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Computer Use service missing on Intel Mac (x86_64) #42514
Description
What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?
26.901.20858
What subscription do you have?
ChatGPT Plus
What platform is your computer?
Darwin 25.6.0 x86_64 i386
What issue are you seeing?
Computer Use and Locked use do not work in the Codex desktop app on an Intel Mac. Enabling Locked use shows: Unable to update Locked use.
The application log repeatedly reports:
Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service
The expected SkyComputerUseService executable is not present in the ChatGPT application bundle or in the refreshed bundled plugin cache. Native macOS apps are not exposed to Computer Use; only the in-app browser is available.
What steps can reproduce the bug?
- Install and open ChatGPT/Codex desktop app version 26.901.20858 on an Intel Mac.
- In macOS System Settings, enable Accessibility and Screen & System Audio Recording for ChatGPT.
- Confirm the macOS user is an administrator and that no MDM profiles are installed.
- Open ChatGPT Settings > Computer use.
- Enable Locked use.
- Observe the error:
Unable to update Locked use. - Quit and reopen the app; the application log reports
Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service.
Also attempted without success:
- Restarting macOS
- Updating and reinstalling the desktop app
- Toggling the macOS permissions off and on
- Removing the bundled
unified-computer-useplugin cache and allowing the app to download it again
What is the expected behavior?
Locked use should enable successfully after macOS authorization, and Computer Use should be able to discover and control supported native macOS applications while the Mac is unlocked. When Locked use is enabled, Computer Use should also continue during an active trusted task after the Mac is locked.
Additional information
Mac architecture: Intel x86_64
macOS: 26.6.2 (Darwin 25.6.0)
Codex/ChatGPT desktop app: 26.901.20858 (x86_64)
Subscription: ChatGPT Plus
Feedback ID: no-active-thread-01a06710-9a24-7e21-ab92-39b83984bcb3
The bundled unified-computer-use plugin cache downloads successfully, but the managed Computer Use service still fails to start. Please confirm whether native Computer Use and Locked use are supported on Intel Macs. If supported, the current x86_64 package may be missing the required service executable.
Activity
github-actions commentedon Sep 3, 2026
Potential duplicates detected. Please review them and close your issue if it is a duplicate.
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t995jbypv6-commits commentedon Sep 4, 2026
On an Intel Mac (x86_64) running macOS 15.7.7, I use ChatGPT Plus with ChatGPT app version 26.901.22334.
I can reproduce this issue on the current build. The unified-computer-use plugin is present at:
/Applications/ChatGPT.app/Contents/Resources/plugins/openai-bundled/plugins/unified-computer-use
However, neither SkyComputerUseService nor Codex Computer Use.app is present in the ChatGPT app bundle. Running:
find "/Applications/ChatGPT.app" ( -name "SkyComputerUseService" -o -name "Codex Computer Use.app" ) -print
returns no output.
Native Computer Use is therefore unavailable on this Intel Mac. Is the x86_64 build currently missing the required native Computer Use service, or is native Computer Use intentionally unsupported on Intel Macs?
chaoso commentedon Sep 4, 2026
Fresh diagnostic evidence from 2026-09-04, with a newer official Intel build than the one above.
Environment and current behavior
x86_64./Applications/ChatGPT.app; its main executable is Mach-O x86_64.unified-computer-useplugin: 26.901.31953, installed and enabled.codex features listreportscomputer_use stable true.Native control still fails. The desktop log from this run contains:
The exposed Computer Use runtime says "Native computer APIs are disabled." Its state includes browser surfaces but an empty native-app list. Thus, presence of the unified browser-automation plugin does not establish that native desktop control is working.
New evidence: fresh official distribution artifacts
To distinguish a damaged local installation from missing distribution contents, I also inspected the current official x64 packages:
Neither inspected artifact contains an entry named
SkyComputerUseService,SkyComputerUseClient, orCodex Computer Use.app. The ZIP does contain theunified-computer-use/.codex-plugin/plugin.jsonentry. Searches of the installed app likewise found none of those native helper names.This narrows the problem beyond permissions or stale local plugin installation, but does not establish whether Intel support is intentionally unavailable or the helper is accidentally omitted.
Could the team clarify native Computer Use support for Intel Macs? If supported, please provide the required x86_64/universal managed helper in the official distribution. If unsupported, please document the architecture limitation and show an actionable unsupported-platform message instead of the managed-service spawn failure.
sjackson6 commentedon Sep 5, 2026
I can reproduce the loss of native Computer Use on a 2020 Intel MacBook Pro (MacBookPro16,3). Computer Use previously worked on this machine; I had noticed the failure by 30 August 2026.
Current environment and observed behaviour:
Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service. A search of the installed application bundle did not locateSkyComputerUseService. These observations do not by themselves establish the underlying cause.My main use case is keeping this Mac as a host for tasks that I initiate and supervise remotely from my iPhone. Losing native Computer Use substantially undermines that workflow and may force replacement of otherwise usable hardware.
This appears similar to this issue and the earlier report #38003. Could OpenAI confirm separately whether native macOS Computer Use and Locked use are officially supported on Intel Macs? If this is a regression, please link the reports and advise whether a supported workaround or fix is in progress. If Intel is intentionally unsupported, please make that explicit in the application and documentation.
yaxxelgraph-dot commentedon Sep 8, 2026
Confirmed on a newer Intel Mac build.
After a full macOS restart, native Computer Use still does not start. Browser control works, but the native application list remains empty and Adobe Premiere Pro (Beta) cannot be accessed.
The current application log still reports:
Failed to spawn managed Computer Use serviceThe installed application bundle also does not contain
SkyComputerUseService,SkyComputerUseClient, orCodex Computer Use.app.Feedback ID:
01a07d82-3a9a-73a1-a2e5-eae5dbabe1fbiwufox commentedon Sep 8, 2026
Reproduced on ChatGPT/Codex desktop 26.901.51231, checked on 2026-09-08. Please ship an x86_64-compatible (or universal) native Computer Use helper in the Intel package, or provide a supported standalone installation path.
Environment: macOS 14.5, Intel x86_64, Codex CLI 0.153.4.
Observed:
computer_useis enabled. The installedunified-computer-useplugin loads only thebrowsersurface; Chrome discovery works.computer-useplugin.SkyComputerUseServiceis absent from the application bundle and local managed-service directory. Startup logs reportFailed to spawn managed Computer Use service.Package checks:
ChatGPT-latest-x64.dmgread-only: version 26.901.51231; the native helper is absent there too. Its bundled marketplace matches the installed application's marketplace.Codex.dmgfrompersistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/: same app version. It containsSkyComputerUseService, butfilereportsMach-O 64-bit executable arm64, without an x86_64 slice.Thus, reinstalling the checked Intel package or copying the checked arm64 helper cannot restore native Computer Use on this machine. No app or permission modifications were made during these checks.
Could maintainers confirm whether Intel native Computer Use is planned, and whether an official compatible helper or workaround is available? If unsupported, please show an explicit explanation in Settings instead of leaving the installation entry absent while logging managed-service startup failures.
longshilei commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Additional reproduction on a newer official Intel macOS build
I can reproduce this on a MacBook Pro 16,2 with an Intel Core i7 using the official ChatGPT/Codex desktop app.
Environment:
Additional evidence:
Could the maintainers confirm whether native Computer Use is supported on Intel macOS? If it is supported, please provide an x86_64 or universal helper in the official package. If it is not supported, please document the limitation and show a clear explanation in the UI.
zangmanb-sketch commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Additional reproduction verified on 2026-09-09: native Computer Use is unavailable on an Intel Mac running macOS 15.7.7.
Environment
Observed behavior
Local diagnostic evidence
The application log records:
Read-only checks found:
These checks establish that the required native service is missing from this installed x64 build; they do not establish whether this is an intentional architecture limitation, a packaging defect, or local installation damage. We did not inspect a fresh distribution archive for this report.
Could maintainers confirm whether native Computer Use is supported on Intel macOS and provide a supported x86_64/universal helper or repair installation path? If it is unsupported, please make that clear in Settings and documentation instead of exposing enabled controls alongside a generic service-spawn failure.
This blocks the user's intended workflow of automating desktop video editing. No application binaries, security settings, or internal feature flags were modified during diagnosis.
jinlei-agno commentedon Sep 19, 2026
Reproduced on a newer Intel build, with an Apple Silicon comparison that helps rule out account/network configuration.
Environment
26.915.31945(build9922)15.8(build24H23)x86_64Resources/native/sky.node: Mach-Ox86_64sky.nodecode signatures verify successfullyObserved behavior
Unable to update Locked use.unified-computer-use@openai-bundledcomponent is installed/current, but the generated runtime exposes only the browser surface; the native-app list is empty.Codex Computer Usepermission entry is registered, because the managed service appears to fail before macOS can request Screen Recording or Accessibility permissions.The desktop log repeatedly reports:
Apple Silicon A/B comparison
The same ChatGPT account and network environment work correctly on an Apple Silicon M5 Mac: native Computer Use and Locked use are available there. This makes a network, account, region, or ordinary macOS permission problem unlikely and further points to the Intel packaging/support path.
Could the team confirm whether native Computer Use and Locked use are supported on Intel Macs? If Intel is supported, the current x86_64 package still appears unable to provide/start the managed helper. If Intel is unsupported, please disable these controls with an explicit architecture message instead of the generic update error.
m15315951167-dot commentedon Sep 23, 2026
Adding a newer reproduction on the same Intel Mac limitation.
26.917.5185626.3.1In Settings > Computer Use, enabling Locked use shows
无法更新“锁定操作”设置. The local desktop log repeatedly reports:Failed to spawn managed Computer Use serviceThe ordinary Chrome/Excel controls are enabled, but Locked use cannot be enabled. This still reproduces on the newer desktop build and a Pro subscription.
Lovell-918 commentedon Sep 23, 2026
Fresh reproduction on 2026-09-23 with the current production Intel build:
x86_64.26.917.62051(build10789), production channel. The in-app updater reportsup_to_date.unified-computer-usebrowser runtime is enabled, but native-app control is unavailable.Failed to reconcile managed Computer Use service appshotsEnabled=true computerUseEnabled=true errorMessage="Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service".Codex Computer Use.apporSkyComputerUseServicein/Applications/ChatGPT.app/Contents; the bundled@oai/sky/bindirectory is empty. The main app andsky.nodeare both x86_64, and the app bundle passescodesign --verify --deep --strict.This confirms the same failure persists on the latest production x64 build. Please clarify whether native Computer Use is supported on Intel Macs. If supported, the x64 distribution needs a compatible managed helper; if unsupported, please show that limitation explicitly in the app.
malici0us-link commentedon Sep 25, 2026
Adding another Intel Mac reproduction with the same Computer Use startup error, verified on September 24, 2026.
Environment
iMacPro1,1)x86_6424G83026.917.71314, bundle build10954com.openai.codex@oai/sky:0.7.1Visible problem and reproduction
computer.I cannot enable native Mac app automation through the documented setup flow.
Local evidence
Resources/native/sky.nodeare both nativex86_64binaries./Applications/ChatGPT.app/Contents/Resources/Codex Computer Use.appis absent./Applications/ChatGPT.app/Contents/Resources/cua_node/lib/node_modules/@oai/sky/binexists but is empty.SkyComputerUseServicenorSkyComputerUseClientwas found in the application bundle,~/.codex/computer-use/, or the OpenAI bundled-plugin cache.The missing plugin is my directly observed UI symptom. The service failure and missing helper files appear related to this issue, but I have not established whether the underlying cause is packaging, provisioning, eligibility, or an intentional Intel restriction. I have not separately tested every related feature, such as Locked use or Computer History.
Expected behavior / request
If Intel Macs are supported for Computer Use, the documented setup flow should work and a compatible helper should be available. If Intel Macs are currently excluded, please state that requirement in the documentation and UI.
Could the desktop/Computer Use team confirm whether this is a known Intel issue, whether this evidence belongs on a different canonical issue, and whether a supported workaround or fix is planned?
Computer Use setup documentation · Related community thread
The feedback ID I was given, after submitting feedback via the /feedback command in the app, is here:
01a0d55c-c8c0-7971-95ac-43842998d66d
Here is a diagnostics file compiled by an agent:
intel-computer-use-diagnostics.txt
JIMITY commentedon Sep 30, 2026
Following up with a fresh reproduction on September 30, 2026. Native Computer Use is still unavailable on my Intel Mac with the current production build.
Environment
x86_64, macOS15.7.9(24G830).26.928.20755, build12246, production channel. The in-app updater reportsup_to_date.unified-computer-useplugin:26.928.20755.Verified today
CUA_REPL_ENABLED_SURFACES=browseronly.cua.getState()returns an empty native-app list, and the runtime explicitly reports “Native computer APIs are disabled.”SkyComputerUseServicenorSkyComputerUseClientin the installed application bundle or the official bundled-plugin cache. The application's two candidate locations forCodex Computer Use.appare also absent.Resources/native/sky.nodeis anx86_64binary, but the companion native service is missing from this installation.These are checks of the installed build; I did not inspect a fresh distribution archive today. They do not establish whether Intel is intentionally excluded or affected by a packaging/provisioning defect.
Could the desktop/Computer Use team please prioritize triage and provide a concrete status update? Multiple Intel users have reported this across successive releases, and it continues to block native desktop automation.
x86_64/universal helper fix in progress, and is there a supported workaround or target release?Please also point us to the canonical tracking issue if this is being handled elsewhere. Thank you.
wadimxyz commentedon Sep 30, 2026
Still reproducible on a newer Intel build:
The main app binary and the bundled
cua_node/bin/nodeandnode_replexecutables are native x86_64. However, the application log still reports:
Failed to spawn managed Computer Use serviceThe app now contains the bundled
cua_noderuntime, so the packaging appearsto have changed since the original report, but native Computer Use still does
not start. Regular macOS screenshots work outside the managed service.
This suggests the issue remains present in 26.917.51856 and is not simply an
Apple Silicon binary being launched on Intel.
venxy777 commentedon Oct 2, 2026
Intel x86_64，桌面版本 26.930.21537（12776）。更新后签名校验通过，但应用包及安装目录均缺少 SkyComputerUseService，启动仍报 Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service。请提供官方 Intel 原生组件及插件修复渠道，并确认硬件支持范围。
yadam commentedon Oct 6, 2026
Adding a reproduction verified on October 6, 2026, after replacing the app and then fully uninstalling and reinstalling the official Intel build. Native Computer Use remains unavailable.
Environment
x86_64.26.7.1, build25G241.26.930.61225, build13232, production channel.com.openai.codex.up_to_date.unified-computer-useintegration is present and enabled. Startup flags reportappshotsEnabled=true computerUseEnabled=true.Reproduction and actual behavior
await cua.getState()followed byawait cua.getApp("com.apple.calculator").The inventory contains no native apps and lists only the in-app browser and MCP Apps backends. The Calculator call fails immediately:
Resetting the REPL and repeating the test gives the same result. Calculator cannot be opened or operated through Computer Use. The tool's returned documentation describes
getApp, but the runtime does not expose it.Service startup and missing files
The new app startup after the full uninstall and reinstall logs:
These locations are absent:
The bundled
@oai/sky/bindirectory is empty. Earlier checks on this machine also found no native helper entries in three cached official Intel archives:26.608.12217,26.609.41114, and26.623.141536. Those archive checks concern older builds, not a fresh archive inspection of26.930.61225.Recovery attempts
None restored native app access.
Separate signature observation
After the reinstall,
codesign --verify --deep --strict /Applications/ChatGPT.appreports:The reason for this signature result, and its relationship to the missing helper, are unknown. It is not being asserted as the cause of the Computer Use failure.
Expected behavior and requested investigation
If native Computer Use is supported on Intel Macs, the official installation should supply a compatible helper and allow Calculator to be discovered and controlled. If Intel is intentionally excluded, please document that requirement and show an actionable unsupported-platform message.
Please confirm the Intel support status and whether a supported workaround or helper packaging fix is available. This report includes only technical diagnostic excerpts; no personal filesystem paths, credentials, screenshots, or session transcripts are attached.
hughesnee commentedon Oct 7, 2026
Adding a reproduction verified on October 7, 2026, with a newer production build.
Environment
x86_64.15.8.1, build24H32.26.1002.51308, build13417, production channel.com.openai.codex.up_to_date.Reproduction
The same failure occurred before updating from
26.930.51102and still occurs after updating and relaunching.Read-only local checks
codex plugin list --available --json --marketplace openai-bundledcontains the installed/enabledunified-computer-useplugin, but no separatecomputer-useentry.codex plugin add computer-use@openai-bundled --jsonreturns:@oai/sky/bindirectory is empty./Library/Security/SecurityAgentPluginsdirectory is empty.These observations concern the installed build. A fresh distribution archive has not been inspected, and Intel's intended support status has not been established.
Requested resolution
Please confirm native Computer Use / Locked use support for Intel Macs and provide a supported compatible installation path if available. When required components are unavailable, Settings should disable the Locked use control with an actionable explanation instead of displaying an immediately failing toggle.
No personal filesystem paths, account details, full logs, screenshots, or session transcripts are attached. No application binaries or macOS authorization settings were modified.
the-mattchez commentedon Oct 7, 2026
I can confirm this issue still occurs on an Intel Mac with ChatGPT/Codex Desktop 26.930.61225 (build 13520), macOS 14.8.9 (23Jxxx).
The installed unified-computer-use plugin is generated with CUA_REPL_ENABLED_SURFACES=browser. cua.getState() returns apps: [], while Chrome and the in-app browser work normally. The app bundle contains the @oai/sky client code, but no native Computer Use service or active service socket is available?
Updating the app/plugin has not restored native app control. This appears to confirm that the Intel Mac packaging/provisioning issue remains present in the latest production build aswell....
ILoveRestockMonitors commentedon Oct 8, 2026
Additional verified reproduction on production build 26.1002.52244 (13536). Native Computer Use still fails in a fresh chat. Unlike a damaged local installation, this installed package passes signature verification but omits the helper and native plugin.
Environment
Observed behavior
code exists in the installed package. The canonical per-user helper is
also absent.
was found in the user config or the local requirements locations checked.
contains no native Computer Use helper entry.
Startup errors
2026-10-08T06:37:06.167Z
[managed-computer-use-service] Failed to spawn managed service isRespawn=false
2026-10-08T06:37:06.174Z
Failed to reconcile managed Computer Use service
appshotsEnabled=true computerUseEnabled=true skysightEnabled=true
errorMessage="Failed to spawn managed Computer Use service"
Expected behavior
An eligible Mac installation should provide a supported way to install and
enable native Computer Use and open Calculator with the documented interface.
If Intel native Computer Use is unsupported, the UI/documentation should make
that clear rather than attempting to start a missing helper.
Request
Please confirm native Computer Use support for this Intel release and provide
a supported recovery path or corrected build containing the helper and plugin.
No private account details, credentials, user-specific paths, or conversation
contents are included in this report.
monkeychenh commentedon Oct 9, 2026
Adding a fresh Intel reproduction checked on October 9, 2026.
Environment
x86_6424H32)Observed behavior
SkyComputerUseService,SkyComputerUseClient, orCodex Computer Use.app. Computer Use client type definitions are present, but these do not establish that the native service exists.These observations concern the installed build; a fresh distribution archive was not inspected today. They do not establish whether this is a packaging/provisioning defect, an enablement restriction, or intentional Intel exclusion.
Same-machine comparison
On October 8, I tested Qoder and QwenWork, and both successfully controlled native macOS applications, including Calendar, on this same Intel MacBook Pro. This demonstrates that native application automation is possible on this machine; it does not establish that these products use the same implementation as Codex.
Requested clarification and resolution
The desktop system requirements include Intel with macOS 14+, while the Computer Use setup documentation does not explicitly exclude Intel.
I would like to continue using Codex on this supported Intel Mac without replacing otherwise usable hardware simply because the native automation component is unavailable. Thank you.
No credentials, private account details, personal filesystem paths, full logs, or conversation transcripts are included. No application binaries, configuration, or macOS security permissions were modified during these checks.
jacob-shotwell commentedon Oct 10, 2026
Adding a reproduction checked on October 10, 2026, including a fresh official Intel download.
x86_64; macOS 26.7.1 (25G241).com.openai.codex.unified-computer-useruntime exposes browser control only; it is distinct from the nativecomputer-use@openai-bundledentry.Distribution evidence: The official Intel DMG downloaded today contains build 20052. Image checksums and the OpenAI app signature verification passed; notarization tickets are stapled. Inspection before installation found no
Codex Computer Use.app/SkyComputerUseService, no separate nativecomputer-useplugin in the bundled marketplace, and no nested Locked Use installer. The signed resource manifest has no entries for those native components.SHA-256 values match between the installed app and fresh payload:
70353627530f27dc011c4abcf40670ba1f3103664732e6d1e5134d373d3bd49602df04cf6f4805c1aa7b420dab11a07bc1d7e5f54e7ece2a2a809fc8a3a82e48ee4a7b53d065c3ca841d8f212dfe029592940e694c135a007f65bce48efee429Fresh startup excerpts:
Independent filesystem checks return ENOENT for the canonical helper and installer. This is not an errno recovered from the original spawn attempt. The inspected auto-install predicate requires native eligibility to pass; no local Computer Use disable or auto-install opt-out was found.
Locked Use: Enabling it also produces an error. The shipped code directly executes
$CODEX_HOME/computer-use/Codex Computer Use.app/Contents/SharedSupport/Codex Computer Use Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/Codex Computer Use Installerwithinstall. That file is absent. Its status getter catches errors and returns “off”; the enable handler shows a generic failure. This is consistent with failure before the optional macOS authorization plug-in can install, although the original click's exception was not captured.These checks do not prove Intel is unsupported or exclude every possible remote provisioning route. Could engineering confirm the exact supported Intel plugin/helper provisioning mechanism, or provide a corrected signed build? Please also make the UI actionable when these prerequisites are unavailable. No raw logs, private reports, credentials, or account/session identifiers are attached.
mishan911 commentedon Oct 11, 2026
Additional reproduction from October 11, 2026 (Intel MacBook Air, 2020).
Environment
Observed
Failed to spawn managed Computer Use serviceandFailed to reconcile managed Computer Use service. Startup diagnostics includecomputerUseEnabled=trueandcomputerUseAutoInstall=false.Contents/Resources/cua_node/lib/node_modules/@oai/sky/binexists but is empty;~/.codex/computer-usecontains a config file. Searches of the app bundle forSkyComputerUse*, a Computer Use .app/.pkg/.zip, and matching service executable names found none.pluginkit -m -Aproduced no matching OpenAI/Codex Computer Use entry.No changes to SIP, code signing, or system security settings were attempted. This report intentionally omits account identifiers, personal local paths and raw logs.
Could the maintainers confirm whether the Intel (x86_64) release currently ships a supported managed native Computer Use service and the authorization plugin needed for Locked use? If supported, is there an official remediation for the missing/failed service (or diagnostic bundle collection instructions)?
arden-1108 commentedon Oct 13, 2026
Additional reproduction: Intel Mac, 26.1007.41230 (20324)
Reproduced on October 14, 2026 (Korea time).
Impact as a paying Pro customer
I paid for the Pro plan specifically to use Computer Use to control Adobe applications, including Illustrator. I am extremely frustrated and angry that I cannot use the feature I paid for, even after reinstalling the app and trying the setup steps. Please provide a clear explanation of Intel support and a concrete resolution.
Environment
Reproduction and impact
I enabled ChatGPT in macOS Accessibility settings and reinstalled the app. The same symptoms remain. The current Computer Use inventory exposes browser surfaces and no native apps.
Diagnostic evidence collected during this investigation
Official distribution references
Requested resolution
Please confirm whether native Computer Use is supported on Intel Macs. If supported, please provide a corrected signed x86_64/universal package or an official recovery path. If intentionally unavailable, please state this clearly in the setup documentation and app UI. Please clarify whether this is a packaging defect, provisioning issue, or intended architecture limitation; the observations above do not establish which explanation applies.
This report omits serial numbers, account identifiers, personal file paths, screenshots, full logs, and conversation transcripts.