MCP stack for Codex

Codex is the agent. These three MCP servers work alongside it: one to run its work on machines you own, one to find more MCP servers, and one whiteboard you and Codex look at together. Each is attached with one codex mcp add command.

Add all three

codex mcp add aicommander --url https://aicommander.dev/mcp
codex mcp add mcpfinder -- npx -y @mcpfinder/server
codex mcp add cnvs --url https://cnvs.app/mcp
codex mcp list

Add only servers you trust: every MCP server you attach can act with the permissions you give it.

ServerWhat it adds to CodexTransportPrice
AI CommanderShell commands and detached jobs on your server, dev box, VPS or home PCRemote MCP + a host agent on each machineFree up to 10 machines; Pro $49/month
MCPfinderSearch the Official MCP Registry, Glama and Smithery; get install configLocal stdio via npx (Node.js 22.15+)Free, open source
cnvs.appA live whiteboard Codex reads and draws on while you watchRemote MCPFree, no signup

AI Commander — Codex on your own machines

Install the host agent on each machine you want Codex to drive. It makes one outbound connection to aicommander.dev and accepts no inbound connections, so you open no ports. Codex can then run commands there and start detached jobs that keep running after the session ends, and check their status and logs later. There is no AI Commander app: Codex stays the UI. Full setup: AI Commander with Codex.

Prompt — Codex
On my build-server, start a job in /srv/app named fix-tests that runs: codex exec --sandbox workspace-write "Run the test suite and fix what fails." Give me the jobId; I'll check its logs later.

MCPfinder — let Codex find its own MCP servers

MCPfinder is an open-source (GitHub) MCP server that searches the Official MCP Registry, Glama and Smithery. Codex gets search_mcp_servers, get_server_details, get_install_config and browse_categories, so it can look up a server for the task and show you the config. Review what it suggests before you install it.

cnvs.app — one board for Codex and you

cnvs.app is a free, no-signup, real-time whiteboard with an MCP endpoint at https://cnvs.app/mcp. Codex can read a board, add text, links and drawings, and manage kanban tasks on the same board you have open (cnvs.app MCP docs). The board ID is the key, so treat a board link like a password and keep secrets off shared boards.

The same stack for Claude Code and Grok, plus PLAI.chat for second opinions from other models: Agent stack.

FAQ

Which MCP servers should I add to Codex first?
Add servers that give Codex something it cannot do alone. AI Commander gives it a shell and detached jobs on your other machines, MCPfinder lets it search the Official MCP Registry, Glama and Smithery for further servers and returns their install config, and cnvs.app gives it a whiteboard you and Codex share. Add only servers you trust: every MCP server you attach can act with the permissions you give it.
How do I add a remote MCP server to Codex CLI?
Use codex mcp add with a URL, for example codex mcp add aicommander --url https://aicommander.dev/mcp. Run codex mcp list to see what is attached.
Is AI Commander an alternative to Codex?
No. AI Commander is a remote harness that works alongside Codex, Claude Code and Grok. It has no app of its own: Codex stays the UI, and AI Commander lets it run commands and detached jobs on machines you own.
Can Codex keep working on my server after I close the session?
Yes, with a detached job. Ask Codex to start an AI Commander job on the machine, for example one that runs codex exec in your repo; the job keeps running after the session ends and you read its status and logs later. The host agent dials out, so the server needs no inbound ports.
What does this cost?
AI Commander is free for up to 10 machines; Pro is $49 per month and adds file transfer and more machines. MCPfinder and cnvs.app are free. These are separate products from the Coder AI team with separate pricing; there is no bundle.

Start with your own machine

Install the host agent on a machine you own, run codex mcp add aicommander --url https://aicommander.dev/mcp, and ask Codex for a real job on that box.

Install the host agent Codex setup AI Commander pricing

Disclosure: AI Commander, MCPfinder and cnvs.app are made by the Coder AI team. Prices as published on 2026-10-13. Codex is a trademark of OpenAI; AI Commander is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenAI.