins; if you value terminal ergonomics and frequent updates, Codex CLI is the better companion.
What is the difference between Codex CLI and Devin Desktop?
OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of 18 tracked features; Devin Desktop supports 18 of 18. Only Devin Desktop: Multi-file Editing and JetBrains. Both support 16 tracked features.
Which gets updated more often, Codex CLI or Devin Desktop?
OpenAI Codex CLI ships more often. In the 90 days to October 16, 2026, Havoptic tracked 36 Codex CLI releases and 13 Devin Desktop releases (175 and 139 releases tracked in total). Codex CLI's median gap between its last 21 releases is 1 day. Devin Desktop's median gap between its last 21 releases is 5 days.
What are the latest versions of Codex CLI and Devin Desktop?
The latest OpenAI Codex CLI release is rust-v0.162.1, released October 9, 2026. The latest Devin Desktop release is v3.10.48, released September 29, 2026.
Do Codex CLI and Devin Desktop support MCP (Model Context Protocol)?
OpenAI Codex CLI supports MCP Client, MCP Server, and Custom Tools. Devin Desktop supports MCP Client, MCP Server, and Custom Tools.
Release velocity
Havoptic tracks 175 Codex CLI releases and 139 Devin Desktop releases. See release frequency charts for side-by-side velocity analysis, or browse the OpenAI Codex CLI changelog and Devin Desktop changelog.
Related comparisons
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- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Kiro CLI
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs GitHub Copilot CLI
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Antigravity CLI
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Grok Build
More Devin Desktop comparisons
- Devin Desktop vs Claude Code
- Devin Desktop vs Cursor
- Devin Desktop vs Gemini CLI
- Devin Desktop vs Kiro CLI
- Devin Desktop vs GitHub Copilot CLI
- Devin Desktop vs Antigravity CLI
- Devin Desktop vs Grok Build
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.