openai
Feature request: Improve Codex CLI output readability with syntax highlighting and visual hierarchy
What feature would you like to see?
Summary
Codex CLI frequently outputs large amounts of generated code and explanations during normal usage. Currently, most of this output is rendered as plain white text, which makes long sessions hard to read, review, and reason about.
This feature request focuses specifically on output readability and visual structure, not overall theming or cosmetic customization.
Problems observed
- Generated code lacks syntax highlighting
- Explanations, code blocks, file paths, and warnings share the same visual style
- Important structural boundaries (e.g. where generated code begins or ends) are not visually distinct
- The UI feels visually flat and cognitively tiring during long or iterative sessions
Proposed improvements (scoped)
The goal is to introduce lightweight visual hierarchy, not heavy theming:
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Syntax highlighting for generated code blocks
-
Clear visual separation between:
- Explanations / reasoning
- Code blocks
- File paths / filenames
- Warnings or destructive actions
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Subtle use of color to establish hierarchy (headers, boxes, separators), rather than decoration
-
Improve readability without requiring additional configuration from the user
Even modest changes here would significantly reduce cognitive load and make Codex CLI feel more production-grade for long-running workflows.
Why this matters
Codex CLI is positioned as a serious, agentic developer tool. Visual clarity directly affects:
- Speed and accuracy of code review
- User confidence in generated output
- Comfort during long sessions
At the moment, the functionality is strong, but the UI undersells it.
Optional note (visual affordances)
As a small but high-impact improvement avoided by the current white-on-black output, structural UI elements such as headers or welcome boxes could benefit from a subtle accent color to signal hierarchy.
For example, using a calm, readable accent color (e.g. #7ec8e3) for non-code structural elements could help guide the eye without introducing heavy theming or visual noise.
This is less about aesthetics and more about providing clear visual affordances in a dense, text-heavy interface.
Additional information
No response
Syntax highlighting is already covered in #2912. Please upvote that feature if you'd like to see it.
I'll keep this feature request open because it contains some additional ideas.
Your Feature request shopuld be like this: ;-) Summary Working...
Problems observed Working...
Proposed improvements (scoped) Working...
Really..?
