Caribou is the internal codename for OpenAI's upcoming GPT-5.2 Codex model. It was discovered in leaked GitHub logs before its official unveiling as the new engine for GitHub Copilot and the OpenAI API.

Is Caribou better than GPT-4o for coding?

Yes, benchmarks suggest that GPT-5.2 Codex (Caribou) may significantly outperforms GPT-4o and GPT-5.1 in "SWE-bench" (Software Engineering) tasks, particularly those involving multi-file edits and long-term context.

How do I access OpenAI Caribou?

You can access it via the OpenAI API (listed as gpt-5.2-codex) or by using GitHub Copilot, which is gradually rolling out the new model to subscribers.

It is expected to be a paid commercial model. API usage is billed per token (approx. $1.75/1M input tokens), and Copilot access requires a monthly subscription.

OpenAI Caribou

The most advanced agentic coding model for professional software engineering.

From OpenAI

Founder: OpenAI (Research Team)

Code & Development

Dec 2025*

Paid

Pricing Model

Paid

Starting Price

$20/Month

About This AI

“Caribou” is the internal codename for OpenAI’s upcoming breakthrough in automated programming, officially released as the GPT-5.2-Codex model.

It represents a shift from simple “autocomplete” to true “agentic coding,” designed to handle long-running, complex software engineering tasks that require maintaining context across hundreds of files.

Unlike previous versions that were split into multiple tiers, Caribou consolidates power into a single, high-performance model that integrates deeply with GitHub Copilot and VS Code to act as a fully autonomous software engineer capable of refactoring entire repositories.

AI App Builder AI Website Builder Coding Game Development

Pricing

Pricing Model

Paid

Starting Price

$20/Month

Key Features

GPT-5.2 Foundation: Built on the state-of-the-art GPT-5.2 architecture for superior reasoning and instruction following.
Repository-Level Context: Capable of understanding and editing code across massive projects without losing track of dependencies or variable definitions.
Agentic Workflow: Designed to execute multi-step tasks (e.g., "refactor this module and update all tests") rather than just writing single snippets.
No "Max" Tier: Unlike GPT-5.1, Caribou (GPT-5.2 Codex) may launch as a single, unified high-performance model.
Defensive Cybersecurity: Includes specialized training for identifying vulnerabilities and writing secure, defensive code.
IDE Integration: Optimized for low-latency performance within IDEs like VS Code and JetBrains via GitHub Copilot.

Pros

Massive improvement in handling "real world" messy codebases.
significantly reduced hallucination rate in complex logic.
Unified model simplifies the choice for developers (no confusion between "Turbo" or "Max").
Deep integration with the industry-standard GitHub ecosystem.

Cons

"Agentic" behaviors can sometimes be slower than simple autocomplete.
High cost for heavy API usage compared to "Mini" models.
Privacy concerns remain for enterprises uploading sensitive proprietary code.

Best for Professional software engineers, DevOps teams, and technical architects who need an AI partner capable of understanding complex systems and executing autonomous refactoring.

FAQs

What is “Caribou”?
Caribou is the internal codename for OpenAI’s upcoming GPT-5.2 Codex model. It was discovered in leaked GitHub logs before its official unveiling as the new engine for GitHub Copilot and the OpenAI API.
Is Caribou better than GPT-4o for coding?
Yes, benchmarks suggest that GPT-5.2 Codex (Caribou) may significantly outperforms GPT-4o and GPT-5.1 in “SWE-bench” (Software Engineering) tasks, particularly those involving multi-file edits and long-term context.
How do I access OpenAI Caribou?
You can access it via the OpenAI API (listed as gpt-5.2-codex) or by using GitHub Copilot, which is gradually rolling out the new model to subscribers.
Is it free?
It is expected to be a paid commercial model. API usage is billed per token (approx. $1.75/1M input tokens), and Copilot access requires a monthly subscription.