Codex Pets brings digital creatures to your desktop. These pets live on your screen while you use other programs. They work with tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex. You can watch them walk, sleep, and play while you work.
- Visit the releases page to find the latest version.
- Look for the section labeled Assets.
- Click the file that ends in .exe for Windows.
- Open the file once the download finishes.
- Follow the screen prompts to complete the installation.
Your pet appears in the system tray after installation. This is the small area near your clock on the taskbar. Right-click the icon to open the menu. You can choose which pet to display and change how they behave.
- Many choices: Pick from over 200 pixel pets.
- Smart movement: Pets walk across your open windows.
- Hatch eggs: Start with an egg and watch your new pet grow.
- Low impact: The app uses very little computer power.
- Open source: The code remains free for anyone to inspect.
- Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- Memory: At least 2 gigabytes of RAM.
- Storage: 100 megabytes of free space.
- Graphics: Standard display driver.
Pets respond to your mouse. You can click on them to make them jump. If you leave your computer, the pets often find spots to sleep on your screen edges. Some pets like to follow your cursor. You can change these settings in the main menu.
The system tray icon gives you control over the experience. If you find a pet distracting, select "Pause" to stop the movement. You can select "Exit" to close the app completely. The program saves your preferences so your pet returns when you restart your computer.
The app supports custom pixel art. You can save your own images to the installation folder. Name your images correctly so the app can read them. Check the settings menu to see the required file size and format. Most users prefer small, simple drawings for the best results.
New pets arrive with each update. Check the website link occasionally for version numbers. Reinstalling the new file usually replaces the old one while keeping your settings. You do not need to delete your previous version before you update.
This project follows the MIT license. This means you have the right to look at the code at any time. The app does not collect personal data from your machine. It only interacts with your desktop display. You can run this app with confidence knowing it contains no hidden trackers.
If the pet does not appear, check your hidden icons in the taskbar. Click the small arrow near your clock to see if the pet icon hides there. If the pet stops moving, try restarting the app from the start menu. Ensure your graphics drivers are current if you see glitches on the screen. Most issues resolve after a simple restart of the program.
Does the pet affect my work? No. The pets sit in a special layer above your windows but below your active text boxes so they do not block your typing.
Can I have multiple pets? Yes. You can select more than one pet from the menu. They will roam the screen together.
Is it free? Yes. The software is free for all users.
Do I need an internet connection? You only need the internet to download the app. Once installed, the pets run locally on your computer.
The settings menu includes a section for transparency. You can make your pets semi-transparent if they overlap with text. You can also change the speed of their movement. If you have a slow computer, reduce the number of active pets to save resources.
The project uses the MIT license. This allows you to use, copy, and share the software. You can modify the code for your own personal use. This keeps the project open for everyone.
Place your favorite pets in a folder to cycle through them. You can rename the files to organize them by type, such as cats, dogs, or robots. Keep your desktop clean to give your pets more room to walk. Remember to save your work before you close the computer so your progress stays safe. The pets will be here when you return.