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How to Run Two Codex Accounts on macOS with Separate Profiles

Run two Codex accounts on one Mac with isolated profiles, one clean Dock icon, background multitasking, and fast account switching.

Update, August 1, 2026: The original version used two pinned wrapper apps. That looked tidy until macOS created extra running-app tiles and Spotlight found old launcher copies. The improved setup keeps one official Dock icon and uses a menu-bar controller to open or focus either isolated account.

The result is practical multitasking without modifying the signed Codex app:

  • Option-Command-1 opens or focuses Primary;
  • Option-Command-2 opens or focuses Secondary;
  • switching focus does not quit the other process;
  • Open Both starts both profiles;
  • Quit Primary and Quit Secondary stop them explicitly;
  • Applications and Spotlight contain only the current controller and launchers.

How the two profiles are isolated

Profile state Primary Secondary
Codex configuration and authentication ~/.codex ~/.codex-work
Desktop application data normal app data ~/Library/Application Support/Codex Second

CODEX_HOME isolates Codex configuration and authentication. The separate --user-data-dir is also required because the desktop app uses Electron and otherwise hands a second launch back to the first process.

Test the secondary account

Run this in Terminal before installing the switcher:

codex_app="/Applications/ChatGPT.app"
[[ -d "$codex_app" ]] || codex_app="$HOME/Applications/ChatGPT.app"

mkdir -p "$HOME/.codex-work"
mkdir -p "$HOME/Library/Application Support/Codex Second"

open -n "$codex_app" \
  --env "CODEX_HOME=$HOME/.codex-work" \
  --args "--user-data-dir=$HOME/Library/Application Support/Codex Second"

A second Codex window should open. Sign into the other ChatGPT account once; later launches reuse that profile’s isolated authentication and desktop state.

Install the account switcher

Download and run the installer:

curl -fsSL \
  https://edihasaj.com/assets/scripts/install-codex-second.zsh \
  -o "$HOME/Downloads/install-codex-second.zsh"

zsh "$HOME/Downloads/install-codex-second.zsh"

If swiftc is unavailable, install Apple’s Command Line Tools first:

xcode-select --install

The installer:

  • leaves /Applications/ChatGPT.app unchanged and preserves its signature;
  • installs ~/Applications/Codex Account Switcher.app as a login item;
  • installs background launchers named Codex Primary, Codex Secondary, and Codex Open Both in ~/Applications;
  • keeps exactly one official ChatGPT/Codex Dock pin;
  • removes stale launcher pins that cause duplicate running-app tiles;
  • moves replaced launchers to the Trash so they remain recoverable.

The three Applications launchers signal the menu controller and immediately exit. Because they are background agents, they do not create their own Dock tiles. They are useful from Finder, Launchpad, Raycast, or Spotlight.

Multitask without stopping background work

After installation, choose Open Both or open the two profile launchers. Both desktop processes remain alive. Option-Command-1 and Option-Command-2 only change focus; they do not terminate either account.

That means a local task can continue in the background while you work in the other account. Keep the Mac awake and leave both processes open. A Codex crash, manual quit, restart, or system sleep can still interrupt local work.

When you want to reduce memory use or avoid running two instances, use Quit Primary or Quit Secondary from the menu-bar controller.

Keep the Dock clean

Pin only the installed OpenAI app. Do not pin Codex Primary, Codex Secondary, or Codex Open Both.

Both Codex processes share the same signed bundle identity. Depending on the macOS version and current Dock state, macOS may group them under the official tile or temporarily show another running tile. Pinning wrapper apps cannot reliably force two permanent identities and is what causes the confusing duplicate-icon behavior.

Verify both accounts

Choose Open Both, then run:

pgrep -alf "ChatGPT.app/Contents/MacOS/ChatGPT"

You should see two main processes. The secondary process includes:

--user-data-dir=/Users/you/Library/Application Support/Codex Second

Each window should remember its own account after quitting and reopening. Do not place either profile directory in a repository or public sync folder. This setup isolates local profiles; it does not merge chats, projects, billing, or usage limits.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run two Codex accounts at the same time on one Mac?

Yes. The signed app runs twice, while the second process uses an isolated CODEX_HOME and Electron user-data directory.

Why is CODEX_HOME alone not enough?

It separates Codex configuration and authentication, but not all Electron desktop state. The separate user-data directory allows the second desktop process to start independently.

Can both accounts keep working while I switch windows?

Yes. The switcher opens or focuses the requested profile and leaves the other one running. Use the explicit Quit menu items when you want to stop one.

Why not pin two custom Codex launchers?

The launchers and real running app have different identities, while both real Codex processes share OpenAI’s bundle identity. macOS therefore cannot map two custom permanent pins cleanly to the two processes.

Does this modify the installed Codex app?

No. The official bundle is neither edited nor re-signed. The installer only builds and signs the small local controller and its background launchers.

Is this guaranteed to be crash-free?

No. Separate profile directories prevent state collisions, but simultaneous desktop instances remain a local workaround. Use one process when maximum stability matters.

More: OpenAI Codex guides.

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