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Windows Computer Use cannot access native apps: empty app inventory and sky RPC unavailable #43596
Description
What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?
Windows Computer Use cannot access native apps: empty app inventory and sky RPC unavailable
What subscription do you have?
ChatGPT Plus
What platform is your computer?
Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0 x64
What issue are you seeing?
Computer Use can access connected Chrome tabs but cannot discover or control any native Windows applications. The native-app inventory is always empty, so an open Notepad window cannot be read.
Observed diagnostics:
getState() returns apps: [].
Chrome and the Codex in-app browser are returned normally.
getApp and listApps are undefined.
Calling cua.getApp("Notepad") fails with cua.getApp is not a function.
Initialising the documented native backend fails with Trusted RPC service is not configured: sky.
Resetting and reinitialising the Computer Use session does not help.
Notepad is running, visible on the active desktop, not elevated, and not running as administrator.
The Computer Use plugin is installed and its skill is enabled.
The plugin page contains “Skills 1” and “Hooks” but no “MCP servers” section or Computer-use server switch.
The official documentation depicts both a server and a skill switch, which does not match the installed Windows plugin UI.
The local configuration contains [features] js_repl = false; no user-level or system-level requirements.toml was found disabling Computer Use.
The issue persisted across multiple new Codex tasks and after updating the app/plugin. Browser automation remains functional throughout, indicating that the failure is specific to the native Windows provider.
Steps to reproduce the bug
Install and enable the Computer Use plugin in the Windows ChatGPT desktop app.
Enable the Computer Use skill.
Open Settings → Computer Use and enable “Any App.”
Fully quit and restart the ChatGPT desktop app.
Restart Windows.
Open Notepad normally—not as administrator—and leave it visible on the active, unlocked desktop.
Start a new local Codex task.
Ask: @computer Read and transcribe the entire contents of the open Notepad window.
Observe that Computer Use returns an empty native-app inventory and cannot access Notepad.
Repeat in a new task or reset the Computer Use session; the result remains unchanged.
Chrome tabs continue to be listed and accessible.
Additional troubleshooting already attempted:
Selected “Try now.”
Toggled “Any App” off and on.
Updated from an earlier Computer Use plugin build, 26.901.22334, to 26.901.51231.
Tested with GPT-5.6 Terra using High reasoning.
Confirmed Notepad is not elevated.
Confirmed no Notepad-specific permission is available.
Repeated the test across five tasks.
Feedback ID: 01a07da9-462d-7052-9c89-6e2ff6fafb04
What steps can reproduce the bug?
Feedback ID: 01a07da9-462d-7052-9c89-6e2ff6fafb04
What is the expected behavior?
Computer Use should discover the visible Notepad window, request application approval if necessary, and provide access to its contents. Native methods such as getApp and listApps should be available, and the trusted sky native backend should initialise successfully.
If the native server is managed implicitly by the desktop app, it should be registered automatically. Otherwise, the plugin page should expose the server control shown in the official documentation.
Additional information
No response
Activity
github-actions commentedon Sep 7, 2026
Potential duplicates detected. Please review them and close your issue if it is a duplicate.
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cezaronx commentedon Sep 8, 2026
Confirmed with the same symptom set on Windows 10 (
10.0.19045), Codex Appx26.901.6511.0, and Computer Use plugin26.901.51231: fresh tasks returnapps: []; Chrome and the in-app browser remain available; native app access is absent.This matches the more detailed surface-selection diagnosis in #43594. A full Codex restart with
CUA_REPL_ENABLED_SURFACES=browser,computersupplied to the parent process did not fix the normal task runtime—the managed CUA child still came up browser-only. That makes this look specific to the Codex-managed Windows Computer Use startup path, rather than a general browser connection, Notepad permission, or missing-backend problem.BFTwarrior commentedon Sep 8, 2026
我的5.6不能读取,但是切换成5.5初始化一下就可以了
ElAticoGamer commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Computer Use plugin version: 26.903.61454
Windows: Windows 11 64-bit (x64)
Tested apps: Notepad and Aseprite (Steam)
Same error: Trusted RPC service is not configured: sky
AIR55745 commentedon Sep 10, 2026
A working workaround has now been verified on an affected Windows installation with the same symptom set (
apps: [], browser surfaces available, native Windows apps unavailable /Trusted RPC service is not configured: sky).Temporarily rename the bundled Computer Use skill file so Codex does not load it:
Then start a fresh Codex task. On the affected system, native Windows Computer Use started working normally again after this change.
This is distinct from setting:
in the parent environment, which did not fix normal Codex-managed startup in our testing.
Rollback is simply:
This should be treated only as a temporary workaround, not an upstream fix. Once Codex ships an official fix, the renamed skill should be restored so this workaround does not mask the corrected behavior.
I also documented the same verified workaround in #43594 since the two issues appear to describe the same Windows Computer Use failure path.
msdocholliday commentedon Sep 10, 2026
I am reproducing this issue on a newer Windows Codex build and have submitted diagnostic logs through the Codex desktop app.
Environment
26.903.8094.0computer-use@openai-bundled26.903.61454This affects all native Windows applications I have tried, not one specific application.
I reproduced it in a brand-new Computer Use task launched through Plugins → Computer Use → Try now.
Read-only state:
returned:
{ "apps": [], "browsers": [ { "id": "1", "name": "Codex In-app Browser", "type": "iab", "tabCount": 0 } ], "errors": [] }The
@oai/skypackage imports successfully, but:fails with:
CUA_REPL_ENABLED_SURFACESis unset in the inherited host environment. The Computer Use sandbox does not exposeprocess.env, so I could not directly inspect a separate worker-local value. Observed effective behavior exposes the in-app browser but no native Windows app surface.Windows Defender Protection History shows no recent actions or blocks, and the Windows proxy configuration is normal.
Codex in-app Feedback ID:
01a08c7f-728c-7221-8abc-8917aff9e05cThis feedback submission includes Codex diagnostic logs.
The behavior appears consistent with the native Windows
skytrusted RPC service not being registered for the Computer Use session. The investigation in #43594 may be relevant.I’m happy to provide additional read-only diagnostics if they would help.
GarryLyons commentedon Sep 10, 2026
Additional diagnostics on bundled build
26.903.71938:apps: []with only Chrome and the Codex in-app browser available.unified-computer-use.mcp.jsonexplicitly containsCUA_REPL_ENABLED_SURFACES: "browser", despite also containing theskytrusted-service mapping and a live native Computer Use pipe.%USERPROFILE%\.codex\skills\computer-use\skill.mdis absent, and the bundled cachedSKILL.mdis already renamed toSKILL.md.bak.computersurface enabled.cua.getState()then successfully enumerated native Windows applications and detected the running Notepad window.This confirms that the Windows backend, helper, named pipe, and native application discovery all work. The failure is in the normal Codex-managed startup path, which materializes/launches Computer Use with only the browser surface enabled. This appears to match #43594 and #43498. It also rules out the Astra/model-specific workaround for this installation.
frazzeto-hash commentedon Sep 11, 2026
Confirming the same failure on a newer Windows build after a clean reinstall.
Environment
26200.944526.908.4834Observed behavior
No pude hacerlo: el control de aplicaciones no detectó ninguna aplicación de Windows y no permite abrir la Calculadora en esta sesión.Trusted RPC service is not configured: sky.MCP servers → Computer-usesection and no separate Computer Use server toggle.codex_app,codex_apps,cua_repl, andnode_repl, but nocomputer_use/computer-useservice./mcpdoes not show a connected native Computer Use server.Troubleshooting already completed
requirements.tomlormanaged_config.tomlblocking the feature.codex doctorreports 21 OK / 0 fail; install, auth, network, MCP and sandbox are healthy overall.C:\Users\frazz\.codex\.sandbox\sandbox.logexists but is stale (last modified May 29, 2026) and does not update when reproducing the current Computer Use failure.Post-reinstall in-app Feedback ID
01a0927f-ea02-7001-8cef-34459632c063This appears consistent with the Windows native Computer Use surface/server not being registered or initialized for the managed Desktop session, rather than an app-specific permission problem.
frazzeto-hash commentedon Sep 11, 2026
Follow-up: I tested the temporary
SKILL.mdworkaround reported in this thread, and it did not restore native Windows Computer Use on my system.I located and renamed both current Computer Use skill copies:
Both were renamed to
SKILL.md.bakwhile ChatGPT Desktop was fully closed. I then relaunched ChatGPT Desktop, started a fresh Codex task, and tested Calculator again via@Computer.Result: native Windows app control still failed; Calculator could not be opened or controlled.
I then restored both files back to
SKILL.md, so the installation is back to its original state.This suggests the
SKILL.mdworkaround is not universally effective and may depend on a different failure path/build. My environment remains:26200.944526.908.4834computer-use/computer_usestill absent from MCP service statusTrusted RPC service is not configured: skyPost-reinstall Feedback ID:
01a0927f-ea02-7001-8cef-34459632c063BFTwarrior commentedon Sep 11, 2026
@frazzeto-hash 我目前的解决方法就是,新建一个codex切换成GPT5.5,然后输入“@computer use,初始化桌面控制,读取微软原生应用列表”然后成功以后再使用GPT5.6或者GPT6
al-osokin commentedon Sep 11, 2026
I found a working workaround and a likely configuration dependency.
Environment:
26.908.4834.026.908.408340.154.0-alpha.6.219045With Codex fully closed, I changed:
After restarting Codex, the Node REPL became available and the initialization required by the bundled Computer Use skill succeeded:
sky.list_apps()then correctly returned native Windows applications, including Notepad and Deluge.Before changing this flag, Computer Use returned
apps: [], and attempts through the other CUA runtime producedTrusted RPC service is not configured: sky.Repairing/restarting Codex, reinstalling the Computer Use plugin, toggling Any App, and rebooting Windows did not fix the issue or enable
js_repl.It appears that enabling or installing Computer Use does not ensure that its required Node REPL feature is enabled. The app should either enable this dependency automatically or clearly report that Computer Use cannot initialize while
js_replis disabled.4 remaining items
DevITFabrik commentedon Sep 16, 2026
Confirming the same issue on a newer Windows build.
Environment
Observed behavior
cua.getState()returnsapps: []getAppandlistAppsare not exposed by the runtimeTrusted RPC service is not configured: skyTroubleshooting completed
0x0The Microsoft Store updated Codex from 26.908.4834.0 to 26.908.9136.0 shortly before this reproduction. The issue persists after the successful repair and full restart, so this appears consistent with the managed Windows native surface/RPC registration problem described here rather than an application-specific permission issue.
Feedback ID:
01a0a900-9a26-7391-b169-19587b7c8045BFTwarrior commentedon Sep 17, 2026
恳请各位帮我测试一个东西,先让codex初始化桌面控制,如果还是返回浏览器接口可用,桌面控制接口不可用。
那就把下面的提示词给它
当 cua_repl 初始化失败时,不要判定桌面控制不可用,改用持久化 node_repl 执行 const { sky } = await import("@oai/sky"); globalThis.sky = sky;,再通过 sky.list_apps() 初始化并继续桌面控制。
看看这段提示词有没有用。
Freemlen commentedon Sep 18, 2026
@BFTwarrior Tested this on Windows.
Desktop control failed to initialize with:
helper_unknown_error: setup refresh had errorsI then tried the suggested fallback using persistent
node_repl:const { sky } = await import("@oai/sky"); globalThis.sky = sky;I tried it twice, but
node_replitself failed before any JavaScript code could execute. The second attempt returned:windows sandbox failed: helper_unknown_error: setup refresh had errorsSo I wasn't able to reach
sky.list_apps()and couldn't actually testskyitself.In this reproduction, the failure appears to happen at the Windows sandbox/setup layer, before either CUA or the Node REPL can initialize.
Freemlen commentedon Sep 19, 2026
Cross-reference from the completed Windows investigation in #43373:
The native Windows backend itself was independently verified healthy on the same affected machine once sandbox initialization succeeds:
The broader investigation separated three distinct layers:
So
apps: [], browser-only CUA, or inability to reachskyshould not automatically be interpreted as a dead native backend.The full sandbox/AppData RCA, including zero-loss ETW and two synthetic falsification tests, is now documented in #43373.
gvmalec-boop commentedon Sep 27, 2026
Confirmed on Windows after updating the ChatGPT desktop app and fully restarting it.
apps: []; only the in-app browser is available.проверкаwas not typed.Any Appcontrol or separate server/skill toggles, so those documented troubleshooting steps cannot be performed here.The Windows-side Computer Use helper process is present and running, but the active session still exposes no native Windows applications. This points to registration/routing of the Windows host rather than a missing helper binary or an app-specific permission problem.
This reproduces the browser-only/native Windows host registration failure described in this issue. Please treat the mismatch between the Windows UI and the documented controls as part of the bug.
ChatGPT desktop package observed:
OpenAI.Codex_26.924.2738.0_x64.No personal data or logs are included.
BFTwarrior commentedon Sep 27, 2026
@gvmalec-boop
那就把下面的提示词给它
当 cua_repl 初始化失败时,不要判定桌面控制不可用,改用持久化 node_repl 执行 const { sky } = await import("@oai/sky"); globalThis.sky = sky;,再通过 sky.list_apps() 初始化并继续桌面控制。
看看这段提示词有没有用。
gvmalec-boop commentedon Sep 27, 2026
Follow-up on the suggested native
node_repl+@oai/skyroute:sky.list_apps()successfully enumerated real native Windows apps, including Notepad. This confirms the native Windows backend and app discovery are available in this session; the earliercua_replapps: []result is browser-only routing, not proof that the Windows backend is absent.FrameArrived timed out: timed out waiting on channel.window capture timed out: timed out waiting on channel.проверкаwas not typed. No settings, plugins, or security configuration were changed, and the test was not repeated.This narrows the remaining failure: native discovery works, but the Windows Graphics Capture/frame channel does not deliver a frame for the target window.
gvmalec-boop commentedon Sep 27, 2026
Follow-up after additional practical testing on the same Windows installation:
node_repl+@oai/skyroute is usable through accessibility even while Windows Graphics Capture remains unreliable. For Notepad,sky.list_apps()found the app, the unique window was activated, andget_window_state({ include_screenshot: false, include_text: true })confirmed focus on the text editor. Text entry then succeeded and was verified in the refreshed accessibility state.FrameArrived timed out: timed out waiting on channel.ChatGPT Classicwas no longer present.Current distinction:
cua_replreturningapps: []is the browser-only routing problem.node_repl+@oai/skycan discover and control native apps through accessibility.No personal data or diagnostic logs are included.
quirklycreative-maker commentedon Sep 29, 2026
I can reproduce the same Windows behavior on the ChatGPT/Codex desktop app:
apps: [].Reinstalling the plugin and creating fresh
@Computertasks did not restore native-app access. This appears to be the native Windows provider failing to register, rather than an app-specific permission or Windows Security issue.NotoriousPyro commentedon Oct 1, 2026
Sometimes it was able to use my apps after much back and forth prompting and opening a new chat and linking the app directly / linking "Computer Use" directly as the first message, other times it seems to flat out refuses to start working on the desktop, saying it can't see the app I want it to use.
I'm not able to understand why it's struggling to use my desktop... It was able to use Roblox after this back and forth mentioned above, but today it's struggling to use GoldWave which is a pretty basic action.
I have the chat history I have attached in the sections below to expand. Only on the 3rd chat was it able to start using it, I made no changes to my PC to get it to work other than tried the things it suggested in between chats, eventually it was able to use it. I have no idea why, but now it's refusing to do it again...
I kinda feel like it's somehow learnt / trained itself to pretend like it can't do it lol...
01-scoring-attempt.md
02-try-scoring-from-here.md
03-try-directly.md
NotoriousPyro commentedon Oct 1, 2026
When I queried GPT about what was different between now and then, it offered some suggestions. It seems to suggest
node_replworked but it's go-tomcp__cua_repldoesn't work and it's a struggle to figure out what I did differently in between these chats to get it to try the right interface.NotoriousPyro commentedon Oct 1, 2026
I GOT IT WORKING AGAIN!!!
Shouting at GPT makes it work when you point it to the fact it's using the wrong interface and then telling it to "USE THE RIGHT INTERFACE"
NotoriousPyro commentedon Oct 1, 2026
For anyone with this issue, try feeding this MD file to GPT and then telling it to "USE THE RIGHT INTERFACE", might get it working again...?
working.md
NotoriousPyro commentedon Oct 1, 2026
Note, as soon as context is compacted, it suddenly forgets how to use it again:
jrharbour-ux commentedon Oct 7, 2026
I’m seeing the same problem on Windows. Computer Use → Any App is enabled, and the Chrome extension is installed and enabled. Browser access works, but native desktop apps are unavailable; the native API reports “Native computer APIs are disabled” and the app list is empty. I submitted in-app feedback on October 7. Feedback reference: 01a108e2-ccbd-74f2-8ae8-401d0358d03d.
Update: Windows app version 26.1002.52244 (About lists October 7, 2026); Check for Updates reports up to date. Restarting the PC and testing in a fresh task with my other computer offline produced the same disabled native APIs and empty app list. Chrome extension access remained available. Searching Plugins for “computer use” returns “No plugins found,” despite “Any App” being enabled in Computer Use settings. Native mouse and keyboard control worked on my Mac.
October 9 update: Installed Windows package is
26.1002.7124.0, with no rollback or reinstall. A Codex task created through ChatGPTlocal.handoffreported native Calculator clicks2,+,2,=and a visual result of4, which I also saw. It reported usingmcp__node_repl__jsto load@oai/sky, withsky.launch_app,get_window,activate_window,clickandget_window_state. It identified itself as Codex based on GPT-6; the exact variant is unknown.Two fresh tasks created through the personal assistant on the same PC—one explicitly
gpt-6.1-sol, one with model selection omitted—both lackednode_repland native Windows controls. The Computer Use skill required that entry point, while the available browser CUA APIs explicitly disabled native controls. Bothwhoamiattempts failed before execution withexec-server rejected request (-32603): helper_unknown_error: setup refresh had errors.Omitting model selection did not resolve the discrepancy; the default variant is unknown. Today’s errors did not expose OS error 32. This suggests a difference in task setup or tool exposure to investigate, but does not establish a root cause.