Skip to content

[Bug] Computer Use plugin remains "unavailable" on macOS Intel (x86_64) despite MCP server showing as enabled and latest Intel build #18404

Open

Description

@liyuyu0505

Describe the bug
On a fresh Intel Mac installation of the latest Codex Desktop App (Intel x86_64 build), the Computer Use plugin shows "Computer Use plugin unavailable" in Settings → 電腦使用 / Computer Use.
However, under Settings → MCP Servers, "computer-use" appears and is toggled ON.

The bundled plugin is missing from the expected location:

  • ~/.codex/plugins/cache/openai-bundled/plugins/ only contains browser-use and chrome folders.
  • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/ also does not contain a computer-use folder.

Environment

  • Hardware: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) – 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9, 32 GB 2667 MHz DDR4 RAM
  • macOS: Sonoma 14.7.8
  • Codex App: Latest Intel (x86_64) build (re-downloaded and reinstalled multiple times on 2026-04-17)
  • Codex CLI: 0.121.0 (latest)
  • Subscription: ChatGPT Pro / Plus (Computer Use should be available)

Steps to reproduce

  1. Install latest Intel build from https://chatgpt.com/codex/
  2. Open Codex App → Settings → Computer Use → shows "Computer Use plugin unavailable"
  3. Check Settings → MCP Servers → "computer-use" appears and can be toggled ON
  4. Check plugin cache folders → computer-use folder is missing
  5. Attempt manual copy, config.toml edits, rm -rf ~/.codex/plugins/cache/*, logout/login, full app reinstall → still the same result

Expected behavior
After installing the Intel build and enabling MCP "computer-use", the Computer Use plugin should become available (Install button appears) and allow granting Screen Recording + Accessibility permissions.

Actual behavior
Plugin stays permanently "unavailable". No Install button. Background Computer Use cannot be used.

Attempts already made (all failed)

  • Multiple full reinstalls of Intel-specific build
  • Manual cp -R of bundled plugins (folder doesn't exist)
  • Clean config.toml with [plugins."computer-use@openai-bundled"] enabled = true
  • Logout / Login
  • rm -rf ~/.codex/plugins/cache/openai-bundled
  • codex features enable plugins
  • Force Quit + restart App after every change

Screenshots attached

  • MCP Servers page showing "computer-use" enabled
  • Computer Use page showing "plugin unavailable"
  • Plugin cache folder contents
  • System Information (macOS + hardware)

Additional context
This started immediately after the 2026-04-16 update that added Computer Use + official Intel Mac support. Apple Silicon users do not seem to have this issue.

Would be happy to provide

  • Full app logs (~/Library/Logs/com.openai.codex/)
  • Any other debug info requested by the team

Thank you!

Activity

  1. added
    bugSomething isn't working
    appIssues related to the Codex desktop app
    skillsIssues related to skills
    mcpIssues related to the use of model context protocol (MCP) servers
    on Apr 17, 2026
  2. github-actions commented on Apr 17, 2026

    @github-actions
    Contributor

    Potential duplicates detected. Please review them and close your issue if it is a duplicate.

    Powered by Codex Action

  3. author2058 commented on Apr 18, 2026

    @author2058

    Potential duplicates detected. Please review them and close your issue if it is a duplicate.

    * [Codex app on macOS shows 'Computer Use plugin unavailable' while bundled plugin files exist #18258](https://github.com/openai/codex/issues/18258)
    

    Powered by Codex Action

    Same unavailable on my intel mac but not exactly duplicate with #18258 . In #18258 the Computer Use payload exists under openai-bundled/plugins/ path, which does NOT exist in the intel mac bundle. I can only assume that the Computer Use app for intel mac is not ready.

  4. Token-Eater commented on Apr 19, 2026

    @Token-Eater

    I can confirm this on another Intel Mac.

    Environment:

    • Hardware: Intel MacBook Pro
    • CPU arch: x86_64
    • macOS: 15.6.1 (Sequoia)
    • Codex app: 26.415.40636
    • Build: 1799
    • Region: outside UK/EEA/Switzerland
      Auth method: ChatGPT - apple

    What I verified locally:

    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/MacOS/Codex is an x86_64 binary
    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins contains only:
      • browser-use
      • chrome
    • There is no computer-use folder in the bundled plugins directory
    • In the app, Computer Use is unavailable

    So in my case this does not look like a permissions problem or a bad Apple Silicon install on Intel. It looks like the current Intel app bundle is missing the computer-use bundled plugin entirely.

    If helpful, I can provide any additional local diagnostics you want me to collect.

  5. mafiaboyhacker commented on Apr 19, 2026

    @mafiaboyhacker

    I can confirm the same issue on another Intel Mac.

    Environment:

    • Mac: Intel x86_64 (Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-9880H CPU @ 2.30GHz)
    • macOS: 15.7.5 (24G624)
    • Codex app: 26.415.40636 (1799)

    What I see locally:

    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins only contains:
      • browser-use
      • chrome
    • There is no computer-use bundled plugin directory.
    • codex features list shows:
      • apps = true
      • plugins = true
      • remote_control = false
    • com.openai.sky.CUAService is not registered on this machine.
    • In the app, Settings -> Computer Use shows the plugin as unavailable, with no Install button.

    So this does not look like a simple local config issue on Intel. It looks more like the Intel app bundle is missing the computer-use plugin payload entirely.

    Happy to provide logs from ~/Library/Logs/com.openai.codex/ if that would help.

  6. irvinghu07 commented on Apr 20, 2026

    @irvinghu07

    I can confirm the same issue on another Intel Mac.

    Environment:

    • OS: macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 (25D2128)
    • Arch: x86_64
    • Hardware: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
    • Codex app: 26.415.40636 (1799)

    What I’m seeing:

    • Computer Use remains unavailable in the app.
    • This is on an Intel (x86_64) Mac, not Apple Silicon.
    • The report matches the other Intel confirmations here and suggests this is still affecting the Intel build specifically.

    If helpful, I can also provide additional diagnostics from this machine.

  7. DeanHH commented on Apr 23, 2026

    @DeanHH

    I can confirm the same issue on another Intel Mac.

    Environment:

    OS: macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 (25D771280a)
    Arch: 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
    Hardware: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
    Codex app: 26.417.41555 (1858)
    What I’m seeing:

    Computer Use remains unavailable in the app.
    This is on an Intel (x86_64) Mac, not Apple Silicon.
    The report matches the other Intel confirmations here and suggests this is still affecting the Intel build specifically.
    If helpful, I can also provide additional diagnostics from this machine.

  8. lexkyiv commented on Apr 24, 2026

    @lexkyiv

    After recent codex app update issue still persist

  9. shrijit37 commented on Apr 24, 2026

    @shrijit37

    when will they fix it its such a bad experience

  10. kieran-steele commented on Apr 24, 2026

    @kieran-steele

    When will someone confirm, ah it doesn’t and will never work, and as Apple has now sunsetted intel development you must use some other tool for this part

  11. shrijit37 commented on Apr 24, 2026

    @shrijit37

    Temporary workaround for the Intel Mac GUI rendering bug:

    On my Intel Mac, swiftshader renders correctly but is too slow to use. The first hardware-backed combo I found that rendered the broken Plugins page correctly was:

    --disable-gpu-sandbox --use-angle=gl --disable-zero-copy

    I verified this by repeatedly relaunching the app and capturing the actual Codex window while switching to the broken Plugins view.

    What I tested:

    • --use-angle=metal: faster, but stale or incorrect repaints remained
    • --use-angle=metal --disable-gpu-rasterization: still broken
    • --use-angle=metal --disable-zero-copy: still broken
    • --disable-gpu-sandbox --use-angle=swiftshader: visually correct, but very laggy
    • --disable-gpu-sandbox --use-angle=gl: much better
    • --disable-gpu-sandbox --use-angle=gl --disable-zero-copy: best fast workaround I found

    I wrapped the app executable so every launch path uses:
    --disable-gpu-sandbox --use-angle=gl --disable-zero-copy

    This is only a workaround, not a real fix, but it made the Intel Mac GUI usable for me.

  12. Token-Eater commented on Apr 24, 2026

    @Token-Eater
  13. 4 remaining items

  14. enlaichu commented on May 9, 2026

    @enlaichu

    I can confirm this is still happening on another Intel Mac with a newer Codex build.

    Environment:

    • Hardware: MacBook Pro (MacBookPro11,3), Intel Core i7
    • Arch: x86_64
    • macOS: 15.7.5 (24G624)
    • Codex app: 26.506.31421
    • Codex bundle build: 2620
    • Codex executable: /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/MacOS/Codex is Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64

    What I see in the app:

    • Settings -> Computer use exists.
    • It only shows Google Chrome under Control.
    • There is no visible install card/button for a general Computer Use plugin.
    • Always-allowed apps is empty.

    What I verified locally:

    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/.agents/plugins/marketplace.json only lists:
      • browser-use
      • chrome
      • latex-tectonic
    • /Users/<user>/.codex/.tmp/bundled-marketplaces/openai-bundled/.agents/plugins/marketplace.json has the same list.
    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/ has no computer-use directory.
    • /Users/<user>/.codex/plugins/cache/openai-bundled/ only has browser-use and chrome; no computer-use cache entry.

    This does not look like a Screen Recording / Accessibility permission issue or a slow-machine issue. The Intel app bundle/marketplace appears to omit the computer-use plugin payload entirely.

  15. vulcanhelix commented on May 11, 2026

    @vulcanhelix

    Adding another data point from a fresh reinstall.

    Machine:

    • macOS 15.0.1 (24A348)
    • Intel x86_64
    • Codex 26.506.31421 / build 2620
    • Codex app minimum macOS: 12.0

    After deleting /Applications/Codex.app and reinstalling fresh, the bundled plugin directory still contains only:

    • latex-tectonic
    • chrome
    • browser-use

    No computer-use bundle exists under:
    /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins

    Also no matching computer/cua files are present under:
    /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources

    Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions were already granted. The Codex settings UI shows the Computer use page and Chrome connected, but @computer is not exposed as a usable tool in the thread.

    This looks like the Intel x86_64 app bundle is still missing the computer-use plugin rather than a permissions or stale-install issue.

  16. REKAPPS commented on May 13, 2026

    @REKAPPS

    for me i have a black screen covering plugins and Skills!

  17. IgorGanapolsky commented on May 13, 2026

    @IgorGanapolsky

    For anyone trying to separate local setup problems from an actual Intel bundle issue, the useful split is:

    uname -m
    /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/MacOS/Codex --version 2>/dev/null || true
    find /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled -maxdepth 3 -type d -name "*computer*" -o -name "*cua*"
    find ~/.codex/plugins/cache/openai-bundled -maxdepth 3 -type d -name "*computer*" -o -name "*cua*"

    If those paths have no computer-use/CUA payload on x86_64, this is not something Screen Recording, Accessibility, cache clearing, or config.toml can repair. Those steps only matter after the plugin/helper payload exists.

    For a user-facing workaround checklist I would treat this as:

    • Intel Codex Desktop Computer Use: likely blocked until an x86_64/universal computer-use payload ships.
    • Browser automation: use the bundled browser/chrome plugin where sufficient.
    • Native Mac app control: use a separate macOS automation stack only if it is explicitly installed and verified.
    • Avoid copying plugin folders from another machine unless architecture/signing compatibility is known, because that can create a worse half-installed state.

    I keep a Mac AI-agent setup checklist here that may help users rule out the setup-layer causes before assuming this Intel bundle bug: https://igorganapolsky.github.io/openclaw-mac-ai-workstation-setup/troubleshooting.html

    If someone wants a done-for-you Mac agent setup/audit rather than debugging permissions, bundles, and routing manually, I packaged that here: https://igorganapolsky.github.io/openclaw-mac-ai-workstation-setup/

  18. crakesh27 commented on May 13, 2026

    @crakesh27

    for me i have a black screen covering plugins and Skills!

    UI glitch, resize the app, sometimes it shows up :)

  19. IgorGanapolsky commented on May 14, 2026

    @IgorGanapolsky

    Hit this exact failure shape on Intel — MCP server shows as enabled, plugin files exist, but Computer Use never becomes available. The piece that usually breaks Intel specifically is that SkyComputerUseClient is shipped arm64-only in the bundled plugin, so even though the marketplace add succeeds and the cache hydrates, the binary can't actually load on x86_64.

    codex mcp list
    file /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/computer-use/*/SkyComputerUseClient
    ls -la ~/.codex/plugins/cache/openai-bundled/computer-use/*/.mcp.json
    

    If file doesn't include x86_64, no reinstall will work — the client is arm64-only and you need either Rosetta + an x86_64-compatible launcher, or an x86_64 build.

    Full walkthrough of this and 5 other root causes (cache hydration, TCC bundle mismatch, OpenRouter fallback inheritance, child-process Apple Events posture, multiple Codex homes, session reuse): https://igorganapolsky.github.io/openclaw-mac-ai-workstation-setup/troubleshooting.html

    Free script in the repo (scripts/self-diagnose.mjs) bundles all six checks with secret redaction. $19 quick read on the same page names the root cause from your bundle.

  20. rosswaycaster commented on May 15, 2026

    @rosswaycaster

    I can reproduce this on another Intel Mac.

    Environment:

    • Hardware/arch: Intel Mac, x86_64
    • macOS: 15.7.4
    • Codex Desktop: 26.513.20950
    • Bundled Codex CLI: codex-cli 0.131.0-alpha.9
    • Bundled CLI binary: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64

    Local findings:

    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/ contains only:
      • browser
      • chrome
      • latex
    • There is no computer-use plugin in the app bundle.
    • ~/.codex/plugins/cache/openai-bundled/ contains only:
      • browser/0.1.0-alpha2
      • chrome/0.1.7
    • There is no cached computer-use plugin.

    The generated bundled marketplace also excludes computer-use:

    bundled_plugins_runtime_marketplace_written pluginCount=3 pluginNames=["browser","chrome","latex"] targetMarketplaceRoot=/Users/rw/.codex/.tmp/bundled-marketplaces/openai-bundled
    

    So this still appears to be a packaging/architecture issue on Intel macOS: the Intel build is not shipping computer-use, and the app has no installable computer-use@openai-bundled plugin available.

    This is on a newer build than the original report, so the issue appears to still reproduce in 26.513.20950.

  21. pashudepig commented on May 23, 2026

    @pashudepig

    I can reproduce this Appshot / Computer Use failure on an Intel Mac. This does not appear to be a permissions issue.

    Environment:

    • macOS: 13.7.8
    • Architecture: x86_64 / Intel
    • Codex app: 26.519.31651
    • Installed Codex binary: x86_64
    • Installed Contents/Resources/native/sky.node: x86_64

    Observed behavior:

    • Appshot fails with Unable to attach appshot.
    • Codex logs repeatedly show:
      • Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service
      • Appshot capture settled ... status=failed

    Local bundle inspection:

    • The installed x64 app bundle does not contain:
      • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/computer-use
      • Codex Computer Use.app
      • SkyComputerUseService
    • The current official x64 DMG (Codex-latest-x64.dmg) also lacks the computer-use plugin.
    • The current Apple Silicon DMG contains computer-use, but SkyComputerUseService is arm64-only and has minimum macOS 14.4, so it cannot run on this Intel/macOS 13 machine.

    Update feeds checked:

    • https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/appcast.xml lists only arm64 app zip builds.
    • https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-beta/appcast.xml also lists only darwin-arm64 app zip builds, including older 26.415.x builds.
    • I could not find any x86_64 or universal Computer Use helper in the official stable or beta feeds.

    Conclusion:

    For Intel/macOS 13 users, Appshot appears to be unavailable because the official x64 build does not ship a compatible Computer Use service. Please publish an x86_64 or universal computer-use / SkyComputerUseService component, or update the UI/download compatibility messaging so Intel users do not get stuck on a permissions flow that cannot succeed.

  22. fuyue888 commented on Jun 30, 2026

    @fuyue888

    I can reproduce this on another Intel Mac, and it still appears unresolved on the current Codex Desktop build I have installed.

    Environment:

    • Hardware/arch: Intel Mac, x86_64
    • Codex Desktop app: 26.623.70822
    • Codex app executable: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
    • Bundled CLI: codex-cli 0.142.4
    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/native/sky.node: Mach-O 64-bit bundle x86_64

    Observed behavior:

    • Settings -> Computer Use -> Chrome is connected and green.
    • Settings -> Computer Use -> Locked use / 锁屏操作 fails with the toast: 无法更新“锁定操作”设置.
    • The expected installer path does not exist:
    ~/.codex/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app/Contents/SharedSupport/Codex Computer Use Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/Codex Computer Use Installer
    

    Local bundle/cache findings:

    /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/
    

    contains only:

    browser
    chrome
    latex
    sites
    

    There is no:

    /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/computer-use
    

    The generated bundled marketplace also does not list computer-use; it only lists:

    sites
    browser
    chrome
    latex
    

    User cache is also missing the service payload:

    ~/.codex/computer-use
    

    contains only:

    config.json
    

    Codex logs repeatedly show:

    Failed to reconcile managed Computer Use service
    Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service
    

    I also inspected the app main process code. The Locked Use toggle calls the expected installer under ~/.codex/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app/.../Codex Computer Use Installer, but that app is never copied because the bundled computer-use plugin/payload is missing from this x86_64 build.

    So this still looks like an Intel/x86_64 packaging issue rather than a TCC/permissions/config problem. Reinstalling, reconnecting Chrome, restarting, and clearing local config do not create the missing computer-use payload.

  23. jieme54 commented on Jul 7, 2026

    @jieme54

    I can confirm that I am experiencing the same issue on an Intel Mac.

    Environment
    Mac model: MacBook Pro 16" (2019)
    Processor: Intel
    Architecture: x86_64
    macOS version: macOS Sonoma 14.5
    Codex app version/build: Codex 26.623.141536
    Subscription: Plus

    Observed behavior
    Computer Use is unavailable in the Codex app.
    There is no usable installation option for the Computer Use plugin.
    The Intel Codex application bundle does not appear to contain the computer-use plugin or the required native service.
    Updating macOS and reinstalling the latest Intel version of Codex did not resolve the issue.
    This does not appear to be caused by Screen Recording or Accessibility permissions.
    This seems consistent with the other reports indicating that the official Intel (x86_64) package does not include an Intel-compatible or universal Computer Use service.

    Could the OpenAI team please confirm whether Computer Use is intended to support Intel Macs, and whether an x86_64 or universal build is planned?
    Thank you.

  24. Zyan-W commented on Jul 22, 2026

    @Zyan-W

    Same problem here.

    Intel Mac (x86_64), macOS 15.7.4
    ChatGPT 26.715.72359, build 5718

    Computer Use is absent from the bundled openai-bundled marketplace.
    "codex plugin add computer-use@openai-bundled" returns:
    plugin 'computer-use' was not found.

    The official x64 package contains neither:

    • plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/computer-use
    • Codex Computer Use.app
    • SkyComputerUseClient.app

    However, the official arm64 package contains the Computer Use plugin.
    Please confirm whether Computer Use/Appshots currently support Intel Macs
    or whether the x64 package is missing these components.

  25. lgch3136 commented on Jul 25, 2026

    @lgch3136

    Another affected user on an Intel Mac (x86_64) reports that Appshots fail with “Unable to attach appshot” even after granting Screen & System Audio Recording and Accessibility permissions to ChatGPT. They rely on this feature to share and discuss on-screen content, so restoring a compatible Computer Use/Appshots service for Intel Macs is urgently needed. This appears to match the missing Computer Use payload reports in this thread.

  26. Rawlusdivision commented on Sep 8, 2026

    @Rawlusdivision

    Additional report: Intel Mac — browser connected, native Computer Use unavailable

    I’m experiencing similar symptoms on an Intel Mac.

    Environment

    • Architecture: Intel / x86_64
    • macOS: 26.6.2
    • Current app version/build: Not yet verified

    Observed behaviour

    • Chrome connects successfully through Computer Use.
    • The agent can list Chrome tabs.
    • Native desktop apps are not exposed: the Computer Use state returns apps: [].
    • The task reports native desktop control as disabled.
    • Repeating the availability check produces the same result.

    Additional context
    Earlier troubleshooting found two older Apple Silicon-only Codex installations, both version 260205.1301 (build 554). Those copies were incompatible with this Intel Mac. Their version should not be treated as the version of the currently running app.

    An Accessibility entry also appeared to disappear after adding Codex, but we have not established whether that is related.

    Diagnostic limitation
    We have not yet inspected the currently running app’s bundle to confirm whether its native Computer Use helper is missing or incompatible. This report confirms the symptoms, rather than the underlying packaging cause.

    Could the team confirm whether native Computer Use currently supports Intel Macs and, if so, which app build includes a compatible x86_64 or universal helper?

  27. blaketairan commented on Sep 8, 2026

    @blaketairan

    Adding a current-build confirmation from an Intel Mac mini. This still reproduces with ChatGPT/Codex desktop app 26.901.51231; I verified the service paths on September 9, 2026.

    Environment

    • Mac mini (2018), Macmini8,1
    • Intel Core i7, 3.2 GHz, 6 cores; x86_64
    • macOS Sequoia 15.7.7 (build 24G720)
    • Desktop app 26.901.51231 (also affected on 26.901.41123)

    Verified observations

    • The “Any App” entry is unavailable in Computer Use settings, and native apps are not exposed to the agent.
    • The unified-computer-use plugin configuration/resources are present after restoring the plugin cache.
    • However, both expected native service bundles are missing:
      ~/.codex/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app
      /Applications/ChatGPT.app/Contents/Resources/cua_node/lib/node_modules/@oai/sky/Codex Computer Use.app
      
      Therefore, Contents/MacOS/SkyComputerUseService is absent at both locations.
    • Logs repeatedly report Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service and Failed to reconcile managed Computer Use service, including with computerUseEnabled=true.

    Restarting the app, updating it, and restoring the plugin cache did not resolve native Computer Use. The cache can be restored successfully while the required native service remains missing.

    Could the team confirm whether native Computer Use is intended to support Intel Macs and, if so, which build supplies the x86_64 or universal service? If Intel is unsupported, an explicit compatibility message would help avoid repeated reinstall/permission troubleshooting.

    Detailed diagnostics in #42222. That report also describes a separate Chrome problem; I have not established that it shares this native-service cause.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment

Metadata

Metadata

Assignees

No one assigned

    Labels

    appIssues related to the Codex desktop appbugSomething isn't workingcomputer-usemcpIssues related to the use of model context protocol (MCP) serversskillsIssues related to skills

    Type

    No type

    Projects

    No projects

      Milestone

      No milestone

      Relationships

      None yet

      Development

      No branches or pull requests

      Issue actions