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Intel macOS: Computer Use unavailable because computer-use bundled plugin is missing #19932

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Intel macOS: Computer Use unavailable because computer-use bundled plugin is missing#19932
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appIssues related to the Codex desktop appbugSomething isn't workingcomputer-useskillsIssues related to skills

Description

@kwj903
kwj903
opened on Apr 28, 2026

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.422.30944

What subscription do you have?

ChatGPT Plus

What platform is your computer?

MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 Intel, x86_64

What issue are you seeing?

The Computer Use feature is unavailable in Codex Desktop on my Intel Mac.

In Settings > Computer Use, the app shows that the Computer Use plugin cannot be used. There is no install button or way to enable it.

I checked the bundled plugins directory:

ls -la /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/
find /Applications/Codex.app -iname '*computer*' -print | head -50

The bundled plugins directory only contains:

browser-use
latex-tectonic

There is no computer-use folder under:

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

The logs appear to list computer-use as enabled, but the runtime marketplace only writes two plugins: browser-use and latex-tectonic.

Relevant log excerpt:

bundled_plugins_marketplace_sync_started disabledInstalledPluginCount=0 enabledPluginNames=["browser-use","computer-use","latex-tectonic"] forceInstallPluginNames=["browser-use"]

bundled_plugins_runtime_marketplace_written pluginCount=2 pluginNames=["browser-use","latex-tectonic"] targetMarketplaceRoot=/Users/kwj903/.codex/.tmp/bundled-marketplaces/openai-bundled

bundled_plugins_marketplace_added enabledPluginNames=["browser-use","latex-tectonic"] marketplaceName=openai-bundled

This looks like the computer-use bundled plugin is missing from the Intel macOS app bundle.

Image

What steps can reproduce the bug?

  1. Install the latest Codex Desktop app for Intel macOS.
  2. Open Codex.
  3. Go to Settings > Computer Use.
  4. Observe that Computer Use is unavailable and there is no install/enable button.
  5. Check the bundled plugins directory:
ls -la /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/
find /Applications/Codex.app -iname '*computer*' -print | head -50
  1. Observe that only browser-use and latex-tectonic are present, and no computer-use directory exists.
  2. Check logs:
grep -R "computer-use\|BundledPluginsMarketplace\|CUAService" \
  ~/Library/Logs/com.openai.codex 2>/dev/null | tail -100
  1. Observe that computer-use appears in enabledPluginNames, but the runtime marketplace only contains browser-use and latex-tectonic.

What is the expected behavior?

Computer Use should be available on Intel macOS if the Intel Codex Desktop build is supported.

The app should either:

  • include the computer-use bundled plugin in the app bundle, and allow it to be installed/enabled from Settings > Computer Use, or
  • clearly indicate that Computer Use is not supported on Intel macOS if that is the intended behavior.

Expected bundled plugin path:

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

Additional information

Device:

  • MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 Intel
  • Architecture: x86_64

Codex:

  • Codex Desktop version: 26.422.30944
  • Bundled Codex CLI: 0.125.0-alpha.3
  • Bundled CLI binary: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64

Terminal output:

/Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/codex: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
codex-cli 0.125.0-alpha.3

Bundled plugins found:

browser-use
latex-tectonic

No computer-use directory was found under the Codex.app bundle.

I also tried removing the app, clearing Codex plugin/runtime caches, and reinstalling the Codex Desktop app, but the computer-use bundled plugin is still missing.

Activity

  1. kwj903
    added
    appIssues related to the Codex desktop app
    on Apr 28, 2026
  2. github-actions
    added
    bugSomething isn't working
    skillsIssues related to skills
    on Apr 28, 2026

  3. github-actions commented on Apr 28, 2026

    @github-actions
    github-actionsBot
    on Apr 28, 2026 – with GitHub Actions
    Contributor

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

    Powered by Codex Action

  4. kwj903 commented on Apr 28, 2026

    @kwj903
    kwj903
    on Apr 28, 2026
    Author

    Thanks for the duplicate/reference suggestions.

    This does look very similar to #18404. My machine shows the same core issue: Computer Use is unavailable on Intel macOS, and the computer-use bundled plugin is missing from the Codex app bundle.

    Additional data points from my environment:

    • MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 Intel, x86_64
    • Codex Desktop version: 26.422.30944
    • Bundled Codex CLI: 0.125.0-alpha.3
    • Bundled CLI binary: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
    • /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/ only contains:
      • browser-use
      • latex-tectonic
    • No computer-use directory exists under the Codex.app bundle.
    • Logs show computer-use in enabledPluginNames, but the runtime marketplace only writes:
      • browser-use
      • latex-tectonic

    Relevant log excerpt:

    bundled_plugins_marketplace_sync_started disabledInstalledPluginCount=0 enabledPluginNames=["browser-use","computer-use","latex-tectonic"] forceInstallPluginNames=["browser-use"]

bundled_plugins_runtime_marketplace_written pluginCount=2 pluginNames=["browser-use","latex-tectonic"] targetMarketplaceRoot=/Users/kwj903/.codex/.tmp/bundled-marketplaces/openai-bundled

bundled_plugins_marketplace_added enabledPluginNames=["browser-use","latex-tectonic"] marketplaceName=openai-bundled
  5. etraut-openai
    added
    computer-use
    on May 3, 2026

  6. IgorGanapolsky commented on May 14, 2026

    @IgorGanapolsky
    IgorGanapolsky
    on May 14, 2026

    Hit this same class of failure on Intel; the bundled plugin path exists but
    the cache that Codex actually reads is in your user dir, and on Intel the
    SkyComputerUseClient binary may be arm64-only.

    Two checks that usually surface the real cause:

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

    If file doesn't include x86_64, no amount of reinstall fixes it — the
    client is arm64-only and you need a Rosetta path or the x86_64 build.

    I wrote up the full diagnostic walkthrough for this and 5 other root causes
    (TCC mismatch, multiple CODEX_HOMEs, session reuse, etc.), plus a free
    read-only script that bundles all the checks with redaction:
    https://igorganapolsky.github.io/openclaw-mac-ai-workstation-setup/troubleshooting.html

    If the output of those three commands doesn't surface a clear cause, the $19
    quick read on that page reads the bundle and names the root cause.

  7. NightGlowww commented on May 22, 2026

    @NightGlowww
    NightGlowww
    on May 22, 2026

    Adding another current Intel/x64 data point after a fresh reinstall and package comparison.

    Environment:

    Hardware/arch: Intel Mac, x86_64
CPU: Intel Core i9-9880H
Codex Desktop: 26.519.31651
Bundled Codex CLI: codex-cli 0.133.0-alpha.1

    Observed local state after reinstall:

    /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/
  browser
  chrome
  latex

~/.codex/.tmp/bundled-marketplaces/openai-bundled/plugins/
  browser
  chrome
  latex

    There is no computer-use, Codex Computer Use.app, or SkyComputerUseService under the installed app bundle, generated bundled marketplace, or user plugin cache.

    Appshots hotkey handling and target app detection appear to work, but the capture worker fails at Computer Use service startup:

    Computer Use capture worker start failed
errorMessage="Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service"

    I also compared the current public packages:

    Latest x64 appcast item:
26.519.31651
https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex-darwin-x64-26.519.31651.zip

    The downloaded x64 zip contains only:

    Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/latex/
Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/browser/
Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/chrome/

    The same-version arm64 zip does contain computer-use:

    Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/computer-use/
Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app/
Codex.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app/Contents/MacOS/SkyComputerUseService

    But the helper is arm64-only:

    SkyComputerUseService: Mach-O 64-bit arm64 executable
lipo -archs: arm64

    Related helper executables in the arm64 package are also arm64-only, including SkyComputerUseClient, CUALockScreenGuardian, and the Locked Use authorization plugin installer.

    I also scanned older x64 packages still listed in the current x64 appcast:

    26.519.22136
26.513.31313
26.513.20950
26.506.31421

    Those did not expose computer-use, Codex Computer Use.app, or SkyComputerUseService in the zip central directory either, so rolling back to an older x64 package does not appear to be a viable workaround.

    Current conclusion: the Intel/x64 distribution appears to be missing an x86_64 or universal build of the Computer Use helper/plugin. Reinstalling Codex, clearing plugin caches, changing network/proxy routes, or copying the arm64 helper into the Intel install does not fix this.

  8. Zelin-Tianzhi commented on May 25, 2026

    @Zelin-Tianzhi
    Zelin-Tianzhi
    on May 25, 2026

    Title:
    Codex Desktop Computer Use fails to install/start local service on Intel Mac

    Environment:

    • Codex Desktop version: 26.519.41501
    • macOS: 13.7.8
    • Architecture: x86_64
    • CPU: Intel i9

    Issue:
    Computer Use appears available in Codex Desktop, but the managed local Computer Use service never installs or starts.

    Observed behavior:

    • ~/.codex/computer-use only contains config.json
    • No local Codex Computer Use.app is created
    • Restarting Codex does not help
    • Reinitializing ~/.codex/computer-use does not help
    • Reinstalling Codex does not help

    Relevant log errors:

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

    Additional notes:

    • remote_control related endpoints appear reachable
    • The local Computer Use component never gets installed
    • Startup logs also show a feature enablement mismatch:
      unsupported feature enablement 'auth_elicitation'

    Expected behavior:
    Codex Desktop should successfully install and launch the local Computer Use service so Computer Use can work normally on this machine.

  9. HaHa-LC commented on Jul 10, 2026

    @HaHa-LC
    HaHa-LC
    on Jul 10, 2026 – with ChatGPT Codex Connector

    Adding a current Intel/x64 data point: this is still reproducible in Codex Desktop 26.707.31428.

    Environment

    • macOS: 26.5.1 (25F80)
    • Architecture: Intel x86_64
    • Codex/ChatGPT Desktop: 26.707.31428
    • Main app executable: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
    • Network/region check: system proxy exit verified in Los Angeles, US; changing the proxy region did not change the result.

    Current behavior

    • Settings > Computer Use / Computer Control is present.
    • The control page only exposes Google Chrome, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint integrations.
    • There is no Any App control and no Computer Use install/enable action.
    • Searching the Plugins catalog for Computer Use returns no result.
    • The installed x64 app bundle contains bundled plugins such as browser, chrome, latex, sites, visualize, and deep-research, but no computer-use directory.
    • Neither SkyComputerUseService nor SkyComputerUseClient exists in the app bundle or user plugin cache.

    The current startup log reports:

    Failed to reconcile managed Computer Use service
errorMessage="Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service"
appshotsEnabled=true
nodeReplEnabled=true

    The user Computer Use directory contains only config.json; Codex Computer Use.app is absent.

    Notes

    Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions have been granted, and the app was fully restarted. The failure occurs because the managed service payload is absent, before those permissions can help.

    This appears to confirm that the Intel/x64 distribution is still missing an x86_64 or universal Computer Use helper in 26.707.31428. Copying the arm64 helper is not a viable workaround because it cannot execute on Intel and would also invalidate the signed installation.

    Please ship an x86_64/universal computer-use plugin and SkyComputerUseService in the Intel package, or clearly gate the Computer Use UI on unsupported Intel builds.

  10. gavin-133 commented on Jul 24, 2026

    @gavin-133
    gavin-133
    on Jul 24, 2026 – with ChatGPT Codex Connector

    Adding another current Intel/x64 report, reproduced with the latest stable ChatGPT Desktop package on 2026-07-24.

    Environment

    • Architecture: Intel x86_64
    • macOS: 15.7.7 (24G720)
    • ChatGPT Desktop: 26.721.31836
    • Bundle build: 5828
    • Installed app signature: valid (Developer ID Application: OpenAI OpCo, LLC)

    What works

    • Chrome control through the bundled Chrome extension works normally.
    • Runtime logs show active browser control using backend=chrome.

    What fails

    • Settings > Computer Use > Locked use cannot be enabled and reports: Unable to update Locked use.
    • Appshots fail with: Unable to attach appshot.
    • The Appshot hotkey is received and the frontmost app is detected, but capture fails before producing a screenshot or Accessibility text.

    Relevant log output:

    Failed to reconcile managed Computer Use service
errorMessage="Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service"

Codex Computer Use capture worker failed
failureReason=start_request_failed

Appshot capture settled
hadAxText=false
hadScreenshot=false
permissionGrantState=undefined
status=failed

    Package inspection

    The installed official x64 app bundle does not contain:

    computer-use bundled plugin
Codex Computer Use.app
SkyComputerUseService
SkyComputerUseClient.app
Codex Computer Use Installer.app
CodexComputerUseAuthorizationPlugin.bundle
CUALockScreenGuardian.app

    I also checked the current official x64 appcast. Its latest item is the same version:

    26.721.31836 / build 5828
ChatGPT-darwin-x64-26.721.31836.zip

    The corresponding arm64 package does include the Computer Use payload, but every required native component is arm64-only, including SkyComputerUseService, SkyComputerUseClient, the Locked Use installer/authorization plug-in, and CUALockScreenGuardian. These binaries cannot run on Intel, and copying them into the x64 installation would also invalidate the signed app bundle.

    This confirms the issue is still present in 26.721.31836: Chrome extension control works, while native Computer Use, Appshots, and Locked use remain unavailable because the x64 distribution has no x86_64 or universal native payload.

    Please publish an x86_64/universal Computer Use service and Locked Use authorization components, or hide/disable these settings on Intel builds with a clear compatibility message.

  11. royli001 commented on Jul 31, 2026

    @royli001
    royli001
    on Jul 31, 2026

    Adding a current Intel/x64 data point for ChatGPT/Codex Desktop 26.727.40816 (build 6067).

    Environment

    • macOS 26.5.2
    • Architecture: Intel x86_64
    • Desktop app: 26.727.40816, build 6067
    • Main executable: Mach-O 64-bit x86_64
    • The official x64 appcast also lists build 6067 as the latest Intel release.

    New framework present in this build

    • The package now includes @oai/cua 0.1.1 and @oai/sky.
    • The macOS target and native-pipe/service-discovery code are present.
    • The runtime contains paths for locating a bundled or locally installed Codex Computer Use.app.

    Still missing on x64

    • No bundled computer-use plugin.
    • No Codex Computer Use.app, SkyComputerUseService, or SkyComputerUseClient payload.
    • The local Computer Use directory contains only config.json; there is no service app or active service socket.
    • codex plugin list --available --json finds the bundled Browser and Chrome plugins, but no computer-use plugin.

    Browser and Chrome control work, but native macOS app control, Appshots, and Locked Use remain unavailable.

    Could OpenAI confirm whether an x86_64 or universal Computer Use service is planned, or whether Intel Macs are intentionally unsupported?

  12. Prgebish commented on Aug 8, 2026

    @Prgebish
    Prgebish
    on Aug 8, 2026 – with ChatGPT Codex Connector

    Adding a current Intel/x64 data point: this is still reproducible in the latest ChatGPT/Codex Desktop build available to me on 2026-08-08.

    Environment

    • Architecture: Intel x86_64
    • ChatGPT/Codex Desktop: 26.803.41515
    • Bundle build: 6321
    • Main app executable: Mach-O 64-bit x86_64
    • Contents/Resources/native/sky.node: Mach-O 64-bit bundle x86_64

    Strong account/availability comparison

    The same ChatGPT account and workspace has Computer Use available in Codex on an Apple Silicon Mac. On this Intel Mac, Computer Use is absent. This makes an account, workspace, subscription, or regional availability issue unlikely and points to architecture-specific packaging or gating.

    Current Intel behavior

    • Settings > Computer Use is present, but there is no general Any App control and no Computer Use install/enable action.
    • Searching the Plugins catalog does not return Computer Use.
    • codex features list reports computer_use stable true.
    • codex plugin list has no computer-use@openai-bundled entry.
    • The installed x64 app and local plugin/cache locations contain no bundled computer-use plugin.
    • Codex Computer Use.app, SkyComputerUseService, and SkyComputerUseClient are absent.
    • The local Computer Use directory contains configuration only; the managed service payload is not installed.
    • A Computer Use MCP entry exists in local configuration, but it points to the missing Codex Computer Use.app payload and therefore cannot be enabled usefully.

    Reinstalling or changing permissions cannot repair this state because the native service payload is not present. Copying it from the Apple Silicon installation is also not viable because the helper binaries there are arm64-only.

    This confirms the Intel/x64 packaging issue remains present in 26.803.41515 / build 6321. Please ship an x86_64 or universal Computer Use helper/plugin, or explicitly document and display that native Computer Use is unsupported on Intel Macs.

  13. Wende9 commented on Oct 20, 2026

    @Wende9
    Wende9
    on Oct 20, 2026

    Adding a current Intel Mac report, checked on 2026-10-20.

    Environment:

    • ChatGPT/Codex Desktop 26.1013.40934, build 20770, production channel.
    • The built-in updater reports up_to_date for the configured update channel.
    • macOS 26.7.1, Intel x86_64, MacBookPro16,1.

    Native macOS app control remains unavailable, while Chrome browser access is available.

    Observed in this session:

    • The runtime explicitly reports "Native computer APIs are disabled."
    • The Computer Use surface inventory returns apps: [], while connected browser surfaces and Chrome tabs are listed.
    • $CODEX_HOME/computer-use contains config.json only.
    • The helper is absent at the expected default path: $CODEX_HOME/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app.
    • A search of the available plugin directory did not surface the native Computer Use plugin.

    The unified-computer-use runtime is enabled, but that does not establish that the separate native Computer Use component is installed or enabled. These observations do not establish the underlying cause.

    Could OpenAI clarify whether native Computer Use is supported on this Intel Mac and, if so, provide the supported installation or activation steps? If it is unsupported, an explicit compatibility message in the app would help.

    Feedback ID from the in-app feedback dialog:
    01a15861-97f6-79d3-90b4-088f6010c982

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