What version of Codex is running?
codex-cli 0.159.0 (npm, @openai/codex), Windows 11 Pro 26200
What happened?
Since updating (~2026-09-28), running codex from Windows Terminal briefly opens and closes a
new Windows Terminal window on startup and for every command the agent runs. The VS Code
extension does not have this problem, and older CLI versions didn't either.
Diagnosis (process monitor)
Commands are no longer spawned by the foreground CLI but by a background codex.exe
(app-server daemon) that has no console attached. Each child therefore gets a fresh console,
which Windows hands off to the default terminal app:
git.exe <- codex.exe (daemon) "git ... rev-parse --git-dir"
WindowsTerminal.exe <- svchost.exe
OpenConsole.exe -Embedding <- svchost.exe
conhost.exe <- git.exe
Same for the notify program (codex-computer-use.exe turn-ended) at the end of each turn.
Expected
Child processes spawned with CREATE_NO_WINDOW / hidden window (as the VS Code extension does),
or inherit the foreground CLI's console.
Workaround
Settings > System > For developers > Terminal = "Windows Console Host" stops the flashing.
Config
sandbox_mode = "danger-full-access", [windows] sandbox = "elevated" (flash also occurs with "unelevated")
What version of Codex is running?
codex-cli 0.159.0 (npm, @openai/codex), Windows 11 Pro 26200
What happened?
Since updating (~2026-09-28), running
codexfrom Windows Terminal briefly opens and closes anew Windows Terminal window on startup and for every command the agent runs. The VS Code
extension does not have this problem, and older CLI versions didn't either.
Diagnosis (process monitor)
Commands are no longer spawned by the foreground CLI but by a background codex.exe
(app-server daemon) that has no console attached. Each child therefore gets a fresh console,
which Windows hands off to the default terminal app:
git.exe <- codex.exe (daemon) "git ... rev-parse --git-dir"
WindowsTerminal.exe <- svchost.exe
OpenConsole.exe -Embedding <- svchost.exe
conhost.exe <- git.exe
Same for the
notifyprogram (codex-computer-use.exe turn-ended) at the end of each turn.Expected
Child processes spawned with CREATE_NO_WINDOW / hidden window (as the VS Code extension does),
or inherit the foreground CLI's console.
Workaround
Settings > System > For developers > Terminal = "Windows Console Host" stops the flashing.
Config
sandbox_mode = "danger-full-access", [windows] sandbox = "elevated" (flash also occurs with "unelevated")