To control its Codex agents, OpenAI uses a joystick macropad

OpenAI's Micro Codex materializes the control of software agents. A device with a dial and joystick to adjust the model's reasoning in real time.

OpenAI is adding a physical object to its software ecosystem: the Codex Micro, a mechanical macropad designed with Work Louder and sold for two hundred thirty dollars on its OpenAI Supply store, in either a Silent or Clicky version.

The idea is to take the control of Codex agents off the screen. Each Agent key displays in real time, via RGB backlighting, the status of the corresponding agent: thinking, executing, waiting, or completed, without having to switch conversations to check. A planar joystick triggers the most common workflows, from reviewing a pull request to debugging an error or refactoring. Dedicated command keys cover repetitive actions like accept, reject, push-to-talk, or opening a new chat.

The most unexpected detail lies in a dial: turning it adjusts the model's reasoning level on the fly—speed for simple tasks, increased effort when the work demands it. On the hardware side, the device features thirteen mechanical switches, a touch sensor, a rotary encoder, and the joystick. It connects via Bluetooth or USB-C on both Mac and Windows, and is controlled via ChatGPT Codex and the Work Louder Input software. The nod is fully embraced right down to the product sheet, which invites customers to order before the stock returns a 410 code.