The team behind Alex, a tool built to integrate AI models into Apple’s Xcode development environment, will be joining OpenAI. The move strengthens OpenAI’s Codex division, which develops the company’s AI coding agent.
From Xcode integration to OpenAI Codex
Alex was founded in 2024 by Daniel Edrisian and backed by Y Combinator. Its goal was to build a “Cursor for Xcode,” embedding AI directly into Apple’s development suite for iOS and macOS apps.
Apple later updated Xcode in 2024, enabling direct access to ChatGPT and other AI models. This reduced the need for third-party tools like Alex, though Edrisian noted that his team had already built “the best coding agent for iOS & MacOS apps” before Apple’s move.
Transition plan for Alex users
In a blog post, the company announced that Alex will be discontinued on October 1. Existing users will retain access, but the tool will no longer be available for new downloads or feature updates. The startup confirmed it will provide maintenance support for current users.
OpenAI’s recent acquisitions and hiring strategy
Alex’s team consisted of three employees, according to Y Combinator records. It remains unclear whether all will transition to OpenAI, but the company often integrates teams rather than acquiring full startups.
This hiring follows OpenAI’s $1.1 billion acquisition of Statsig, a product testing startup, highlighting the company’s push to expand AI tools for developers.
