OpenAI Agents API
OpenAI-hosted, managed Codex harness API for durable cloud agents with sessions, context compaction, subagents, and MCP connectivity.
Category: Development & Code · Coding assistants & IDEs
Features
The OpenAI Agents API is an OpenAI-hosted, managed version of the Codex harness for durable cloud agents: sessions, context compaction, recovery, and up to four subagents run server-side, while the application supplies tools and chooses the execution environment.
There is no separate harness fee. Model tokens and tools are billed at standard API rates, with an optional hosted sandbox at container rates from $0.03 to $1.92 per 20-minute session (1 to 64 GB). Public beta since September 10, 2026, US data residency only, no Zero Data Retention.
- OpenAI-managed Codex harness instead of building your own: sessions, compaction, and subagent orchestration run server-side
- No harness fee; billing runs through standard model token prices, tool rates, and an optional container sandbox
- MCP connectivity over HTTP for your own or third-party tools
Prices and plans
| Tier | Price | Period | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agents API (Public Beta) | contact sales | usage-based | Sessions, context compaction, and recovery managed server-side; up to 4 parallel subagents MCP connectivity over HTTP; tools billed at standard API rates Optional hosted sandbox (hosted shell/code interpreter) at container rates: $0.03/$0.12/$0.48/$1.92 for 1/4/16/64 GB per 20-minute session, billed by the minute with a 5-minute minimum US data residency only; no ZDR, even with a self-hosted sandbox |
Limits
The Agents API manages sessions, context compaction, recovery, and up to four concurrent subagents server-side; the application supplies tools and chooses the execution environment. MCP servers connect over HTTP transport. Separate from the Agents SDK (in-app loop with full control over deployment, storage, and approvals) and from Codex/ChatGPT as an end-user product.
Similar tools
FAQ
Is OpenAI Agents API available for free?
No. No free access is published on the vendor's own pages.
How is OpenAI Agents API billed?
Public beta since September 10, 2026, header OpenAI-Beta: agents=v1. Container sessions are billed by the minute with a 5-minute minimum. US data residency only; no Zero Data Retention (ZDR), even with a self-hosted sandbox.
Is OpenAI Agents API still active?
Active access checked on the official product page.
How many plans are documented for OpenAI Agents API?
The catalog documents 1 plans with price, billing period, and included features.
Which use case is OpenAI Agents API categorized for?
OpenAI Agents API is listed in the catalog under “Development & Code.”
Where do the details about OpenAI Agents API come from?
Prices, limits, and product details are documented against the listed official vendor page.
How we compare
We compare free access, paid entry, plan limits, features and the listed official sources. Unsourced figures stay marked as not published.
Only confirmed entries appear in the catalog. Prices, plans and limits come from listed official vendor pages. Missing figures stay marked as not published. Result lists are alphabetical by default and can be switched to Free access first; neither is a quality ranking. The vendor page always wins.
Edited and checked by the AI Compare team
Sources
- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/agents-api/overview
- https://openai.com/index/introducing-the-agents-api/
- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/agents-api/quickstart
- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/agents
- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing
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