Codex desktop drained newly bought credits at a higher rate and also while being idle

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.810.52044

What subscription do you have?

Plus plan

What platform is your computer?

Windows 11

What issue are you seeing?

I had drained weekly limits and to continue with work I had bought credit 3 times. Once I crossed the lower limit Even with lower engines used, the utilization became very high. I had tried some best practices but the utilization is alarming.

The main issue beyond the higher utilization was that the credits I had kept in reserve for evening time work drained by itself without me issuing any active task to Codex. This is extremely frustrating. I have no means to understand how it drained and there is no predictability. Now I am starting to understand why Claude or Gemini would be a better alternative since they don't seem to have hidden charges.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

Not sure. Buy additional credits after weekly quota is over. Watch and wait to see the credits disappearing by itself.

What is the expected behavior?

1. Credits are used for known and active tasks in the foreground.
2. If at all any background tasks that take credits run, inform and get approval from the user before proceeding with it.
3. Make utilization of credits more quantifiable and predictable before the task starts executing.

Additional information

No response

The report names no files, tests, or entry points. Start by investigating desktop credit usage and any background activity around the Codex App on Windows 11, using the reported version and Plus plan; done means credits are charged only for known foreground tasks, background charges require approval, and usage is predictable before execution.