ChatToCodex

Reference project: ChatToCodex was developed with Chat On Steroids as a reference. This project is independent; the reference does not imply affiliation or endorsement.

Use ChatGPT or Codex conversations to work with coding projects on your own computer through an OpenAI Secure MCP Tunnel.

ChatToCodex runs a small local MCP Host on your Mac or Windows PC. After one-time setup, supported ChatGPT/Codex conversations can list/read/write files and run commands inside the local roots you allow.

ChatToCodex is an independent open-source project. It is not made, sponsored, or endorsed by OpenAI.

What you get

• Local MCP tools: access_status, list_directory, read_file, write_file, run_command.
• No Electron app required.
• No per-chat workspace-selection step: each tool call can address an explicit permitted path.
• macOS background Host through LaunchAgent.
• Windows background Host through Task Scheduler.
• API keys stored with macOS Keychain or Windows DPAPI instead of committed to the repository.
• pause / resume controls when the local bridge is available.

Before you install

Read Requirements.

At a minimum you need:

1. Node.js 20+ and npm.
2. OpenAI tunnel-client.
3. An OpenAI Secure MCP Tunnel ID.
4. A Restricted runtime API key with the Tunnel permissions required to run the client.
5. ChatGPT Developer mode / developer-mode MCP App access for the account or workspace you want to use.

OpenAI's Secure MCP Tunnel is an outbound connection for private MCP servers: the local server does not need a public inbound port. The Tunnel runtime must remain healthy while ChatGPT/Codex discovers or calls the MCP tools.

Installation

macOS

git clone https://github.com/JackyCufe/ChatToCodex.git
cd ChatToCodex
npm install
npm link
chat-to-codex install

Then follow the complete macOS installation guide and the Tunnel, API key, and MCP App walkthrough.

Windows

Download/clone the repository and extract it completely. From the ChatToCodex folder run:

install-windows.cmd

Then:

chat-to-codex install

See the complete Windows installation guide.

Where do I get the Tunnel ID and API key?

Use OpenAI Platform's Secure MCP Tunnel settings:

1. Create a Tunnel for the computer you are connecting.
2. Copy its tunnel_id (tunnel_...).
3. Create a Restricted runtime API key for the local tunnel-client.
4. Make sure the relevant account/role has the required Tunnel permissions.
5. Run chat-to-codex install and enter those two values locally.

Do not commit the API key. Do not paste the runtime API key into the ChatGPT MCP App authentication field.

See Requirements for the permission breakdown.

Connect ChatGPT / Codex

First make sure the local Host is running:

chat-to-codex doctor
chat-to-codex status

Then in ChatGPT Developer mode:

1. Open Plugins and create a developer-mode MCP App.
2. Choose Tunnel.
3. Select your Tunnel or paste your tunnel_id.
4. Recommended app name: ChatToCodex Core.
5. Use No Auth for the ChatToCodex MCP App.
6. Create the connection and review the discovered tools.

After the connection exists, add/select it in a supported ChatGPT/Codex conversation and try a harmless read or git status first.

Normal commands

chat-to-codex status
chat-to-codex doctor
chat-to-codex pause
chat-to-codex resume
chat-to-codex uninstall

uninstall removes the background Host but keeps the local configuration/credential data unless you remove those separately.

Security model

By default, ChatToCodex permits paths under the current user's home directory. Every filesystem/command request is checked against configured allowedRoots.

The Local Host being online does not mean ChatGPT is continuously operating your computer. Tools execute when a supported conversation invokes them. Use chat-to-codex pause whenever you want the bridge offline.

Treat write_file and run_command as powerful local capabilities. Review the requested action before allowing destructive work.

Documentation

• Requirements
• Install on macOS
• Configure Tunnel, API Key, and ChatGPT MCP App
• Install on Windows
• Troubleshooting

Development

npm run check
npm test
npm run test:package

The package test verifies that the CLI and Windows installers are included while the real .env is excluded.

Plugin package

This repository also contains the ChatToCodex skill/plugin source under plugin/chat-to-codex/ for development/testing. The GitHub repository being public does not automatically publish that plugin to OpenAI's public Plugin Directory.

Secure MCP Tunnel is intended for private MCP connectivity. Users create/connect their own developer-mode MCP App to their own Tunnel.

License

ChatToCodex is released under the MIT License. See Third-party notices.