Everyday AI Podcast – Ep 711: Coding with OpenAI’s New Codex App: How to Build a Simple App without Coding Experience

Host: Jordan Wilson
Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jordan Wilson takes listeners on a hands-on, beginner-friendly walkthrough of building a fully functional desktop app using OpenAI’s brand-new Codex app and its powerful GPT 5.3 Codex model—even if you have zero coding experience. The show is an unedited, unscripted live-stream designed to demystify AI for business leaders and everyday professionals, focusing on how user-friendly AI tools are making sophisticated software creation accessible for everyone. Jordan demonstrates, live, how to prompt Codex, handle common bumps, and iterate to get a custom Mac app running from scratch.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Significance of OpenAI’s New Codex App

• Mass Accessibility:
  OpenAI’s Codex app—now locally available for Mac with a Windows version coming soon—means "hundreds of millions of people can now create fully fledged working software for free without really knowing how to do any of it." (00:17)
• Free Tier Announcement:
  Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, confirmed that Codex will remain free for the foreseeable future, a move Jordan calls “pretty bonkers”. (01:18)
• Next-Level Usability:
  Codex can create not just basic templates, but bespoke, robust software tailored to your workflow or business needs using only natural language instructions.

2. Setting the Stage: Today’s Objective

• Live Demo Format:
  Jordan sets out to build and iterate on a desktop productivity app, walking through each step live: from prompting Codex, to managing project files, to troubleshooting and adding new features.
  “What could go wrong? I don’t know. Let’s find out.” (02:08)
• Context on Use Case:
  Jordan’s real-life need: organizing and tracking topics and ideas for the podcast’s "Start Here" beginner series, turning unwieldy lists and text files into a simple, visual management tool.

3. How Codex Works & Why It’s a Game Changer

• Natural Language to Code:
  Users describe the app they want in plain English; Codex translates these requirements into code (e.g., Swift for Mac apps), handles project structuring, and outputs a project file ready for Xcode. (07:25)
• Capabilities Beyond Coding:
  Jordan emphasizes Codex’s relevance for non-coding tasks, like generating spreadsheets or presentations, and hints OpenAI is steering Codex as its centerpiece over ChatGPT for many productivity applications.
  “You can actually use Codex for a lot of non-coding work as well.” (18:56)
• Security & Permissions Awareness:
  Codex can read, write, and overwrite files locally, so users must understand and approve permissions, especially on work devices.

4. Live Walkthrough: From Prompt to Working App

Step 1: Prompting Codex

(~07:25–13:56)

• Jordan pastes a detailed natural language prompt into Codex describing the desired app’s features and content (for managing podcast episodes and ideas).
• He points out:
  “The majority of this prompt… is just the content of those 35 different episodes.” (13:02)

Step 2: Codex Generates the Project

(13:57–23:14)

• Codex produces a Swift/Xcode project file based on the prompt.
• Jordan explains app structure, integrating local data storage, and how Codex chooses the right code and frameworks automatically.

Step 3: Moving to Xcode and Running the App

(23:15–26:43)

• The project is opened in Xcode, built, and run. Jordan clears the build folder as a habit (like clearing browser cache).

Troubleshooting and Iteration

(26:44–35:30)

• Error Handling:
  First build attempt returns a signing error. Jordan copies the error message, feeds it back to Codex—no extra context needed.
• Codex automatically revises and re-generates the project files.
• Second build works seamlessly, yielding a functioning desktop app with data persistence.

Adding New Features: Kanban View Example

(35:31–39:56)

• Jordan prompts Codex to add a Kanban function (a Trello-like drag-and-drop board for project management).
• Codex quickly updates and delivers a new project file.
• After the rebuild, the app has working Kanban features—something that “could’ve taken days for a traditional dev team.”
  “I can’t write anything by hand. And here, here we are now with this amazing technology that we all have access to now for free. And it’s doing it for me in a matter of, well, minutes.” (37:57)

5. Practical Best Practices & Tips

• Prompt Clarity:
  Use clear, consistent natural language. It helps to mention requirements like data persistence, view consistency, or desired features explicitly.
• Iterate Quickly:
  Codex enables rapid trial-and-error. Simply copy error messages or screenshots into Codex for fixes or improvements.
• Leverage Context:
  Codex retains and uses conversation context, reducing the need for repeated explanations.
• Cross-Platform Options:
  Codex supports building for the web, desktop, and mobile. Users can tailor for local storage, user authentication, and more as needed.

6. The Future and Roadmap

• Upcoming Features:
  Codex for Windows coming soon; improvements for multi-agent workflows, automations, and even faster response times.
• Codex vs. ChatGPT:
  Jordan predicts Codex will remain distinct, focusing on “agentic” productivity and software creation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Hundreds of millions of people can now create fully fledged working software for free without really knowing how to do any of it.”
— Jordan Wilson (00:17)

“What could go wrong? I don’t know. Let’s find out.”
— Jordan Wilson (02:08)

“If you had… a software developer and someone said, ‘can you add a Kanban… project management type view?’ Depending on what that is, it could have taken days of development time… and here we are with Codex 5.3… it’s doing it for me in a matter of, well, minutes.”
— Jordan Wilson (37:25)

“Any piece of software that could make your life better, you can go out, use Codex… create simple apps, no coding experience required.”
— Jordan Wilson (39:49)

Important Timestamps

• 00:17–01:18: Introduction to Codex app and GPT 5.3 Codex model, free tier news
• 07:25–13:56: Setting up the prompt, permissions, and app structure
• 13:57–23:14: Codex building the app, walking through output files
• 23:15–26:43: Opening project in Xcode, first build and troubleshooting
• 26:44–35:30: Debugging, error handling, and Codex-powered iteration
• 35:31–39:56: Adding Kanban feature, rapid prototyping showcase
• 39:57–40:44: Final thoughts, practical potential, encouragement

Episode Takeaways

• OpenAI’s Codex app democratizes app development for everyone.
• Natural language prompt = working, customizable app, with code and files generated instantly.
• Quick iteration and troubleshooting directly from Codex’s interface.
• Endless opportunities to tailor software to your exact needs, at zero or low cost, no technical barrier.
• If you can describe it, you can build it—or at least get a working prototype—today.

For More Resources

• Catch the video and newsletter recap at youreverydayai.com
• Connect with Jordan Wilson on LinkedIn
• Learn with the free Prime Prompt Polish ChatGPT course: https://podPPP.com

Summary Author’s Note:
Jordan Wilson’s approachable, transparent delivery makes intimidating concepts accessible and exciting. His message: Your coding and productivity potential is exponentially larger today—and using AI, anyone can build tools to work smarter, not harder.