[macOS Desktop] Multiple windows are unusable, blocking parallel work during long-running Codex tasks
What version of the Codex App are you using?
Exact version not available in this report. The issue is occurring in the current ChatGPT/Codex desktop app on macOS as of August 24, 2026.
What platform is your computer?
macOS.
What issue are you seeing?
Multiple-window usage in the ChatGPT/Codex desktop app is broken or unusable. I am effectively restricted to one usable window at a time.
This is especially disruptive when Codex is running a long development task. I currently have a notification implementation that has been running for roughly 1–2 days. Because I cannot keep another independent ChatGPT/Codex window usable at the same time, a long-running task prevents me from using the desktop app normally for other work.
I previously submitted a report about this issue, but the problem remains unresolved.
Steps to reproduce
- Open ChatGPT/Codex Desktop on macOS.
- Start or open a Codex task, especially a long-running development task.
- Try to open and use another ChatGPT/Codex window in parallel.
- Observe that multiple windows cannot be used normally/independently, leaving only one practical working window.
Expected behavior
I should be able to:
- Open multiple ChatGPT/Codex windows at the same time.
- Keep a long-running Codex task active in one window.
- Use a second window independently for another conversation/task.
- Switch between windows without one blocking or breaking the other.
Actual behavior
Multiple-window usage is broken/unusable, effectively limiting the desktop app to one working window at a time.
Impact
High for real development workflows. Long-running Codex tasks can take hours or longer, and without functional parallel windows the desktop app becomes a bottleneck: I cannot continue founder/product work in another ChatGPT/Codex window while the agent is running.
Additional information
- The issue has persisted after a prior bug report.
- Observed again on August 24, 2026 (Pacific Time).
- Exact app version and a screen recording can be added if maintainers need them.
- Please treat this as a multi-window/window-management regression rather than a request for multi-agent support; the problem is basic independent desktop window usability.
1 Comment
Potential duplicates detected. Please review them and close your issue if it is a duplicate.
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