01What Is the ChatGPT 5.6 Codex Update?

The ChatGPT 5.6 Codex update brings a major upgrade to OpenAI's coding agent, now rebranded simply as ChatGPT. In this episode, Julian Goldie tests the new features, showing how the tool can build websites, control your computer, edit videos, and more.

Codex no longer exists as a separate name. It is now part of the ChatGPT app, which Julian describes as a 'super app.' You can switch between different settings, from faster to smarter, and choose the effort level for each task.

The update is significant because it turns ChatGPT into a versatile agent that works in the background on complex tasks. Julian notes it is 'by far the best update that we've seen recently.'

02Main Features in the ChatGPT 5.6 Codex Update

Julian highlights several key features in this update:

  • Rebranding: Codex is now called ChatGPT, so all tasks happen inside the ChatGPT app.
  • Settings and effort levels: You can switch between faster and smarter modes, and increase effort to get better outputs (e.g., 'sold extra high').
  • New project creation: Start from scratch or use existing folders for each project.
  • Website builder: A dedicated 'sites' section lets you create full websites by typing a prompt.
  • Compute use: Codex can control your computer in the background, typing and navigating pages for you.
  • 'Pet' panel: A side panel that shows live previews of background tasks and lets you manage multiple projects.
  • App integrations: Connect tools like Descript to edit videos automatically.
  • Image generation: Uses ChatGPT image 2.0 for design elements.

03How to Get Started with ChatGPT 5.6 Codex

Getting started with the ChatGPT 5.6 Codex update is straightforward. Julian walks through the process:

  1. Open the ChatGPT app (formerly Codex) and go to 'New task.'
  2. Click 'New project' and choose 'Start from scratch' or 'Use an existing folder.'
  3. Give your project a name (e.g., 'AI Profit Boardroom Website').
  4. Type your instruction, like 'Create a new website for the AI profit boardroom community.'
  5. Adjust the effort level if you want better results (e.g., 'sold extra high').
  6. Pin the task to keep it at the top for later.
  7. Wait for the task to run in the background, and watch the preview in the 'pet' panel.

Julian emphasizes using a separate folder for each project to keep tasks organized.

04Using the ChatGPT 5.6 Codex Update for Real Tasks

Julian demonstrates several real-world uses:

Website creation: He asked ChatGPT to create a website for the AI Profit Boardroom. The tool built a modern site with animations, CTAs, and a working FAQ. It even added a video to the page.

Compute use: He typed 'computer use' and told Codex to post a message about ChatGPT 5.6 in a Facebook group. Codex navigated the page, typed the post, and published it—complete with personalized SEO tips.

Video editing: He linked Descript and asked Codex to edit his latest SEO video. It found the video, removed filler words, and added effects like zooms and animations.

App installation: He tried to install the Hermes agent from GitHub. For this, he created a separate folder and let Codex work on it in the background.

05Results and Comparisons from the Episode

Julian compares the new website to the old one, which was created with Opus 4.8. He says the new version looks 'a lot more modern and classy,' with better design, animations, and highlighted words. The FAQ works, and the site doesn't feel as 'AI-made.'

For compute use, he notes that a similar task with Claude failed before, but ChatGPT 5.6 completed it perfectly. It even personalized the post based on his SEO knowledge.

He also tests video editing with Descript. The tool removed filler words and added effects, though there was some error initially. Julian says this 'literally replaces a human editor.'

Overall, he says GPT 5.6 is 'by far the best model to use' in the ChatGPT app, and the update 'leveled up massively.'

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Julian shares important tips and warnings:

  • Always create a separate folder for each project—he made a mistake by not doing so initially.
  • Switch down to lower effort levels can make the tool less useful, so choose higher effort for complex tasks.
  • The 'pet' panel may not show all ongoing conversations; Julian noticed a bug where a task didn't appear, possibly due to folder usage.
  • You can change the speed to 1.5x, which moves 50% faster but uses more tokens.
  • Background tasks can be slow (e.g., the website took a while), but you can schedule tasks for later so you don't need to stay at your computer.
  • If an error occurs (like with Descript), you can switch to another task in the meantime.

07Who Should Use the ChatGPT 5.6 Codex Update and Why It Matters

This update is for anyone who wants to automate tasks without coding. Julian suggests it's great for social media content, video editing, website creation, and computer use.

It's especially useful for marketers, content creators, and business owners who want to save time. The ability to run tasks in the background means you can multitask.

Julian mentions that his community (AI Profitable Boardroom) uses these tools extensively. He also shows examples from GoldieBench, like games and videos created with Codex.

The update matters because it makes advanced AI accessible to everyday users. You just type what you want, and ChatGPT handles the rest.