Guide
Codex vs Claude Code: how they differ in daily use
Codex CLI (OpenAI) and Claude Code (Anthropic) are both terminal coding agents that read your repository, run commands and edit files. This page does not pick a winner; model quality changes with every release and depends on your code. It compares what differs in daily use, from OpenAI's Codex documentation and Anthropic's Claude Code documentation (checked 24 October 2026), plus our own testing of their hooks.
| Codex CLI | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Command | codex | claude |
| Plan it uses | ChatGPT plan (sign in with ChatGPT) or API key | Claude Pro or Max plan, or API key |
| Usage limits | Time windows tied to your ChatGPT account; see /status | Five-hour and weekly limits shared with claude.ai; see /usage |
| Project instructions | AGENTS.md (/init creates it) | CLAUDE.md |
| Resume | codex resume | claude --continue, claude --resume |
| Permissions | /permissions: when it may edit or run without asking, plus sandbox | Permission modes, allow and deny rules, plan mode |
| Hooks | Yes (prompt, tool use, permission request, end of turn), after you trust them | Yes (a larger set, including Notification) |
| Built-in worktrees | Create one with git and start Codex in it | claude --worktree |
| Editor extension | Codex extension for VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf | Official Claude Code extension for VS Code |
Where it matters most: limits
The practical difference for many people is not features but running out. Each tool bills its own plan, so when one is at its limit the other is not. See Claude Code's usage limit and Codex's; the free Usage Meter shows both in the VS Code status bar.
Using both
Because the instruction files differ, a project that uses both keeps an AGENTS.md and a CLAUDE.md (many teams keep the shared rules in one and point the other at it). Run them in separate worktrees when both change code. How to run Codex and Claude Code together covers the workflow, and Paneherd puts both in one VS Code grid with a status for each.
Frequently asked questions
Which should I start with?
Whichever plan you already pay for. Both have a learning curve of a few days, and trying a task in each is the cheapest comparison.
Is this page neutral?
We make Paneherd, which runs both; we have no reason to prefer one. Tell us on GitHub if a row is out of date.