OpenAI · 2026-09-29 · notable
Codex CLI 0.159.0 — steer the agent mid-response with instant interrupt
Codex CLI 0.159.0 adds an opt-in instant_interrupt setting that lets new input steer Codex while the model is still answering. It also adds a compact welcome screen, richer Mermaid charts and protects .aws folders by default.
Codex CLI's new release lets you redirect the agent without waiting for it to finish.
What is it?
An opt-in `instant_interrupt` setting is the headline of Codex CLI 0.159.0, released by OpenAI on 29 September 2026. With it on, new input can steer Codex during a model response or a long-running code-mode call. New sessions also open on a compact welcome screen with consistent headers and occasional tips.
How does it work?
The terminal UI's native Mermaid renderer now handles more flowchart edges, labels and node groups, and you can scroll the transcript while deciding whether to implement a plan. On the safety side, approved commands keep explicit filesystem denials, and `.aws` directories are protected by default under writable roots. App-server clients can page through thread history from a chosen item.
Why does it matter?
Stopping a coding agent that heads the wrong way usually means waiting or cancelling the whole turn; steering it mid-response saves both time and tokens. Windows users also lose the stray console windows that MCP servers and piped commands used to open. The release removes automatic follow-up prompt suggestions and the bundled plugin-creator skill.
Who is it for?
developers who use the Codex agent in the terminal
Try it
npm i -g @openai/codex@0.159.0