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Mac · VideoDraft modeComputer Use
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Computer Use

Let a Codex chat use Mac apps and your browser tabs while you watch.

On this page
What it isTurn it onUse your own browserTry a first taskControls while it worksWhat it will not do

What it is#

Computer Use lets a Codex chat open and use apps on your Mac, including tabs in your own browser. It clicks, types and reads the screen, and you watch it in a live view in the chat.

  • Codex chats only.
  • Off until you turn it on.
  • Needs macOS 15 or later and an unlocked Mac.

Turn it on#

  1. 1Open Settings > Computer use and turn on Enable Computer use.
  2. 2Under Mac permissions, choose Grant access for Screen Recording, Accessibility and Background input. macOS lists the helper as VideoDraft Computer Use.
  3. 3Choose Check permissions to confirm all three.
  4. 4Pick App access. Auto lets Codex use apps without asking. Ask checks with you first.
  • Keep apps in the background is on by default, so Codex can work without bringing apps to the front.
  • With App access set to Ask, Always allowed apps lists the apps you approved for good.

Use your own browser#

The VideoDraft Browser Companion extension lets Codex work in your browser tabs in the background. It works in Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera and Vivaldi.

  1. 1In Settings > Computer use, under External browsers, choose your Browser, then Set up next to Background browser access. Finder opens the extension folder.
  2. 2In the browser, open the Extensions page, turn on Developer mode, choose Load unpacked and select that folder.
  3. 3In the companion, choose Allow this profile to connect, then Copy token.
  4. 4Paste the token into Connection token in ADE and choose Save. ADE keeps it in your Keychain.
  5. 5Send a new message in the chat so it picks up the browser tools.

Try a first task#

First browser task

Use my connected browser to open videodraft.ai/docs. Find the Install ADE page and list what I need before installing. Do not sign in, submit forms or change settings.
  1. 1Watch the live view and check Codex uses the browser you expect.
  2. 2If the tools are missing, ask the agent to check Computer Use setup. It reports what is missing.

Controls while it works#

ControlWhat it does
Stop taskStops the work right away.
Hide app viewHides the live view without stopping the work. Show app view brings it back.
Move to floating windowMoves the live view into its own window.
Show in chatPuts the live view back in the chat.
Hide for this taskKeeps the live view hidden for the rest of the task.

With App access set to Ask, Codex asks before using an app. Choose Allow for this task, Always allow or Decline.

What it will not do#

  • It cannot control ADE, the Codex app, terminal apps such as Terminal, iTerm2, Ghostty and Warp, or System Settings.
  • It does not work while the Mac is locked, and says so in the chat.
  • It is not available through remote control.
  • Plan mode and Enterprise data privacy turn it off.
  • Scheduled runs can use it only with Allow Computer Use with Codex Auto turned on, and cannot approve new apps.

Not the same as browser preview

The in-app browser preview shows local pages inside ADE. Computer Use operates other apps and your own browser. They have separate settings and permissions.