Deploy a Codex App with Hostman App Platform

You built something in Codex. Now let's get it live.

This guide covers the full path from generated code to a public URL: pushing your project to GitHub, connecting it to Hostman App Platform, and deploying. We'll also set up the GitHub MCP so Codex can create repos and push code on your behalf—no manual git required.

Before You Begin

You will need: 

• A project built in Codex
• A Hostman account

Step 1. Create a GitHub Account

You'll need a GitHub account to host your code and connect it to the platform.

1. Go to github.com and click Sign up.
2. Register with Google, Apple, or an email address.
3. Once you're in, you'll land on your dashboard.

Step 2. Generate a GitHub Access Token

Codex needs a token to interact with your GitHub account—creating repos, pushing files, that sort of thing.

1. Click your profile picture (top right) → Settings.
2. Scroll down in the left sidebar → Developer settings → Personal access tokens → Tokens (classic).
3. Click Generate new token → Generate new token (classic).

GitHub may ask for your password at this point—that's expected.

Fill in the token details:

Select scopes:

• repo: full repository access (create, edit, push)
• admin:org: only needed if you're working with org repos

That's enough for everything in this guide. Don't select all scopes—there's no need to grant more access than necessary.

4. Click Generate token.
5. Copy the token now—you won't be able to see it again.

Treat this token like a password. If it's ever exposed, revoke it at github.com/settings/tokens and generate a new one.

Step 3. Connect GitHub to Codex via MCP

MCP lets Codex act on your GitHub account directly from the chat interface. Here's how to wire it up.

In Codex:

1. Open Settings → MCP Servers → Add Server.
2. Fill in the connection details:

3. Save and fully restart Codex.

Set the environment variable:

Now expose your token to the system. Pick the option that fits:

macOS

Open Terminal and run:

For the current session only:

launchctl setenv GITHUB_TOKEN 'your-token-here'

To make it permanent across restarts:

echo 'export GITHUB_TOKEN="your-token-here"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc

Replace your-token-here with the token you generated in Step 2.

Windows

Open PowerShell and run:

For the current session only:

set GITHUB_TOKEN=your-token-here

To make it permanent:

setx GITHUB_TOKEN "your-token-here"

Replace your-token-here with the token you generated in Step 2.

After running the command, restart Codex so it picks up the variable.

Verify it's working:

In the Codex chat, ask:

What MCP tools do you have available for GitHub? List all of them.

If you get a list of tools back—you're good to go.

Something not working? Ask Codex to check your config file:

• macOS: ~/.codex/config.toml
• Windows: C:\Users\<your-username>\.codex\config.toml

Step 4. Push Your Project to GitHub

With MCP connected, you can create a repo and push your code straight from the chat.

Create the repository:

In your Codex project chat, type: 

Create a new public GitHub repository called my-app

Codex will ask for permission to run the action—confirm it. You can verify the repo was created at github.com.

Push your code:

Push the project from the current directory to that repository using the GitHub MCP.

Heads up: Explicitly mention the GitHub MCP—otherwise Codex may try to use local git, which can fail if git isn't installed or configured on your machine.

Confirm the action when prompted. When it's done, open the repo on GitHub and confirm your files are there.

Step 5. Deploy on Hostman App Platform

Now let's get your app running.

1. Go to the Hostman dashboard → App Platform → Create.
2. Choose your app type: Select Frontend, Backend, or Docker—and pick the framework your app uses. Not sure? Ask Codex: What framework is this app built with?
3. Connect your repository.

Option A: Connect your GitHub account (recommended)

Gives you access to all your repos and enables auto-deploy—your app will redeploy automatically whenever you push changes.

1. Click the GitHub icon on the Repository step.
2. Sign in and authorize access.
3. Select your repo from the list.

If the repo doesn't appear, click Add Account, re-authorize, and try again.

Option B: Connect via URL

Good if you'd rather not grant full account access, or if your code is on a different Git host.

1. Click Connect the repository via URL.
2. Paste the repo URL.
3. For private repos, provide a username and token.

Note: auto-deploy isn't available with this method. You'll need to trigger deploys manually after each push.

Finish the setup:

• Select the commit to deploy
• Enable auto-deploy if you want (Option A only)
• Choose a deployment region
• Configure your App Settings. Consult Codex if you're unsure what to enter. Platform-specific docs: Frontend · Backend · Dockerfile · Docker Compose

Click Order and wait for the deploy to finish.

You're Live!

Once deployment completes, go to Dashboard → look for the Domain field. That's your app's public URL.

Want a custom domain? Head to Settings to configure it.

Once MCP is set up, pushing updates is just a chat message away. Whenever you make changes to your project, just tell Codex to push them and Hostman will pick up the new commit and redeploy automatically.