Codex keypad: Codex Micro, MX Keypad and Orbtile setup

Two keypads are made with OpenAI Codex in mind: Codex Micro, a limited-run keyboard from Codex and Work Louder, and Logitech's MX Keypad. Codex Micro works with the ChatGPT desktop app. Its six Agent Keys show each chat's status by colour, and its Command Keys approve or decline requests. The MX Keypad runs prompt macros, code refactoring and voice commands for OpenAI Codex through Logi Options+. A third option is Orbtile, which turns the Logitech keypad into a live status pad for Codex desktop chats and terminal sessions.

Three ways to use a keypad with OpenAI Codex

The right setup depends on where you run Codex. Codex Micro is built around the ChatGPT desktop app. The MX Keypad maps tools and shortcuts in Logi Options+. Orbtile follows Codex sessions in the desktop app and the terminal.

Codex Micro in the ChatGPT desktop app

OpenAI calls Codex Micro "your command center for Codex chats." It lets you check on chats, jump between them, use voice input and trigger common actions or skills without leaving your keyboard. OpenAI says to check availability through OpenAI Supply Co. The ChatGPT desktop app also supports Creator Micro 2, available directly from Work Louder.

Set up Codex Micro

• Open the ChatGPT desktop app on your computer.
• Press the rear button once to turn on Codex Micro.
• Connect it with a USB-C cable or pair it over Bluetooth, then follow the setup that appears when ChatGPT detects it.
• On macOS, allow Input Monitoring when prompted so ChatGPT can respond to key presses.
• Open Settings > Codex Micro to choose what the keys follow or trigger.

By default, pressing and holding the dial for a short while also opens these settings. ChatGPT uses layer 1 on the keypad. Work Louder Input is not required for ChatGPT, but it can set up to five more layers with shortcuts for other apps.

Codex Micro has three Bluetooth channels. Tap the touch control to choose channel 1, 2 or 3, connect from your computer's Bluetooth settings, and wait for the channel light to turn solid. Plugging in a USB-C cable while the Micro is in Bluetooth mode charges it but does not switch it to a wired connection. To use the cable, open the connection selector and tap the touch control until the lighting under the Micro turns white.

For how the desktop app and the terminal differ, see Codex app vs Codex CLI: desktop app and terminal compared.

Agent Keys show chat status

Each of the six frosted Agent Keys can follow a chat and light up with its status.

• Press an Agent Key once to switch to that chat without bringing ChatGPT forward.
• Press it twice within 350 milliseconds to switch chats and bring the ChatGPT window forward.
• Turn on Focus ChatGPT with a single tap in the device settings to bring ChatGPT forward on the first press.

In Settings > Codex Micro, you choose what the keys follow:

• Most recent chats follows your six most recently updated chats, pinned or not, and is the default.
• Pinned chats follows the first six chats in Pinned.
• Priority chats puts chats waiting for input, unread chats and active chats first.
• Custom assignments lets you give each key a chat, shortcut, physical key action or enabled skill.

Command Keys, analog stick and dial

Codex Micro has no microphone of its own, so the Mic key uses your computer's microphone. For hands-free recording, press it twice within 350 milliseconds, then press it again to stop. To remap a Command Key, select it in the Layout preview in the device settings and choose its keycap and action. Reset layout restores the default Command Key and analog stick assignments.

By default, pushing the analog stick up turns Plan mode on or off. Right and left go forward and back in app history, and down shows or hides the sidebar. The dial has four modes: Composer navigation (the default), Reasoning only, Conversation scrolling and Custom assignments. You can also set the brightness, and choose an auto-dim interval from 30 seconds to one hour or turn dimming off. By default, the lights turn off after three minutes.

Troubleshoot Codex Micro on macOS

If ChatGPT shows that Input Monitoring is not set up:

• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Input Monitoring.
• Turn on access for ChatGPT if it is already listed.
• Quit and reopen ChatGPT, then confirm that it detects the Micro on layer 1.

Work Louder notes that Karabiner and Logitech Options+ can interfere with the Micro when those apps have Input Monitoring permission. To test, quit the keyboard utility or turn off its Input Monitoring access for a while, then reconnect the Micro. For hardware help, Work Louder's support address is [email protected].

Logitech MX Keypad with Logi Options+

Logitech sells the MX Keypad ($99.99 in Graphite on its US store) as "AI control keys for developers". With Logi Options+, its customisable LCD keys execute prompt macros, refactor code and launch voice commands across GitHub Copilot, Claude Code and OpenAI Codex. Logitech notes that these need an active internet connection and an account with each AI provider.

• The MX Keypad needs Logi Options+ version 2.07 or later.
• Logi Options+ runs on Windows 10 and later and on macOS 13 and later.
• Windows computers with ARM 64 processors are not supported.
• Native integrations for VS Code and IntelliJ navigate code, launch agents, manage debuggers and toggle terminals.
• The keypad detects your active app and swaps tools as you move between apps such as VS Code, Slack and Figma.
• You can build custom tools with the Logi Actions SDK.

Logitech states that the keypad cannot be used without Logi Options+. You can use the default profile and the pre-installed system plugin without signing in. Downloading other plugins or installing application profiles needs a Logi ID login.

Map a Codex shortcut with the SYSTEM plugin

For a terminal or editor without a Marketplace plugin, you can build a profile by hand:

• Click the + icon in the profile bar and choose APPLICATION PROFILE.
• Pick the app, or scroll down and click ADD APPLICATION to point to its executable file.
• Click START WITH A BLANK TEMPLATE, name the profile and click CONFIRM.
• In the right panel, click ALL ACTIONS and select the SYSTEM plugin.
• Drag KEYBOARD SHORTCUT onto a key, click the KEY field, press your key combination and click Save.

For more on Logitech's software, see The Logitech MX Keypad for developers, with and without Options+ and Logi Options+ alternative for the MX Keypad.

Watch and answer Codex sessions on a keypad with Orbtile

Codex Micro follows chats in the ChatGPT desktop app. If you also run Codex in a terminal, Orbtile shows every Codex session on the Logitech MX Creative Keypad or the standalone MX Keypad. Orbtile runs on a computer with macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later on Apple silicon, or Windows 11 (x64). It drives the keypad's nine LCD keys and two page buttons over USB, without Logi Options+ or an account. If Options+ is installed, its keypad profile pauses while Orbtile is in control. To hand the keypad back, press Control-Option-Command-K (Ctrl+Alt+Win+K on Windows) or hold both page buttons for 1.5 seconds. Orbtile Mobile shows the same session tiles on an iPhone or Android phone.

• Codex desktop chats, terminal codex sessions and codex exec runs each get their own key, with waiting sessions first.
• Orbtile reads Codex's own session files, so nothing needs to be installed in Codex.
• Codex keys use a cool blue palette over an animated orb and turn magenta-violet when a session waits for you.
• Tapping key 9, in the bottom-right corner, focuses the first waiting session, including sessions on other pages.
• Holding a session key for 0.6 seconds opens Focus mode.
• For compatible Codex desktop command approvals, press Deny on key 7 or hold Allow on key 9 for 0.6 seconds.
• Supported Codex desktop multiple-choice questions show options on keys 1, 2, 3 and 7, with Next or Send on key 9.
• Terminal command approvals offer Allow only, so to decline you answer in the terminal.
• Optional Codex hooks, installed from Settings > Agents > Codex, add a compacting state and slightly earlier updates.
• Through Remote Hosts, Orbtile can also show Codex sessions running on SSH hosts.

The same keys also show Claude Code, ZCode, Antigravity desktop app and Kimi Code sessions. See Codex notifications for finished turns and approvals and Approve agent tool calls without switching windows.