How Codex quota works
OpenAI estimates quota by local messages per 5-hour window rather than a fixed message count. Different models consume different amounts, and local messages and cloud tasks share the same plan quota.
| Plan | Official price | Codex quota | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 / month | Base quota | Occasional development work |
| ChatGPT Pro 5x | $100 / month | About 5x Plus | Heavy users who hit limits |
| ChatGPT Pro 20x | $200 / month | About 20x Plus | High-frequency, long-running agent work |
Four things that drain quota
- Fast mode consumes roughly 2.5x the quota of standard mode.
- Local messages and cloud tasks draw from the same pool.
- Cloud tasks support a limited set of models.
- Codex-Spark has its own separate limits.
How to top up
- Pick ChatGPT Plus, Pro 5x or Pro 20x and pay online.
- Submit your ChatGPT Session so staff can verify the account and activate the plan.
- No password and no overseas credit card required.
- There is no Codex-only top-up. Be careful with any seller claiming otherwise.
Checking remaining quota
- Open the official Usage page in ChatGPT.
- Run /status in the Codex CLI.
- When quota runs out, local or cloud tasks stop with a limit warning.
FAQ
Can I buy Codex on its own?
No. There is no standalone Codex membership or credit pack; quota comes with ChatGPT Plus and Pro.
Is Plus enough for Codex?
For regular weekly development it usually is. If you hit the limit mid-cycle often, move to Pro 5x; for constant heavy use, Pro 20x is simpler.
When does the quota start?
Once the plan is active it follows the official billing cycle. Progress is shown on your order page.
Do you need my password?
No. We only need the ChatGPT Session to verify the account. We never ask for passwords, verification codes or payment details.