OpenAI's first hardware device is an RGB macropod — 'Codex Micro' features 13 low-profile keys and a joystick for controlling AI coding agents

OpenAI has just entered the hardware market with its very first product — a glorified macropad called the " Codex Micro ." As the name suggests, it's meant to be used with the company's agentic coding platform, Codex, offering tactile response for an otherwise software-only experience. It's made by luxury keyboard company Work Louder, built on its existing Creator Micro 2 platform , and will cost a cool $230. Go deeper with TH Premium: AI and data centers (Image credit: Microsoft) Photonics and high-speed data movement is the next big AI bottleneck The data center cooling state of play Massive AI data center buildouts are squeezing energy supplies Ultra Ethernet: The data center interconnection of tomorrow The Codex Micro, also dubbed kbd-1.0-codex-micro for some reason, comes in a frosted white color with a mix of translucent, legend-less keycaps and some opaque ones that serve as "command keys." There are thirteen mechanical keys, one rotary encoder, one joystick and a capacitive touch sensor running across the top of the device, The body is constructed out of CNC'd aluminum with some polycarbonate parts. The see-through look of the Codex Micro is intentional because it relies on RGB (yes, you're reading this correctly) to convey responses. The six translucent keys up top have an integrated LED, and the entire perimeter of the device also lights up. According to Work Louder, the keys are supposed to provide a live view of your Codex threads, illuminating to signal different agents working. (Image credit: Future) The LEDs can show different colors based on where the agent is in a loop at any given time — whether it's thinking, stuck with an error, or perhaps requires feedback. White is used to denote idle behavior; green for an unread chat; blue for thinking; peach for a question; and red for an error. The sides of the Codex Micro also glow in the same color to make sure it catches your attention without you having to check manually. Then there's the joystick in th