OpenAI Introduces Ultrafast in Codex, Claiming Up to 8× Astra Standard Speed
OpenAI says Ultrafast is its fastest way to build with Astra yet. In Codex, it runs up to 8× faster than Astra Standard and 4× faster than Astra Fast.
Full Report
OpenAI published an introduction to Ultrafast on September 29, 2026, describing it as its fastest way to build with Astra yet and saying it runs in Codex. The announcement presents the mode as a way to move from ideas to implementation more quickly.
OpenAI says Ultrafast runs up to 8× faster than Astra Standard and up to 4× faster than Astra Fast. Those are OpenAI’s stated speed comparisons; the announcement excerpt does not give testing conditions or a measurement method, so the figures should not be read as guaranteed differences across every task.
The update follows OpenAI’s broader DevDay announcement slate. The company’s DevDay recap covers more than 20 announcements, including Codex; Ultrafast makes one part of that developer-product story more concrete with relative speed claims against two Astra modes.
Why This Matters
The two comparisons give users a quick way to understand OpenAI’s claimed speed difference between Ultrafast and the Astra Standard and Astra Fast modes. Without disclosed testing conditions in the announcement excerpt, however, the figures do not establish a fixed advantage for every workflow.
Evidence
Start with the primary evidence, then review supporting sources and context.
Primary Evidence
1Build faster with Ultrafast
OpenAI
“Ultrafast is our fastest way to build with Astra yet: in Codex, it runs up to 8x faster than Astra Standard and 4x faster than Astra Fast. Bring your ideas to life as fast as you can type them.”
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