Feature request: a true solo/indie Codex plan for ChatGPT Plus + clear live usage visibility in VS Code

[djurko-vic]

Hi, I’m sharing this as a feature request from the perspective of a solo/indie developer using Codex in VS Code.

My main request is simple: please offer a true solo/indie plan that combines ChatGPT Plus with significantly more usable Codex access, so one person can work naturally on a real project without constantly thinking about credits, top-ups, and limits.

What I want is not a team plan, not a 5-user setup, and not an enterprise-style package. I want a fair individual option that lets one person work seriously on a single project for long sessions, including up to 12 hours in a day when needed, without suddenly hitting a wall.

Right now, there is no good middle ground for an individual developer. ChatGPT Plus feels simple: I pay, I use it, and I can work naturally. Codex does not feel like that. With Codex, I quickly end up thinking about credits, unclear consumption, and extra purchases instead of focusing on the project itself.

The current credit model is too unclear in practice. Buying something like $40 for 1,000 credits does not tell me what I am actually getting in practical terms. I still cannot tell how long that will last on my real project, how many coding hours it represents, or whether it is enough for one session, several days, or more. It is very hard to understand the value before spending money.

What I would like:

• keep ChatGPT Plus as the base
• offer a real solo/indie Codex add-on or bundle
• make it strong enough for uninterrupted work on one project
• reduce or remove the need to constantly buy extra credits for normal serious use
• make pricing and usage much easier to understand

The VS Code extension should also show much clearer live usage information:

• remaining included usage or balance
• live session usage
• cost of the last task
• estimated cost before expensive actions
• a practical estimate of how long the current balance may last on the actual project

From a user perspective, especially in the EU, it should be much clearer what is included, what is being consumed, and how quickly paid usage is being used up.

Component:
IDE extension / VS Code

Current setup:
ChatGPT Plus user