How to Use ChatGPT Codex : Codex Tutorial for Beginners, by TheAIGRID on YouTube. 16 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Open Codex inside your ChatGPT account and start a new task. Pick a low reasoning level for simple jobs like formatting a spreadsheet, and a higher one for long multi-step work.
Type what you want in plain English, such as make an Excel sheet tracking weekly expenses with a total row. Name the file type you want, like xlsx or docx.
Approve the folder or files Codex asks for. Beginners should allow one project folder at a time rather than broad access to a whole drive.
Ask for changes in the chat, for example add a column for dates or fix the formula in row 4. Codex edits the file and saves a new version.
Point Codex at a folder of notes and ask for a Word summary. Say how long it should be and which headings to use.
Request images or a carousel in the same chat. Describe the number of slides, the text on each one and the style you want.
Connect your Gmail account when Codex asks, then ask it to read this week's unread emails and list the action items.
Create an automation by describing the task, the schedule and the output, such as a project summary emailed every Friday at 5pm.
Save a prompt you repeat as a skill so you can reuse it later, such as turning one document into five short posts.
Tips and common mistakes
Start with a small, low-stakes folder so you can see how Codex names and saves files before trusting it with important work.
Check every generated formula and figure yourself, because Codex can produce confident but wrong results.
Keep the reasoning level low for simple edits to save credits and raise it only for long, multi-step jobs.
Read any drafted email reply before sending it, since tone and details can drift from what you meant.
Questions
Is Codex the same as ChatGPT?
No. ChatGPT answers questions in a chat window, while Codex takes actions on the files and folders you give it access to, such as creating or editing a spreadsheet.
Do I need a paid plan to use Codex?
Codex runs on usage limits and credits linked to your ChatGPT account, so heavy tasks use more. Check your current plan limits before running long automations.
Can Codex send emails for me?
It can draft replies and summaries once Gmail is connected, but it works best when you review each draft before sending.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
