Provider-reported update · Source event Oct 15, 2026. We have not independently tested this release.
What changed
OpenAI released Codex 0.163.0 on October 15, adding a /config panel to the interactive terminal interface. The panel brings preferences into groups such as Appearance, Notifications, Input, Sessions and Text selection. Search spans the groups and shows which group each result belongs to, so a user can locate a setting without remembering where it lives. The merged implementation notes say supported preferences take effect immediately. They specifically list animations, composer stars, paste detection, automatic recaps and tips. Other changes can still require a restart, and the panel reports those requirements. It also surfaces save errors and configuration overrides instead of treating every attempted change as a successful save. A related update keeps selected setting descriptions and values more readable in narrow terminals.
Why it matters
For people using Codex in a terminal, this reduces the amount of configuration-file editing needed to adjust the working interface. Someone changing notification timing or checking a paste-related preference can begin with /config, search for the preference and read the panel’s save or restart notice. The practical distinction is whether the setting actually took effect: an override or save error still needs attention, and live application is limited to supported preferences. The implementation notes also describe local settings editing while disconnected. That concerns local preferences; it does not establish access to a remote repository or cloud task service. This report covers the terminal interface and makes no claim that the same panel controls the web app or a cloud environment. We checked the versioned release and two merged implementation descriptions. We have not independently tested the panel, compared task completion times or measured a productivity improvement.
Before you act
Read the original release notes and your version’s upgrade instructions. Test changes in a separate environment and keep a recovery path. This report does not verify every change in the release.
Sources and evidence
- 1. OpenAI — official source →Observed Oct 16, 2026 · official
Versioned provider release and GitHub release metadata; publication time is published_at, not the feed update time. Provider documentation, not an independent runtime test.
- 2. OpenAI — official source →Observed Oct 16, 2026 · official
Merged PR 52990 describes groups, search, persistence, overrides, errors and restart notices. Provider documentation, not an independent runtime test.
- 3. OpenAI — official source →Observed Oct 16, 2026 · official
Merged PR 53429 specifies the supported live toggles and search across all groups. Provider documentation, not an independent runtime test.
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