Everyday AI Podcast – An AI and ChatGPT Podcast

Ep 776: OpenAI’s Codex For Beginners: Why it’s better than Claude, ChatGPT and How to Start Using It

May 13, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Host Jordan Wilson argues that OpenAI's Codex desktop app has overtaken ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude Code and Cowork as the top AI tool for knowledge workers. Released in February for desktop (with a web version from a year prior), Codex acts agentically—controlling your computer, browser, and files without constant oversight—while delivering superior performance through top models, reliability, and unified memory.

Why Codex Outperforms ChatGPT and Claude Tools

Codex leverages GPT-5.5 high or extra high models, which lead benchmarks like Artificial Analysis (60 score vs. competitors' 57) despite middling Arena results for lower variants. Uptime is flawless at 100% for the desktop app, versus Claude Code's 99.2%, Claude.ai's 98.7%, and ChatGPT's 99.8%; this matters for chained tasks in enterprise settings, where failures cascade and low uptime risks major losses. Crucially, Codex maintains true cross-chat memory on desktop—recalling details like a user's favorite NFL team across new sessions—unlike Claude's siloed apps (chat, Cowork, Code) that falsely claim memory capabilities, as Wilson demonstrates live. Rate limits are also more generous on Codex's $20 ChatGPT Plus plan than equivalent Claude tiers.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Intro to Codex as Superior Tool** - Host explains shift from ChatGPT to Codex desktop app as the cutting-edge AI agent.
2 (02:27) **Big Picture on Codex Power** - Declares Codex the most powerful AI system, outperforming ChatGPT and Claude desktop tools.
3 (07:37) **Shift from Claude to Codex** - Discusses recent hype around Claude Code/Cowork but advocates switching due to Codex advantages.
4 (08:54) **Reason 1: Best Model Performance** - GPT-5.5 high/extra high leads benchmarks like Artificial Analysis (60 score vs. competitors at 57).
5 (11:09) **Reason 2: Superior Uptime** - Codex at 100% uptime vs. Claude's 99.2% (Code), 99.0% (API), 98.7% (web).
6 (13:52) **Reason 3: True Cross-Chat Memory** - Live demo shows Claude desktop lacks memory across chats/projects (silos fail); Codex recalls details seamlessly.
7 (20:07) **When to Still Use ChatGPT** - Lists workspace agents (background run), deep research, canvas mode as remaining strengths.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

OpenAI's Codex is the best AI system on the planet. 🪐

Yet, most non-technical users have never touched it.

Don't let the word 'code' in Codex scare you. Codex is OpenAI's forthcoming superapp, and if you haven't used it yet, you're literally asking for your competition to lap you.

On today's 'AI at Work on Wednesdays' we're going over the basics: What Codex is, how to use it, and why it's actually better than ChatGPT and Claude.

Tune in LIVE to find out.

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Topics Covered in This Episode:

OpenAI Codex vs Claude & ChatGPT
Codex Desktop App Key Features
Why Codex Is Better for Enterprises
Codex vs Claude Memory Functionality
Codex Model Performance Benchmarks
Codex Uptime and Service Reliability
Codex Workspace: Unified Workbench Advantage
Projects, Permissions, and Folder Setup in Codex
Hands-On Codex Desktop Setup Guide
Codex Plugins, Skills, and Automations Overview

Timestamps:

00:00 Comparing AI code tools

06:25 Live audience and podcast info

07:37 Switching from Claude to Codex

11:35 Autonomous system reliability issues

13:21 The importance of reliable APIs

17:31 Avoiding Claude for business use

21:43 Introducing Adobe's Firefly AI assistant

23:59 Exploring Codex settings and personas

26:21 Setting up codex file access

31:30 Using apps and connectors

33:34 Syncing desktop and web codecs

35:24 Codex as a unified workbench

40:15 Managing workflows in Codex

42:47 Previewing apps with Codex browser

45:08 How codecs enables autonomous work

48:15 Setting up Codex automations

51:17 Automating work with codex

55:24 B