Editorial illustration for OpenAI Codex records a task and repeats it, unavailable in EU, UK, Switzerland
OpenAI Codex records a task and repeats it, unavailable...
OpenAI's Codex now watches and learns. A new feature allows the automation agent to observe a single computer task—then repeat it indefinitely. Developers in Europe, however, cannot use it.
The "skill" creation tool is blocked in the EU, the UK, and Switzerland. It also needs the Computer Use setting, which the EU only gained access to on June 16. The broader update, version 26.616, introduces bulk management for automations.
It also lets tasks jump from a local machine to a connected remote host. Codex remains OpenAI's dedicated agent for coding and office work.
Codex turns that recording into a reusable "skill" and can then repeat the process on its own. The feature isn't available yet in the EU, the UK, or Switzerland, and it requires Computer Use to be turned on. Computer Use has been available in the EU since June 16.
Also new in version 26.616: bulk actions for the Automations history, plus the ability to hand off threads between a local and remote host to continue tasks on a connected machine. Codex is OpenAI's AI agent for coding and white-collar-work automation.
This is not a simple macro recorder. Codex interprets intent to build a replicable procedure. That shift could reduce traditional programming grunt work.
But that core promise is withheld from developers in the UK, Switzerland, and the EU. The other version 26.616 features—bulk actions and cross-machine handoffs—have a wider release. It highlights a stubborn reality in tech.
Where a tool is built and where it can be used are often very different places.
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Common Questions Answered
How does OpenAI Codex's new task recording feature differ from a traditional macro recorder?
Unlike simple macro recorders that just playback recorded actions, Codex interprets the intent behind a computer task to build a replicable procedure that can be repeated indefinitely. This shift from basic recording to intelligent interpretation could significantly reduce traditional programming grunt work by understanding the underlying logic of tasks rather than just mimicking keystrokes.
Why is the Codex skill creation tool unavailable in the EU, UK, and Switzerland?
The skill creation tool is blocked in these regions due to regulatory requirements and compliance considerations. Additionally, the EU only gained access to the Computer Use setting on June 16, which is a prerequisite for the new automation feature to function properly.
What other features are included in OpenAI Codex version 26.616 besides task recording?
Version 26.616 introduces bulk management for automations, allowing developers to manage multiple automation tasks more efficiently. The update also enables tasks to jump from a local machine to a connected remote machine, providing greater flexibility in automation workflows across different systems.
Are all version 26.616 features subject to the same geographic restrictions as the skill creation tool?
No, while the skill creation tool is restricted in the EU, UK, and Switzerland, the other version 26.616 features—bulk actions and cross-machine handoffs—have a wider release available to more regions. This disparity highlights how regulatory requirements can affect feature availability differently across various tools and capabilities.
Further Reading
- Record & Replay – Codex — OpenAI Developers
- Introducing Record & Replay - Codex — OpenAI Developer Community
- OpenAI launches Record and Replay for Codex, allowing users to turn manual tasks into reusable, editable skills — Digg
- Codex: Record & Replay in 9 Minutes — YouTube
- Memories – Codex — OpenAI Developers
