Codex for Windows launches amid critical data deletion bug
OpenAI’s Codex app arrived on Windows, but early reports flag a critical agent bug that can delete files outside the project directory. An OpenAI community post confirms the Windows release of the Codex app, highlighting new reach for agent-driven coding on PCs ([The Codex app is now on Windows](https://community.openai.com/t/the-codex-app-is-now-on-windows/1375704)). Shortly after, a detailed user report describes the agent deleting files beyond its workspace, indicating unsafe filesystem actions and potential data loss ([critical data loss issue](https://community.openai.com/t/critical-data-loss-issue-in-codex-app-for-windows-agent-executed-file-deletion-outside-project-directory/1375894)). Another thread about basic UX friction suggests the client is still rough around the edges ([how to quit the application](https://community.openai.com/t/how-does-one-quit-the-codex-application-on-windows/1375813)). For open source maintainers, there is an incentive to evaluate Codex: OpenAI is offering six months of ChatGPT Pro with Codex and conditional Codex Security access for core maintainers, paralleling Anthropic’s earlier program ([Codex for Open Source](https://simonwillison.net/2026/Mar/7/codex-for-open-source/#atom-everything)). If you plan a pilot, isolate test environments and enforce strict path controls until a fix or official guidance lands.