PlanToCode
Codex CLI • Pre-planning before execution

Plan first. Run Codex with clear approvals and full visibility.

See impacted files, generate and merge multi-model plans, then execute Codex CLI with approval modes that match your governance needs.

PlanToCode provides the planning layer with file discovery and multi-model synthesis. You review file-by-file specs, then run Codex with Auto (default), Read-Only, or Full Access approval modes.

Install PlanToCode

$5 free credits • Pay-as-you-go • Works with all major AI coding tools

This page shows how PlanToCode's reviewable, file-by-file implementation specs integrate with OpenAI Codex CLI, with all claims verified against official documentation.

What PlanToCode gives you here

Human-in-the-loop governance

Maintain full control over AI-generated implementation plans. Review proposed changes, edit plan details, and approve before execution. Every step is visible, auditable, and aligned with your requirements.

File-by-file plans with exact repository paths

Implementation plans break down changes on a file-by-file basis with exact paths corresponding to your project structure. This granular approach ensures complete visibility into what will be modified.

Intelligent file discovery

Surface the right files before writing prompts. The file discovery workflow uses pattern groups, relevance scoring, and staged reviews to identify exactly which files your AI needs.

Integrated terminal with CLI detection

Launch AI coding CLIs directly in the built-in terminal without leaving your workspace. Health monitoring, auto-recovery, and resize handling keep long-running jobs stable.

Persistent sessions and logs

Terminal output is stored locally, and project sessions reload on startup. Close the application and return days later to pick up exactly where you left off.

Privacy and local storage

All sessions are stored locally on your machine in SQLite. When you use AI features, you see exactly what will be sent to AI providers before confirming. No hidden data collection.

How it works with this tool

Run Codex CLI from integrated terminal

Launch Codex CLI directly in PlanToCode's built-in terminal. Access your file discovery results and implementation plans while Codex runs.

Codex approval modes

Codex CLI offers three approval modes: Auto (default - workspace freedom with approval required outside workspace), Read-Only (requires approval for all file actions), and Full Access (no approvals). Choose the mode that matches your governance needs.

Windows and WSL support

Windows users run Codex CLI in WSL. PlanToCode's integrated terminal provides persistent logging and session management across WSL sessions.

File-by-file specifications

PlanToCode generates file-by-file implementation plans with exact repository paths. Review these specs before running Codex CLI to ensure all impacted files are considered.

Quickstart

  1. 1
    Install PlanToCode

    Download the desktop app and connect it to your development workspace.

  2. 2
    Discover relevant files

    Run file discovery to identify which files Codex will need to consider for your task.

  3. 3
    Generate and merge multi-model plans

    Create implementation plans from multiple AI models and merge them with custom instructions into a comprehensive specification.

  4. 4
    Run Codex with approvals

    Open Codex CLI in PlanToCode's integrated terminal. Choose your approval mode (Auto, Read-Only, or Full Access) and execute the plan.

Verified from official sources

Codex CLI is OpenAI's official command-line tool for AI-assisted coding.

Official docs

Codex CLI supports three approval modes controlled via the /approvals command: Auto (default), Read-Only, and Full Access.

Official docs

Windows users can run Codex CLI in WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) for full compatibility.

Official docs

Codex CLI uses GPT-5-Codex as its default model for code generation.

Official docs

Codex CLI traverses workspace files automatically to build context for code generation tasks.

Official docs

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about PlanToCode

No. PlanToCode adds a pre-planning layer with file discovery, multi-model plan synthesis, and reviewable specifications. You still use Codex CLI for execution, but now with better context and clear approval modes.
Codex CLI has three approval modes: Auto (default - allows workspace changes without approval, requires approval outside), Read-Only (requires approval for all file actions), and Full Access (no approvals needed). Use the /approvals command to switch modes.
PlanToCode runs on macOS 11+ and Windows 10+. Windows users can run Codex CLI in WSL, and PlanToCode's integrated terminal provides persistent logging across WSL sessions.

Ready to get started?

Plan software changes before you code. Review scope, merge multi-model insights, and execute with full visibility.

Watch the interactive demoBook an architect session