Codex CLI vs Qwen Code

Codex CLI vs Qwen Code
Fact	Codex CLI	Qwen Code
Language	Rust	TypeScript
Licence	Apache-2.0	Apache-2.0
Stars	128k	28k
Latest	rust-v0.160.1	sdk-typescript-v0.1.18
Last push	2026-10-06	2026-10-06
Release cadence	too few releases	about 1 day between releases
Active contributors	91+ commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days	48+ commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days
Flags	none	none

How they relate

Both replace Claude Code. Alternatives to Claude Code →
Full replacementCodex CLIOpenAI's terminal agent, open source and built around OpenAI models.
Full replacementQwen CodeTerminal agent that started from Gemini CLI, tuned for Qwen models and open to other providers.
Both replace GitHub Copilot. Alternatives to GitHub Copilot →
PartialCodex CLIAn agent that works on the whole repository, without completions as you type.
PartialQwen CodeAn agent that works on the whole repository, without completions as you type.

sdk-typescript-v0.1.182026-10-05SDK TypeScript Release v0.1.18
desktop-v0.25.02026-10-05Qwen Code Desktop v0.25.0
v0.25.02026-10-05Release v0.25.0
v0.24.7-nightly.20261004.9915c7ff8f2026-10-04Release v0.24.7-nightly.20261004.9915c7ff8fpre-release
v0.24.7-nightly.20261003.2c591ecc082026-10-03Release v0.24.7-nightly.20261003.2c591ecc08pre-release

unsigned The latest release, rust-v0.160.1, carries no signature GitHub could verify.

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unsigned The latest release, sdk-typescript-v0.1.18, carries no signature GitHub could verify.

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