Last week, OpenAI rolled out an updated version of its desktop application, Codex, that introduces a new capability called Chronicle. The feature is designed to enhance the app’s understanding of user context by incorporating recent screen activity into its memory system.
How Chronicle Works
Chronicle builds on Codex’s existing “memories” function, which lets the AI retain conversation history for better contextual awareness. In addition, it captures screenshots in the background and uses those images to create additional memories. These screen‑based memories are stored locally on the user’s device; users can view or edit them at any time.
The system is intended to help Codex recognize references such as “this” or “that,” whether they refer to an error message, a document open in another app, or something the user was working on weeks earlier. Over time, it learns a user’s workflow, preferred tools, and recurring projects.
Privacy & Rate‑Limit Considerations
Users can pause or disable Chronicle from the Codex menu bar at any moment. OpenAI cautions that the feature currently consumes rate limits more quickly than other functions due to its background processing of screen captures.
Enabling Chronicle for Pro Subscribers
- Open the Codex app and select Settings.
- Navigate to Personalization and ensure that Memories is turned on.
- Toggle the Chronicle switch below the Memories setting.
- Accept the consent dialog that appears.
- Grant macOS Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions when prompted.
- Once setup finishes, click Try it out or start a new conversation thread.
Availability
The Chronicle feature is currently available as a research preview for Codex Pro subscribers on macOS. Further details can be found in OpenAI’s official documentation.
