First App.
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CHAPTER 03Lesson 10 of 36

Open the same folder in Codex

Xcode and Codex must work on the same app, in the same folder.

In Codex5 min read & do
By the end of this lesson

Let Codex read the existing project without creating a second copy.

Let’s do this

  1. 1
    In Codex

    Find the folder you just saved

    In Finder, locate the folder containing your .xcodeproj file and the app’s source files. Choose the enclosing project folder, not one individual Swift file and not the Xcode application.

  2. 2
    In Codex

    Open that folder as a project

    In the desktop app, use the option to add or open a project folder. Select the existing folder. Choose local work on your Mac when offered a choice; this course does not need a cloud coding environment or GitHub setup.

  3. 3
    In Codex

    Send a read-only first message

    Ask Codex to inspect the project and describe what it found. Tell it not to create or change files yet. Check that the app name and folder it describes match Xcode.

  4. 4
    In Codex

    Keep permissions tied to the job

    When Codex requests access, read what it wants to do and why. Access to this app folder is expected. If a request mentions deleting files, spending money or an unrelated folder, ask for an explanation before allowing it.

OpenAI’s setup guide showing the menu for choosing Codex in the ChatGPT desktop app.View larger
Screenshot of OpenAI’s official setup guide, captured 7 September 2026. The guide’s interactive illustration shows where to choose Codex.Screenshot source (opens a new tab)

A message for Codex

Inspect the existing Xcode project in this folder for my first iPhone app. Do not create or edit files yet. Tell me the app name, the project file you found, and the next three steps to run its starter screen in the iPhone simulator. Use plain English. If this is not an Xcode project folder, stop and explain what I should select.

Make this message fit your idea.

What you should see

Codex identifies the same project you see in Xcode. Both tools point to one folder.

If you get stuck

Go at your own pace. There is no test to pass.

Checked 7 September 2026. Screens can change; the official guides below have the latest steps.

Projects in CodexOfficial Codex setup