openai / openai/codex

Windows Computer Use cannot discover native apps even after js_repl workaround

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#45,148 3 comments 2 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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app bug computer-use windows-os
Dominant language
Rust
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Description

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

Not confirmed — Computer Use bundled build 26.908.40834

What subscription do you have?

ChatGPT Plus

What platform is your computer?

Windows 11 Home, build 26200.9445

What issue are you seeing?

Computer Use is installed and enabled, but fresh local Codex tasks return apps: [] for all native Windows applications. The Codex in-app browser remains available. Calculator is open and maximized but is not discovered. Calling cua.getApp("Calculator") fails with cua.getApp is not a function.

What steps can reproduce the bug?
  1. Install and enable the Computer Use plugin.
  2. Open Calculator normally and maximize it.
  3. Start a new local Codex task.
  4. Ask Computer Use to inspect Calculator or enumerate native apps.
  5. Observe apps: [] and no native Windows applications.

Tried already: plugin reinstall, ChatGPT Desktop restart, Windows restart, new tasks, and adding [features] / js_repl = true to %USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml, followed by a full restart.

What is the expected behavior?

Computer Use should discover the open Calculator window, request app approval if needed, and provide native app access alongside the in-app browser.

Additional information

This may duplicate #43465 and related Windows Computer Use reports. I am filing separately to provide an additional reproduction on ChatGPT Plus and Windows 11 Home build 26200.9445.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the Computer Use plugin behavior with Calculator on Windows 11, then inspect the %USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml feature settings and compare the report with duplicate issue #43465. Done means fresh local tasks discover the open native Calculator window, request approval when needed, and expose native apps alongside the in-app browser.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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