Four visual outcomes · one explicit mode
Codex backgrounds: image, video, water ripple and directional WebP
Compare CC Theme media, ripple and directional background modes, their local assets, limits, Reduced Motion behavior and verified targets.
Reviewed
Static image background
Best for quiet, low-power personalization and the most predictable fallback. Choose a local PNG, JPEG or WebP, position it in Studio and check text readability across task, terminal, diff and settings previews.
- Local image limit: 16 MiB
- No remote URL
- Used as the static fallback for ripple and video where configured
MP4 video background
Best for a short, subtle ambient loop. Current verified Codex and WorkBuddy macOS targets accept MP4 up to 256 MiB, but a smaller, lower-bitrate loop reduces startup, decoding and battery cost.
- Video is optional and target-specific
- Do not combine video with ripple or directional mode
- Keep a readable scrim and a still fallback
Water-ripple background
Best for one image that should respond briefly to pointer input. The effect wakes on interaction and stops after ripple energy decays instead of consuming continuous rendering time.
- Requires one local background image
- Allowlisted intensity, radius, quality and scrim controls
- Reduced Motion disables the effect and keeps the image static
Directional WebP atlas
Best for artwork prepared in multiple viewing directions. Upload one finished static WebP atlas; Studio selects a frame from pointer direction using the declared grid, origin and first direction.
- 8, 16 or 32 frames
- Columns × rows must equal frame count and divide evenly
- Maximum 32 MiB, 32 megapixels and 16,384 pixels per side
- Reduced Motion pins the configured idle frame; CC Theme does not auto-generate artwork
Codex background questions
Which background mode should I choose?
Choose image for simplicity, MP4 for a subtle loop, ripple for finite interaction on one image, or directional when you already have a finished multi-frame WebP atlas.
Can I combine ripple and video?
No. Media, ripple and directional are mutually exclusive render modes so export and adapters have one authoritative behavior.
Will moving backgrounds affect battery life?
They can. Video decoding and interactive rendering cost more than a static image. Use short compressed media, a reasonable preview quality and Reduced Motion fallbacks.
Does CC Theme generate 16 or 32 directional images?
No. You must provide the finished static WebP atlas; the editor validates and previews it.
Do the modes work in WorkBuddy?
Yes on the verified WorkBuddy 5.2.6 macOS adapter. Check the compatibility matrix again after any client update.