Codex Editor Documentation
User guides for installing Codex, setting up projects, translating content, collaborating with teams, and exporting completed work.
Codex Editor Documentation
Codex is a desktop translation workspace for teams working with scripture, subtitles, audio, documents, spreadsheets, and other structured content. It combines the Codex desktop app with the Codex Translation Editor extension so translators can import source material, create target translations, collaborate with teammates, use AI assistance, validate work, and export deliverables.
If you are new, follow the path below. If something is broken, use the troubleshooting pages after you know which part of the workflow is failing.
Download Codex
Install the desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Initial Setup
Launch Codex, create an account, and understand first-launch behavior.
Create or Open a Project
Start a new project or download one your team has shared with you.
Import Files
Add source content or import an existing translation.
How Codex Is Organized
Codex is not only a website and not only an extension. It has two user-visible layers:
Codex Desktop App
The app is a VSCodium-based desktop application. It owns installation, app updates, the Open VSX extension gallery, microphone permissions, user profiles, and the built-in Codex components that install or pin the translation extensions.
Codex Translation Editor
The translation extension owns the project list, Frontier login, file import, the .codex editor, comments, search, sync, AI settings, project settings, and export workflows.
Codex can work offline after the app and required extensions are installed, but first launch, project downloads, AI suggestions, sync, and new extension version pins require network access.
Core App Components
Codex Translation Editor provides the startup project list, Navigation panel, Main Menu, .codex cell editor, Search Passages panel, Comments panel, AI tools, media handling, and export wizard.
Frontier Authentication handles Codex account login, remote project access, publishing, sync, and team collaboration.
CodexSideloader installs the required core extensions from Open VSX when they are missing. CodexConductor manages extension version pins and project-specific profiles so a team can keep everyone on compatible extension versions.
Main Workflows
Project Setup
Creating a Project
Choose a name, source language, and target language.
Opening and Closing Projects
Understand project filters, Download, Open, Open Offline, Fix & Open, and Update states.
Media and Storage
Choose Auto Download Media, Stream & Save, or Stream Only.
Project Settings
Manage languages, validation counts, sync, AI metrics, Copilot settings, and interface settings.
Translation
Translation Tools
Edit cells, use AI autocomplete, backtranslation, validation, locks, comments, and audio tools.
AI Settings
Configure the project system message and AI behavior.
Milestones and Navigation
Move through structured projects and select milestone ranges for export.
Search and Replace
Search files, compare passages, and replace target text safely.
Collaboration and Delivery
Sharing Projects
Publish to Cloud and invite collaborators.
Sync Troubleshooting
Diagnose common sync and project access issues.
Exporting Projects
Export plaintext, HTML, USFM, XLIFF, round-trip files, subtitles, CSV/TSV, backtranslations, and audio.
Update Codex
Update the app and understand extension pins.
When You Need Help
Start with the specific page for the task you were doing. If the problem is still unclear, use the Troubleshooting guide to collect the right details before posting in Discord.