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The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

simonwillison.net

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Re: The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

#131

I actually bundle LibreOffice with my app too and the reason is reading files, especially old xls files. Since I'm bundling it I'm now using it for everything docs related but the specific reason is those old files. I couldn't find anything else that I could just drop it and feel confident it'll just read anything I give it.

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Re: The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

#132
post #97

The new app is an unbelievable mess. Settings are senselessly organized, too. The whole thing has this aesthetic slickness and then underneath it's like the people who make it have never even used it. It's not surprising that it's pulled in absolutely massive dependencies, although I'm not sure it's the wrong call on some operating systems. LibreOffice is pretty tried and true.

Almost like it's... vibe coded.

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Re: The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

#133
post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On a Windows installation I see this: PS C:\Users\user> ls C:\Users\user\.cache\codex-runtimes\codex-primary-runtime\dependencies\native\ Mode LastWriteTime Length Name ---- ------------- ------ ---- d----- 8/27/2026 10:09 AM git d----- 6/16/2026 9:18 PM jxrlib d----- 8/26/2026 7:37 PM libheif d----- 6/17/2026 5:32 AM poppler d----- 8/27/2026 10:09 AM powershell So doesn't seem bundled with all installs at least.

Is this perhaps because the aim is to read Office documents and there are (maybe, I don't know for sure) default components within Windows that can do that?

Codex always try Libreoffice first on my computer.

Re: The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

#136

The new app is an unbelievable mess. Settings are senselessly organized, too. The whole thing has this aesthetic slickness and then underneath it's like the people who make it have never even used it. It's not surprising that it's pulled in absolutely massive dependencies, although I'm not sure it's the wrong call on some operating systems. LibreOffice is pretty tried and true.

The thing that blows my mind about it is that they straight up copied Claude Code and tried to frame it as some sort of incredible accomplishment. There are no new ideas, no insightful UI/UX paradigms, no killer features. They say money can't buy taste. The ChatGPT/Codex app is proof that it cannot buy creativity either.

Re: The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

#138
post #118

Now someone please use ChatGPT/Codex or Claude Code to rewrite the entire LibreOffice source into a single Rust binary already! Just like Jarred Sumner did for Bun [1] or Carmine Paolino did for Fastpotify [2] - granted there are some rough edges for sure, but the slim diet trimmed down and performance gains were wrothy. [1] https://bun.com/blog/bun-in-rust [2] https://fastpotify.rocks/

> rewrite the entire LibreOffice source into a single Rust binary already!

Why?

Re: The ChatGPT/Codex app bundles a full copy of LibreOffice

#139

I actually bundle LibreOffice with my app too and the reason is reading files, especially old xls files. Since I'm bundling it I'm now using it for everything docs related but the specific reason is those old files. I couldn't find anything else that I could just drop it and feel confident it'll just read anything I give it.

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