Connect Codex directly to DeepSeek, unlock all features! Read this tutorial carefully and start your Codex journey with me~

Codex is a powerful AI tool that can write articles, create PPTs, build websites, and handle daily tasks. It’s updated almost every day. For example, the recently popular “Record & Replay” feature made it to the top three on Weibo’s trending list yesterday.

However, some friends in China still can’t use Codex. One reason is the inability to register a ChatGPT account, and another is the subscription plan issue.

In this issue, we’ll guide you through starting your Codex journey quickly~

We’ll first walk you through the entire process with the shortest path, then explain the tool’s principles, purpose, and key points later.

I’ll use a Mac as an example, but the process on Windows is similar.

1. Download Codex

One thing to note: find the official Codex download website, then download and install Codex. The process is simple and just like any other software, so I won’t demonstrate it here.

After installation, you’ll see this page.

Here, choose “Sign in with other methods,” enter any API Key to enter the Codex main page, and leave it there for now.

2. Download Codex++

Search for “Codex plus” on GitHub, and select the one with the highest star rating.

Go to Releases and find the latest installation package that matches your computer system.

For Mac, there are two installation packages: arm64.dmg and x64.dmg. If your chip is Apple M series, download arm64; if Intel, download x64.

Check your computer’s chip type by clicking “About This Mac.”

• macos-arm64.dmg: For Macs with Apple Silicon chips, such as M1 / M2 / M3 / M4.

• macos-x64.dmg: For Macs with Intel chips, also known as x86_64.

After downloading, double-click the Codex++ installation package. Drag both Codex++ and the Codex++ Manager into Applications.

3. Open and configure Codex++

Opening Codex++ Manager by double-clicking will show an error.

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, and click “Open Anyway.”

Once opened, you’ll see this page.

Click “Vendor Config” in the left sidebar, then click “Add Vendor.”

Click “Create from preset template.”

Find the official Chinese DeepSeek.

Enter your DeepSeek API Key here.

How to create a DeepSeek API Key? Continue to step 4.

4. Create a DeepSeek API Key

Search for “DeepSeek” in your browser and go to the API Open Platform. You need to top up your balance first.

Click “API Keys.”

Create an API Key, enter a name, and click “Create.”

After creation, a key starting with “sk” will appear. This is your personal private API Key – keep it confidential.

Copy this API Key into Codex++, click “Save,” and you’re done.

Click “Use.”

It will prompt that the vendor has been switched to “In Use.”

5. Restart Codex and Codex++

The final step: completely quit Codex and Codex++. Make sure to “Close” them fully, or restart your computer.

Now you have three apps on your desktop: Codex, Codex++, and Codex++ Manager. Once configured, you only need to open “Codex++” to launch Codex in the future.

Double-clicking Codex++ for the first time might also show an error. Solve it the same way: go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway.”

After opening, check the model selection – two DeepSeek models have been successfully added. Plugins and automation in the left toolbar are also available.

Finally, test the functionality.

That’s it!

Congratulations, you’ve successfully started your Codex journey~

–––––––Principles and notes beyond the main process—————––

Overall summary

First, prepare the following two things:

(1) Download and install Codex, Codex++, and Codex++ Manager.

(2) Create a DeepSeek API Key.

Then, configure the DeepSeek vendor in Codex++ Manager.

Finally, completely close Codex and Codex++ Manager, open Codex++, and you can use the DeepSeek model.

1. Why do we need Codex++ and Codex++ Manager?

Official concept: Codex++ is an external enhanced launcher and management tool for the Codex App. It does not modify the original Codex App installation files but launches Codex via an external launcher and injects enhanced scripts using Chromium DevTools Protocol.

Personal opinion:

Codex++ Manager automatically modifies Codex’s configuration files to switch models. While you could manually edit the configuration files, it’s error-prone for beginners. Also, you would need to manually edit the config every time you switch models.

Codex++ Manager solves these problems. It is a visual tool that places the configuration options we would otherwise manually edit onto a front-end page. We simply click and enter the relevant content (DeepSeek API Key) to switch models with one click. It allows quick model switching.

Codex++ does not replace Codex. The underlying execution still runs on Codex. Codex++ handles launching, injection, configuration, and management, making Codex more convenient to use.

2. DeepSeek requires a balance top-up.

Calling the model consumes tokens. Tokens are like the data you use for internet access. Without a balance, you can’t purchase tokens, and the model won’t answer your questions.

3. After all configurations are done, you only need to double-click Codex++ to log into Codex in the future.

4. No need to log into a ChatGPT account or use an overseas phone number during the entire process.

5. Why keep the API Key confidential?

The API Key is like the password to your DeepSeek model. Anyone who gets it can use your model and consume your balance.

Overall, I highly recommend using Codex: first, to stay up-to-date and maintain competitiveness; second, to improve efficiency in both life and work.