OpenAI launches first hardware product: ‘Codex Micro’ AI keypad goes on sale for $230

OpenAI has officially unveiled its first hardware product. Before the highly anticipated device designed by Jony Ive arrives, the company has introduced Codex Micro, a specialized macropad (physical keypad) built to control the AI agents of OpenAI’s coding assistant, Codex, directly from the desktop.

Developed in partnership with custom keyboard maker Work Louder, the device is designed to streamline AI-assisted software development. After being teased since June, Codex Micro became available for pre-order on July 15 at a price of $230.

Users familiar with Work Louder’s earlier Creator Micro 2 or the Framer Micro keypad will recognize the device’s compact square design and premium finish.

Compact design with AI-focused controls

The Codex Micro features:

• 13 mechanical switches
• A touch sensor
• A rotary dial
• A miniature joystick

The six frosted keys on the top row are equipped with RGB LED lighting, allowing users to monitor an AI agent’s status—such as idle, processing, completed, or error—without looking at the screen.

Meanwhile, the lower-row keys can be customized for frequently used actions, including:

• Accepting or rejecting generated code
• Creating new threads
• Activating voice input or push-to-talk
• Other programmable shortcuts

Physical controls for AI reasoning and workflows

The rotary dial allows developers to adjust the reasoning level used by Codex AI agents, while the joystick enables quick switching between different Codex workspaces or workflows.

The keypad is fully customizable, and each package includes 32 additional custom keycaps for personalized layouts.

Designed for AI-powered coding

OpenAI recently transformed the Codex application into a unified "super app," combining the capabilities of:

• ChatGPT
• Codex
• The new productivity-focused ChatGPT Work agent

Although every function remains accessible through a standard mouse and keyboard, Codex Micro is intended to make navigation significantly faster and more intuitive for developers who spend long hours writing code.

Arrives amid broader hardware ambitions

Unlike some of OpenAI's larger hardware initiatives, Codex Micro has launched without major complications.

However, the company's upcoming smart speaker project has already become the subject of a legal dispute with Apple. Apple recently filed a lawsuit in a California federal court against OpenAI and two of its current employees, Tang Yu Tan and Chang Liu—both former Apple designers—alleging the theft of trade secrets.

Limited availability

Codex Micro is currently available for pre-order through the online stores of OpenAI and Work Louder for $230.

According to Work Louder, the device is being produced in very limited quantities, meaning pre-orders will remain available only while supplies last.