OpenAI has brought on board the team behind Alex, a developer tool that integrated artificial intelligence directly into Apple’s Xcode environment. Now joining OpenAI’s Codex division, the group is poised to deepen the company’s expertise in AI-powered coding.
Alex emerged with the mission of pioneering AI within the traditionally static Xcode workspace. Founded by a small team in 2024, it introduced intelligent coding suggestions and enhancements directly into the workflow for iOS and macOS developers. With Xcode later gaining support for third-party AI tools, Alex’s creators recognized an opportunity to scale their vision by joining forces with a broader research and development team.
In a recent statement, Alex’s founders celebrated what they built: transforming an absent AI environment in Xcode into a capable, context-aware coding assistant. They’ll continue maintaining the app for existing users, though it will be phased out after October 1, and no new features are planned as the team transitions to OpenAI.
This move underscores OpenAI’s ongoing investment in developer tooling. By integrating this experienced team into its Codex group—already known for building AI-driven programming tools—OpenAI strengthens its foothold in the fast-evolving space of intelligent software assistance.
