# Claude Code vs Codex

The most similar pair here: two terminal agents with nearly the same workflow. What separates them is Codex's remote mode and which ecosystem you are already paying for.

## The two options

### Claude Code (terminal)

An agent in your shell that can run your tests and read the failure.

Pick it if:
- You want the agent where git, tests and deploys already live
- You would rather read a diff than watch a file change under your cursor
- You want the loop closed: it edits, it runs the suite, it sees what broke

What will annoy you: A text interface with no file tree. If the terminal is new to you, that is a second thing to learn at the same time as the agent.

### Codex (terminal and remote)

The same terminal loop, plus a mode where you hand over a task and get back a pull request.

Pick it if:
- Your work splits into well-specified chunks you can describe up front
- You already review other people's code and are comfortable judging a diff cold
- You want work happening while you are doing something else

What will annoy you: Two modes means two mental models. In the remote one there is no conversation to rescue a vague request — you find out at the end.

## What is the same

- Both run in a terminal, pointed at a project folder
- Both read files, apply changes and run commands
- Both take conventions from a project-instructions file
- Learn one and you can use the other — the workflow transfers almost completely

## Do you want work happening while you are not watching?

That is the one real difference in shape. Codex will take a described task away and return a pull request; Claude Code stays in the conversation. Everything else — style, ecosystem, which editor plugin exists — is preference, and preference is settled by an afternoon of use, not by reading.

## Go deeper

- [Claude Code vs Codex, in the course](https://zero2vibecode.com/learn/ai-coding-tools/1-1-claude-code-vs-codex)
- [How to choose an AI coding tool](https://zero2vibecode.com/learn/ai-coding-tools/0-1-how-to-choose-an-ai-coding-tool)

Source: https://zero2vibecode.com/compare/claude-code-vs-codex