Codex Updates: Astra Context, CLI Worktrees, and Task Coordination

Experimental Context Management and Task Coordination

The release of GPT-6 Astra introduces an experimental context management feature that allows the model to search through previous messages and tool results within the same task. This aims to solve the issue of models losing track of initial requirements during long coding sessions. Users must opt in via the configuration file, and the feature is currently limited to Plus and Pro users. While Astra improves retention, it carries a higher credit cost, with the fast mode operating at 2.5 times the standard Astra rate.

Codex CLI now supports task coordination through at-mentions, allowing users to reference or send instructions between different tasks. This is paired with new experimental CLI support for Git worktrees, which enables developers to maintain separate checkouts of the same repository for different tasks. This allows for testing multiple implementation approaches simultaneously without file conflicts. Additionally, the CLI now supports inline questioning, where the agent can ask for clarification on non-blocking decisions while continuing to process other parts of the code.

Browser Integration and Terminal Enhancements

WebMCP site tools allow specific websites to expose programmatic actions to the Codex desktop browser, enabling the agent to perform tasks like filtering records or preparing exports directly through the site interface. This requires the website to explicitly provide these tools. Finally, the terminal has added experimental live voice conversations, accessible via the /experimental flag and the /voice command. This feature provides live transcripts and microphone controls, intended for explaining complex bugs, though manual typing is still recommended for precise file paths or commands.