Codex Desktop: make high reasoning levels visually obvious
Problem
In Codex Desktop, the current reasoning-effort setting can be easy to miss after it has been
changed. This is especially risky for high and xhigh: those modes cost more and are most useful
when chosen intentionally, but the app does not make it visually obvious that a higher-cost mode is
active.
Request
Add a stronger visual treatment when the current thread is using higher reasoning effort, for
example:
- a subtle orange cast for
high; - a stronger red/orange cast for
xhigh; - a persistent tinted status/picker treatment anywhere the user can see the active model/effort.
The exact visual design can vary, but the important behavior is that a user glancing at the app can
tell when they are in a higher-cost reasoning mode without needing to reopen the picker or remember
what they selected earlier.
Why this matters
Higher reasoning settings are valuable when needed, but they should feel intentional. A persistent
visual signal would reduce accidental spend and make it clearer when the app is in a slower or more
expensive mode.
Edit: likely also applies to tui statusline