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OpenAI Equips Responses API with a Full Computer Environment

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OpenAI built a computer environment into the Responses API: a shell tool (Unix utilities like grep, curl, awk; runs Go, Java, Node โ€” not Python-only), hosted containers with file systems and SQLite, network access via an egress proxy with domain-scoped secret injection, and native context compaction via /compact. The API orchestrates the full loop โ€” model proposes shell commands, container executes them, output streams back to the next step. Models GPT-5.2 and later are trained for this. Agent Skills โ€” versioned SKILL.md bundles registered via API โ€” load deterministically into container context.

This removes the need to build custom execution infrastructure. The egress proxy addresses a production blocker: giving agents internet access without exposing credentials or allowing unrestricted outbound traffic.

Use the shell tool and container file system to build multi-step workflows that fetch live data, run scripts, and produce structured artifacts โ€” the Responses API handles orchestration and compaction.

OpenAI Developers
OpenAI Developers
@OpenAIDevs
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๐Ÿ“ฃ Technical lessons from building computer access for agents Making long-running workflows practical required tightening the execution loop, providing rich context via file systems, and enabling network access with security guardrails. Here's how we equipped the Responses API with a computer environment: https://t.co/dMIlJN2iqA

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