Key facts
| Date | 18 Jun 2026 |
|---|
OpenAI has removed GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.3-Codex from availability in Codex for users accessing it through ChatGPT subscriptions.
The change took effect around June 2, 2026, with users reporting the models disappeared from the VS Code extension and CLI without clear prior notice in some cases.
Details of the Change
- Affected models: GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.3-Codex
- Where they are no longer available: Codex interface when logged in with a ChatGPT subscription (Plus, Pro, or Business plans). This includes the VS Code extension and CLI.
- User impact: Multiple reports indicate the VS Code extension lost access to a significant portion of available models. GPT-5.3-Codex was frequently cited by users as superior for code and codebase understanding compared to newer GPT-5.4 and GPT-5.5 models.
- Availability: The models remain accessible via the OpenAI API using a paid API key. Users can switch the Codex extension or CLI to API authentication to regain access.
- Stated reason (per community reports): Fleet simplification and deprecation of lower-cost models from the subscription tier.
Users on the OpenAI Community forum described the change as sudden, with some noting that subscription pages still listed Codex 5.3 as available even after the models disappeared from the interface.
Actions to Take
- Developers using Codex in VS Code or CLI with ChatGPT subscriptions: Log out of the extension/CLI and log back in with an API key to restore access to GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.3-Codex.
- Teams that preferred GPT-5.3-Codex for coding tasks: Test newer GPT-5.4/GPT-5.5 models with lower reasoning effort settings, as some users report they perform adequately with adjusted prompting.
- Subscription holders: Check your account’s model availability page and compare it against what is actually accessible in Codex. Discrepancies have been widely reported.
- Users evaluating long-term Codex usage: Consider whether relying on subscription-tier model access remains viable, or shift primary workflows to direct API usage for more stable model availability.
- Feedback to OpenAI: Post specific use cases where GPT-5.3-Codex outperformed newer models in the official community thread or support channels, particularly around codebase understanding and efficiency.
The models are not fully removed from OpenAI’s fleet — they have been pulled from the ChatGPT subscription experience and are now API-only.
Last updated 4 Oct 2026 · Narracomm · The Record · every figure cites its primary above.