Codex Skin Maker

Download to restore · every click explained

Follow the clicks. Copy the commands. Install your Codex Skin.

You do not need to know how to code. Pick your computer, follow the numbered steps, and check the success message before moving on.

I use a MacI use Windows

Last reviewed: July 17, 2026 · Upstream commit 26c6c41 · Features may change after updates.

Quick check before you begin

First installation
About 10 min
No official app patching
Reversible
Both platforms covered
Mac / Windows

Step zero

Put these 3 things on your checklist.

Having them ready first keeps the installation simple and prevents missing-file detours.

01

Official Codex desktop app

Install the official Codex app and open it successfully at least once. Save any unfinished input before installing a skin.

02

Your exported skin ZIP

Use the builder's Export button to download a file ending in .dreamskin.zip. Mac can use the background.webp inside it.

03

The upstream Dream Skin tool

This site does not install software. The button below downloads the public Fei-Away/Codex-Dream-Skin source archive.

Keep both ZIP files in Downloads

One ZIP is the skin you made. The other is the open-source tool that runs a skin locally. Never place API keys or account files inside either folder.

Make a skin firstDownload Dream Skin tool
Custom images supported

Complete macOS tutorial

Mac: install by opening files.

The Mac build validates and uses the Node runtime bundled with Codex, so you do not need to install Node.js. It creates Desktop launchers for starting, customizing, verifying, and restoring.

Mac can currently use the background.webp exported by this site as the theme image.
  1. 01

    Open Codex once, then quit it completely

    Open the official Codex app and wait for the home screen. Then choose Codex → Quit Codex from the menu bar, or press Command + Q.

    Make sure every Codex window is closed before continuing.
    Success looks like this: There are no Codex windows left on the desktop.
  2. 02

    Unzip the Dream Skin tool

    Open Downloads and double-click Codex-Dream-Skin-main.zip. A Codex-Dream-Skin-main folder will appear.

    Open Codex-Dream-Skin-main, then open the macos folder.
    Success looks like this: You can see Install Codex Dream Skin.command.
  3. 03

    Run the installer

    Control-click Install Codex Dream Skin.command, choose Open, then choose Open again in the macOS dialog. Terminal completes the installation.

    If it asks to restart Codex, save unfinished input and allow the restart.
    Success looks like this: Four Desktop launchers appear: Codex Dream Skin, Customize, Verify, and Restore.
    If macOS cannot verify the developer, use Control-click → Open. Do not disable Gatekeeper or allow apps from every source.
  4. 04

    Choose the picture you made

    Double-click your .dreamskin.zip to unzip it. Then open Codex Dream Skin - Customize.command from the Desktop.

    In the file picker, open the extracted skin folder and select background.webp. Enter a theme name and continue.
    Success looks like this: Codex reopens with your selected background.
    The upstream tool does not import the complete .dreamskin.zip or all color settings yet. The simplest supported path is selecting background.webp.
  5. 05

    Verify that the real controls still work

    Open Codex Dream Skin - Verify.command from the Desktop. It creates and opens Codex Dream Skin Verification.png on the Desktop.

    Return to Codex and test the sidebar, new task, project picker, composer, and one Diff.
    Success looks like this: The verification image opens and native Codex buttons, menus, and input remain clickable.
  6. 06

    Use Restore whenever you want to go back

    Open Codex Dream Skin - Restore.command. It stops injection, closes the local debugging session, and reopens Codex normally.

    Restore is also recommended when you finish a themed session.
    Success looks like this: Codex returns to its previous appearance. You may keep the Desktop launchers for later.
PowerShell install

Complete Windows tutorial

Windows: copy 3 commands.

The Windows build validates the official Microsoft Store Codex package and uses PowerShell to create Desktop shortcuts. It requires Node.js 22 or newer and binds debugging to local 127.0.0.1.

Download the LTS release from the Node.js website
As of this review, the upstream Windows build does not support choosing a custom image. You can install its bundled theme, but cannot directly import this site's background.webp.
  1. 01

    Install Node.js and check the version

    Open the Node.js website above, download the LTS installer, and keep the default options while clicking Next. Then open Windows Terminal or PowerShell.

    Paste into terminal
    node --version
    Success looks like this: Terminal prints v22, v23, v24, or a larger version number.
    If node is not recognized, close and reopen Terminal. Restart Windows if it still is not found.
  2. 02

    Unzip the tool and open Terminal in the right folder

    Right-click Codex-Dream-Skin-main.zip in Downloads, choose Extract All, open the extracted folder, then open its windows folder.

    Right-click empty space inside the windows folder and choose Open in Terminal. If that option is missing, Shift-right-click and choose Open PowerShell window here. The path should end in \windows.
    Success looks like this: Running dir shows both scripts and assets folders.
  3. 03

    Close Codex and run the installer

    Quit Codex completely. Copy the full command below, paste it into the Terminal you just opened, and press Enter.

    Paste into terminal
    powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File ".\scripts\install-dream-skin.ps1"
    Success looks like this: Terminal says Codex Dream Skin installed, and Start plus Restore shortcuts appear on the Desktop.
    The script should never ask you to take ownership of or replace WindowsApps files. Stop immediately if anything asks you to do that.
  4. 04

    Start the skin from the Desktop

    Double-click Codex Dream Skin on the Desktop. If it asks to restart Codex, save unfinished input and approve the restart.

    Wait for Codex to open and do not interrupt the brief launcher window.
    Success looks like this: The tool reports an active loopback session and Codex shows the bundled pink-purple theme.
  5. 05

    Create a verification screenshot

    Return to the windows Terminal and run the command below. It checks the injected state and writes a screenshot to the Desktop.

    Paste into terminal
    powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File ".\scripts\verify-dream-skin.ps1" -ScreenshotPath "$HOME\Desktop\Codex Dream Skin Verification.png"
    Success looks like this: Codex Dream Skin Verification.png appears on the Desktop and Terminal shows no red error.
  6. 06

    Restore the official appearance

    Double-click Codex Dream Skin - Restore on the Desktop. After confirmation, it closes the skin and debugging session, then reopens Codex normally.

    If the shortcut is missing, run the restore command below from the windows Terminal.
    Paste into terminal
    powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File ".\scripts\restore-dream-skin.ps1" -RestoreBaseTheme -PromptRestart
    Success looks like this: Codex reopens with its previous appearance.

Spend one final minute checking it.

A visible background is not enough. The installation is complete only when every item below still works.

  • The sidebar expands, switches views, and creates tasks
  • The project picker remains clickable
  • The composer accepts text, attachments, and submission
  • Task content and tool status remain readable
  • Diff red and green semantics remain clear
  • Menus, dialogs, and keyboard focus are unobstructed
  • Nothing asks for an API key, Base URL, or password
  • You have personally completed Restore once

After a Codex update

Restore first, then check the newest upstream release. Old selectors may no longer match the updated interface.

When Terminal shows red errors

Capture the complete error, then check whether Codex is closed, the Node version, and the current Terminal folder. Hide private paths before sharing.

When the page looks wrong

Do not delete official Codex files. Run Restore first, confirm normal Codex opens, then troubleshoot the skin.

Tutorial source and current limits

This tutorial was checked against the public macOS README, Windows SKILL, and the upstream install, start, verify, and restore scripts. Only Mac currently supports user-selected images, and neither platform directly imports the complete .dreamskin.zip. Check the repository again before installation.

Open Fei-Away/Codex-Dream-Skin on GitHub