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Codex Dream Skin guide

Install Codex Dream Skin on Windows

Install Codex Dream Skin for the Microsoft Store Codex app, verify the real interface, and preserve a safe rollback.

Reviewed by Codex Skin Lab · Last reviewed July 18, 2026

Short answer

On Windows, Dream Skin requires Codex from Microsoft Store, PowerShell 5.1 or newer, and Node.js 22 or newer. Its app files, themes, logs, and saved settings live under %LOCALAPPDATA%\CodexDreamSkin.

Requirements

  • The official OpenAI.Codex app installed from Microsoft Store and registered for the current Windows user.
  • Windows PowerShell 5.1 or newer and Node.js 22+ available on PATH.
  • Codex fully closed before installation; normal installation does not require administrator access or WindowsApps ownership.
01

Check the project and prerequisites

Open the current Windows instructions on the Codex Dream Skin project page. Confirm Node and the registered Store package before installation.

node --version
Get-AppxPackage -Name OpenAI.Codex
Expected:Node reports v22 or newer and Get-AppxPackage returns the current user's official OpenAI.Codex package.
If this fails:Stop if the package is absent, Node is older, or an installer asks for administrator ownership of WindowsApps, API keys, a provider URL, or unrelated Codex settings.
02

Install from the windows directory

Bypass applies only to this installer command. It checks the Microsoft Store app and Node.js, saves the previous appearance, verifies copied files, and creates launch, tray, and restore shortcuts.

powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\install-dream-skin.ps1
Expected:The app files appear under %LOCALAPPDATA%\CodexDreamSkin\engine and the Codex Dream Skin, Tray, and Restore shortcuts are created.
If this fails:Do not weaken system or enterprise policy. If Windows or antivirus blocks the file, keep it quarantined and check the current project instructions.
03

Launch and choose a theme

Use the Codex Dream Skin shortcut. Saved packs live under %LOCALAPPDATA%\CodexDreamSkin\themes\<theme-id> and appear in the tray's Saved themes menu after theme.json and its image pass the built-in checks.

powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -File "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\CodexDreamSkin\engine\scripts\start-dream-skin.ps1" -PromptRestart
Expected:After you approve the restart, Codex opens with the theme and the tray can switch, pause, save, or reapply it.
If this fails:If Codex is already open, close it or use the restart prompt. Never stop an unidentified process merely to free a port.
04

Run automatic and manual checks

The included check confirms that the theme belongs to the current Codex app, the native sidebar and composer are present, and the decoration does not block clicks. Then manually test Home and a normal task.

powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -File "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\CodexDreamSkin\engine\scripts\verify-dream-skin.ps1" `
  -ScreenshotPath "$env:TEMP\codex-dream-skin.png"
Expected:The command completes successfully, the screenshot has no overflow or illegible text, and sidebar, project menu, scrolling, Diff, focus, and composer interaction all work.
If this fails:Review the logs under %LOCALAPPDATA%\CodexDreamSkin. Restore before reinstalling or changing a theme.
05

Restore the official launch path

Normal recovery closes the tray and Dream Skin, restores the saved appearance, and reopens the official app. Full configuration recovery is a separate last-resort operation.

powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -File "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\CodexDreamSkin\engine\scripts\restore-dream-skin.ps1" `
  -RestoreBaseTheme -PromptRestart
Expected:Codex reopens normally and the skin is absent. Themes and imported images remain unless you explicitly remove them.
If this fails:Do not add -RecoverConfigBackup unless config.toml is damaged and normal appearance restore failed; it restores a broader pre-install backup.

Project references

Codex Skin Lab compared this guide with the sources below on July 18, 2026. The links let you verify requirements and commands against the project's current instructions before you run them.

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