Project overview: Codex Dream Skin is an independent, open-source theming tool for the official Codex Desktop app. It is not an OpenAI product. It injects a visual theme through a local Chromium DevTools Protocol session without modifying the official app package, app.asar, WindowsApps files, or code signature.
What it provides: A continuous full-window wallpaper, adaptive colors and composition, saved theme switching, pause controls, verification, and one-step restoration. Native navigation, project selection, cards, and the composer remain interactive above the visual layer.
macOS setup: Install the official Codex Desktop app and launch it at least once. Download or clone the repository, open the macos folder, and double-click Install Codex Dream Skin.command. The command-line equivalent is ./scripts/install-dream-skin-macos.sh --no-launch. The installer uses the signed Node runtime bundled with Codex after validation, so a global Node.js install is not required.
macOS use and recovery: Start or reapply the theme with the desktop launcher named Codex Dream Skin.command. Use the Customize launcher to import a background, Verify to check the result, and Restore to return to the official appearance. The installed engine lives under ~/.codex/codex-dream-skin-studio, while state, logs, user images, and the theme backup stay under ~/Library/Application Support/CodexDreamSkinStudio.
Windows setup: Install Node.js 22 or newer and close Codex. From the repository root run powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\windows\scripts\install-dream-skin.ps1, then powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\windows\scripts\start-dream-skin.ps1. Later launches can use the installed shortcut. Run scripts\verify-dream-skin.ps1 to verify and scripts\restore-dream-skin.ps1 to restore. Do not replace, take ownership of, or edit WindowsApps files.
Background image guidance: Use a pure edge-to-edge wallpaper without window chrome, sidebars, cards, buttons, readable text, logos, or watermarks. A 2560 x 1440 16:9 master is recommended. Keep the left half relatively calm for native content and place the main subject toward the right without touching the edge. Confirm portrait, trademark, copyright, and redistribution rights before using public or commercial artwork.
How it works: The launcher discovers and validates the installed Codex app, starts it with CDP bound only to 127.0.0.1, accepts expected Codex renderer targets, and injects a reversible visual layer. It keeps a small local injector running so the theme survives navigation and reloads. Restore stops that injector and returns Codex to its normal launch path.
Security boundary: CDP is powerful and has no same-user authentication even when bound to loopback. While a themed session is active, do not run untrusted local software. Prefer Restore when you finish using the theme. The project does not change API keys, model providers, or base URLs.
Who it suits: It is useful for users who want a personalized Codex Desktop appearance and are comfortable running reviewed local scripts. Users who need a strictly stock client, cannot review scripts, or work under restrictive device-management policies should keep the official appearance.
Project and license: Review the repository, platform notes, scripts, tests, MIT license, and NOTICE before installation. Software licensing does not automatically grant rights to every user-provided or third-party image in the repository. Repository: https://github.com/Fei-Away/Codex-Dream-Skin
Break the goal into input, action, and output before adding review checkpoints.
Keep examples, failure conditions, and review criteria so the tutorial stays reusable.