# OpenAI sells a $230 keypad to run AI agents. I built one for $28 on Linux.

DevFeed: [OpenAI sells a $230 keypad to run AI agents. I built one for $28 on Linux.](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/openai-sells-a-230-keypad-to-run-ai-agents-i-built-one-for-28-on-linux-25179.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.ivanmorgillo.com/2026/07/29/openai-codex-micro-28-dollar-linux-macropad/>)

Author: Ivan Morgillo

Published: 2026-07-29T10:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Ivan Morgillo](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ivan-morgillo.md>)

Topics: [codex](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/codex.md>), [AI-assisted coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai-assisted-coding.md>), [OpenAI](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/openai.md>), [Linux](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux.md>), [asr](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/asr.md>), [Nemotron](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/nemotron.md>)

Tags: [ai-coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-coding.md>), [ai-coding-agents](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-coding-agents.md>), [asr](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/asr.md>), [codex](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/codex.md>), [gpu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gpu.md>), [hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hardware.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [nemotron](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/nemotron.md>), [openai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/openai.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains how the author recreated the core workflow of OpenAI's Codex Micro for $28 on Linux using a low-cost macropad. The setup supports voice dictation through a local speech-to-text server and one-press commands for interacting with coding agents.

## Source excerpt

OpenAI's first hardware is a $230 keypad for driving AI coding agents. I rebuilt the part that matters -- voice dictation and one-press agent commands -- for $28, on Linux, with a cheap Chinese macropad.