Codex Desktop on Windows launches visible PowerShell console windows during background process polling, causing user distraction and concern.
Codex Desktop on Windows launches visible PowerShell console windows during background process polling, causing user distraction and concern.
Problem statement normalized from the linked evidence
CANDIDATE VIEW · NOT A PUBLISHED OPPORTUNITY
01
Qualification checklist
Gate decision: Aug 15, 2026
×
At least 3 independent users2 / 3
NOT MET
✓
At least 2 independent discussions2 / 2
MET
✓
At least 1 supporting signal1 Blocked workflows · Persistence
MET
02
Observed signals
Users2
Discussions2
Mentions2
Active days2
Source coverageGitHub
TrendUNKNOWN
First seenMay 21, 2026
Last seenJun 05, 2026
Why the gate is holding
Fewer than 3 independent users
Competition research, commercial scoring, and Build Gap analysis do not run until this gate passes.
03
Source evidence
2 evidence records
github · MEDIUM · Jun 05, 2026
Codex Desktop on Windows flashes visible PowerShell/console windows during background process polling
# Bug report: Codex Desktop on Windows flashes visible PowerShell/console windows during background process polling ## Summary Codex Desktop on Windows repeatedly launches short-lived `powershell.exe` processes for background process inspection. These processes are created with a visible console window, causing black terminal windows to flash on screen during normal use, even when the user is not explicitly running a command. This is disruptive and alarming because it looks like an unknown terminal or malware proce…
Codex Desktop on Windows periodically spawns visible PowerShell/conhost probe that steals focus
### What version of the Codex App are you using? Codex Desktop for Windows, installed package observed as `OpenAI.Codex_26.519.2081.0_x64__2p2nqsd0c76g0` with Electron crashpad annotation version `26.519.21041`. ### What operating system are you using? Windows with Codex configured to run in WSL (`runCodexInWindowsSubsystemForLinux = true`). ### What steps can reproduce the bug? 1. Start Codex Desktop on Windows. 2. Work in another desktop application or another terminal tab/window. 3. Leave Codex Desktop running f…