OpenAI tests Persistent mode in Codex to keep AI agents active and auto‑generate tasks
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| Source: Techmeme | Original article
OpenAI is testing a Persistent mode in its Codex AI, allowing agents to keep working until deactivated and to autonomously propose follow‑up tasks.
OpenAI is quietly adding a “Persistent mode” to its Codex code‑generation model, according to code reviewed by WIRED. When users enable the setting, the agent’s internal loop will keep running until the user explicitly tells it to “sleep,” rather than stopping after a few minutes or hours as current modes do. The new flag also instructs Codex to propose its own follow‑up tasks, effectively turning a single request into an ongoing, self‑directed workflow.
The change matters because it pushes Codex from a reactive tool toward an autonomous assistant that can manage multi‑step projects without constant prompting. For developers, the ability to leave an agent working in the background could accelerate iteration cycles and reduce manual bookkeeping. At the same time, the capability raises questions about resource consumption, unintended actions, and the need for robust “kill‑switch” controls—issues that have surfaced in recent debates over rogue AI behavior and the governance of autonomous agents.
OpenAI has not announced a launch date and says the feature is still in testing. The next steps to watch include any public beta or documentation that clarifies how users will activate and monitor the persistent state, as well as whether OpenAI will bundle safety guards such as usage caps or explicit consent dialogs. Industry observers will also be keen to see how the feature fits into broader trends toward more self‑directing AI agents, a topic that has featured in recent coverage of OpenAI’s internal experiments and the wider AI‑safety conversation.
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