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Better together

DriftLess + OpenAI Codex

Codex writes code autonomously. DriftLess ensures it writes the RIGHT code.

The problem they solve together

OpenAI Codex is a powerful autonomous coding agent that can read your codebase, write code, and open pull requests — all without human intervention. But autonomy without governance is a recipe for scope creep. Codex might refactor code you didn't ask it to touch, add features that weren't in the spec, or make architectural decisions that don't align with your plan.

DriftLess wraps your development workflow to catch drift before it costs you — whether you're using Codex, Claude Code, Cursor, or any other AI tool. Define your goal once, and DriftLess alerts you the moment the build starts wandering.

Side-by-side comparison

AspectOpenAI CodexDriftLess
What it doesAutonomous AI coding agentGuards scope, tracks drift, learns preferences
Core outputCode changes + PRsDrift Score, decision logs, learned preferences
AI providerOpenAI (API-based)Hosted credits by default; Team BYOK for any provider
Token markupAPI pricing ($0.015/1k tokens)$0 markup with Team BYOK — or use hosted credits
Monthly costPay per useFree: 2,000 credits/mo (~1 build), hosted only, 1 project. Pro $20/mo: 10,000 credits/mo (~5 builds), hosted only, up to 5 projects, unlimited pack purchases. Team $39/user/mo: 28,000 credits/user/mo (~15 builds), hosted + BYOK, unlimited projects.
Scope controlNoneReal-time Drift Score with alerts
Context memoryPer-taskPersistent across all sessions
LearningNoneLearns preferences, adapts over time
Best forDevelopers with existing codebasesBuilders who want scope control + cost transparency
FAQ

Common questions

Do I have to give up OpenAI Codex to use DriftLess?

No. DriftLess is built as a companion layer, not a replacement. Keep using OpenAI Codex as an autonomous coding agent; DriftLess adds engineering orchestration — goals, drift visibility, and durable decision history — so the work still matches what you planned.

How does DriftLess work alongside OpenAI Codex?

You set the product intent once. DriftLess tracks scope drift (via the Drift Score), flags when output starts to wander, and preserves context across sessions. That makes handoffs into GitHub pull requests and Linear tickets much clearer when you are ready to ship like a team.

What is scope drift?

Scope drift is when AI-assisted work expands past what you asked for — extra features, refactors you did not request, or budget burned on the wrong problems. DriftLess surfaces drift early so you can re-center before it compounds.

Can I use my own API key (BYOK) with DriftLess?

Yes, on Team and platform-admin accounts. With BYOK you pay your model provider at their published rates; DriftLess adds no token markup. Free and Pro use hosted credits only, while Team ($39/user/mo) adds BYOK on top of the higher hosted allowance.

How do hosted credits and credit packs work?

Every plan includes monthly credits (Free: 2,000, Pro: 10,000, Team: 28,000/user). Each build uses credits based on actual AI model usage. When your monthly credits run out, buy credit packs to keep building — purchased credits never expire. On the free tier you can purchase up to one Launch pack per month. Pro and Team unlock unlimited pack purchases — details on the pricing page.

Does DriftLess replace GitHub or Linear?

No. Your repository and issue tracker stay the system of record. DriftLess helps you stay aligned while building and produce better-structured output for PRs and tickets — it does not replace your git host or PM tool.

Code with Codex. Ship with DriftLess.

Free tier available — no card required. Full details on pricing.

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Deep dives with sources: DriftLess blog · Pricing & BYOK