Can you use ChatGPT Codex FREE in VS Code/Antigravity? | Step by Step Guide for 2026
A lot of developers are wondering whether ChatGPT Codex can actually be used for free inside VS Code or alongside tools like Antigravity, especially now that AI coding workflows are changing fast in 2026. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn what free access really looks like, which plans include Codex officially, how to connect it inside VS Code, and what to expect if you want to use it together with an AI-first coding setup. OpenAI’s official docs say Codex works through the VS Code extension and that Codex is included with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans, while the Codex product page also notes availability with Free and Go.
This beginner-friendly walkthrough covers installing the Codex extension, signing in with either a ChatGPT account or API key, understanding where plan access matters, and checking whether your setup can fit into a VS Code or Antigravity-based workflow. You’ll also see the practical differences between using Codex directly in VS Code versus comparing it with Antigravity as a separate coding environment. OpenAI’s quickstart confirms sign-in can happen with a ChatGPT account or API key, and Google’s Antigravity is positioned as its own agent-first coding tool rather than a built-in Codex host.
By the end, you’ll have a clear answer on whether you can use ChatGPT Codex free, what limitations may apply, and how to get everything working properly inside your coding workflow without confusion.
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