OpenAI's First Hardware Release Turns Out to Be Keypad for Codex

OpenAI has made its debut into the world of consumer devices, but it isn't in the form of a personalized smart speaker , as was recently rumored earlier this week -- nor is it a smartphone .

The AI company on Wednesday took the wraps off the Codex Micro, a $230 miniature keyboard designed to let you monitor and control Codex agents -- part of OpenAI's AI coding platform. The limited-run keypad was developed with peripheral maker Work Louder and is being sold through OpenAI's  Supply Co. merch store .

The Codex Micro includes 13 RGB-lit Agent Keys that display agent status and a customizable set of Command Keys for frequent Codex actions. It also has a rotary dial to adjust the AI's "reasoning level" and a joystick for launching common workflows.

Codex has been a popular app of choice for AI developers and  vibe coders . In April, OpenAI said Codex had more than 3 million weekly users. But nearly half of Codex use is for non-coding tasks, according to OpenAI. The company recently announced  a series of updates  to further integrate Codex into every part of your workday, not just coding. 

It ships with 32 extra interchangeable keycaps, connects via Bluetooth or USB-C and is compatible with Mac and Windows. Pre-orders list an estimated ship date of July 24. 

It's not quite what many were expecting. OpenAI's debut device was most recently rumored to be a screenless portable smart speaker that would "serve as a humanlike AI companion that lives in the home," according to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday. Previous rumors had suggested a phone with AI agents instead of apps.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

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