Codex CLI installs a persistent, self-updating background daemon by default
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Codex CLI installs a persistent, self-updating daemon by default, sparking backlash.
A GitHub issue asks OpenAI to make `daemon_auto_start` opt-in (default `false`) for the CLI. Opening an interactive session since v0.157.0 starts a background daemon, copies the platform package (~374 MB) to `~/.codex/packages/app-server-daemon/releases/`, runs a detached updater that checks hourly, and pins the environment (proxy, cwd) from the session that launched it. The author provides a workaround: `codex features disable daemon_auto_start` then stop the daemon and updater process.
What commenters are saying
Commenters overwhelmingly agree the default is unacceptable, calling the CLI unusable on Windows and Linux. Some defend auto-updates as standard, but others argue professional tools should not silently run background processes or hoard 12+ GB of old releases. A few note package managers already handle updates without violating user sovereignty.