Codex-cli v0.163.0 introduces significant usability and performance enhancements, most notably a new searchable `/config` preferences panel in the TUI. This allows developers to quickly find and modify settings, with immediate application for many changes and clear indications for those requiring a restart, streamlining configuration workflows. Another major improvement is the ability to send follow-up prompts while Codex is responding, enabling instant steering of agent behavior and automatically stopping active Code Mode cells and nested tool calls upon interruption, providing more dynamic control over AI interactions.
Users can now configure a leader key in `/keymap`, defaulting to `Ctrl+X`, with persistent shortcut hints and voice mute moved to `F9`. Managed background servers can be restarted from `/daemon`, with warnings for potential work interruptions and automatic reconnection. Performance is boosted by parallel execution for read-only tools like skill, memory, and conversation history lookups. Daybreak is now enabled by default for eligible accounts, and `codex exec` can select it with an OpenAI API key.
Key bug fixes include restoring permissions and network approvals when resuming saved threads, improved network proxy security with pre-DNS permission checks and duplicate `Host` header rejection, and better handling of side conversations across thread navigation. Windows users benefit from `Ctrl+V` and `Shift+Insert` for pasting text and images, while WSL clipboard operations are more robust. Local commands now finish promptly even with open output pipes, and `codex exec` avoids redundant file diffs.
A breaking change involves the removal of the bundled patched `zsh` shell; users must now use the standard shell executor, with migration notices provided for affected configurations. Overall, this release offers substantial quality-of-life improvements, enhanced control, and critical bug fixes, making an upgrade highly recommended for all users to leverage the new features and stability improvements.