Claude Code vs Codex CLI
Side-by-side default footprint for the latest captured versions of both agents: request tokens, tool definitions, bundled skills, and sub-agent declarations.
Benchmark data last updated July 7, 2026 UTC
Token footprint summary
2.36× spread
Claude Code loads 11,846 more default tokens than Codex CLI.
Default tokens
o200k_base · latest request
20,556
8,710
+11,846
2.36×
Claude Code
Codex CLITools
25
11
+14
2.27×
Claude CodeCodex CLISkills
14
5
+9
2.80×
Claude CodeCodex CLISub-agents
5
0
+5
—
Claude CodeCodex CLIComparisons use each agent's latest captured hibench run. See methodology for capture details.
Token footprint summary
2.37× spread
Claude Code loads 18,451 more default tokens than Codex CLI.
Default tokens
Anthropic claude-opus-4-8 · latest request
31,957
13,506
+18,451
2.37×
Claude CodeCodex CLITools
25
11
+14
2.27×
Claude CodeCodex CLISkills
14
5
+9
2.80×
Claude CodeCodex CLISub-agents
5
0
+5
—
Claude CodeCodex CLIComparisons use each agent's latest captured hibench run. See methodology for capture details.