ℹ️ Quick Answer: OpenAI released GPT-5.3-Codex on February 5, 2026. It’s their most capable coding model, combining GPT-5.2-Codex’s coding abilities with GPT-5.2’s reasoning skills. It runs 25% faster, uses fewer tokens, and can build complex apps from scratch. Available now through OpenAI’s API.
GPT 5.3 Codex dropped today alongside Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 release. While Anthropic focused on context windows and PowerPoint, OpenAI went all in on coding.
Here’s what the release actually means.
What GPT 5.3 Codex Actually Does
OpenAI calls it their “most capable agentic coding model to date.” That’s marketing speak, but the specs back it up.
GPT 5.3 Codex combines two things that were separate before. The raw coding ability of GPT-5.2-Codex and the reasoning and general knowledge of GPT-5.2. One model that’s good at both thinking and building.
It’s also 25% faster than its predecessor and uses fewer tokens to get the same job done. For anyone paying per token on the API, that’s real money saved.
GPT 5.3 Codex Builds Apps From Scratch
What stood out to me is OpenAI’s claim that GPT 5.3 Codex can build “highly functional complex games and apps from scratch.” We’ve seen AI coding tools make similar promises before, but the benchmark results suggest this one has teeth.
The model set new industry highs on SWE-Bench Pro, a rigorous test of real world software engineering that spans four programming languages. It also topped Terminal-Bench, which measures how well AI handles coding tasks from start to finish. These aren’t toy benchmarks. SWE-Bench Pro specifically tests whether a model can fix actual bugs in real codebases.
You Can Steer GPT 5.3 While It Works
This is the feature that changes the workflow. GPT 5.3 Codex handles tasks that take a while. Research, tool use, complex execution. And you can redirect it while it’s working without breaking its concentration.
Previous models would lose context if you interrupted them. This one is designed to be more like an actual colleague. Check in, give feedback, redirect. It keeps going.
What This Means for You
If you’re a developer, GPT 5.3 Codex is available now through OpenAI’s platform. The speed and token efficiency improvements make it worth testing, especially for longer coding sessions.
If you’re not a developer but you’re interested in building things with AI, this release makes those tools even more capable. We wrote about that growing trend in our guide to building apps without coding.
The AI coding race between OpenAI and Anthropic is heating up. Both companies dropped major updates on the same day. Competition like this is good for users. Better models, lower prices, faster improvements.
For more on how AI tools are evolving, check out our Start Here page.
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