Grok build: Detailed Introduction

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Grok build: Detailed Introduction

Grok’s terminal agent for project files, commands, web search, and continuing tasks.

• Audience: People who want interactive terminal work or scripted, CI, and editor integration.
• Cost: Apache-2.0 source code; model and account access follow the service’s billing rules.

Table of Contents

Getting started

1. What it is and who it is for
2. Access and setup: your first session

Usage and configuration

3. A concrete task and how to check it
4. Costs: software, models, and execution
5. Configuration and extensions

Limits and references

6. Permissions, data, and limitations
7. Frequently asked questions
8. Official references

Use the contents to jump to each section. If an in-page link does not respond, open it in a new tab.

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What it is and who it is for

In one sentence: Grok’s terminal agent for project files, commands, web search, and continuing tasks.

Who it suits: People who want interactive terminal work or scripted, CI, and editor integration.

What you can do:

• Understand and modify a repository.
• Run checks and iterate on results.
• Integrate through headless mode or ACP.

Where to start: Use the release installer from the CLI page on macOS, Linux, or Windows.

Cost: Apache-2.0 source code; model and account access follow the service’s billing rules.

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Access and setup: your first session

Use the release installer from the CLI page on macOS, Linux, or Windows.

curl -fsSL https://x.ai/cli/install.sh | bash
grok --version

First launch opens browser authentication. The source-build artifact xai-grok-pager differs from the installed command name grok.

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A concrete task and how to check it

Start with read-only exploration in a test repository.

Example:

Locate configuration loading and explain how defaults merge. Wait before editing; then add only the agreed error handling and run the relevant test.

Check commands, diffs, and failed checks. Require intermediate deliverables for long tasks.

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Costs: software, models, and execution

The source license and Grok model access are separate. Available models, allowances, and excess usage depend on your account and official documentation.

Building the source does not remove inference costs. Bound task counts and input scope in CI.

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Configuration and extensions

Choose interactive TUI, headless scripting/CI, or ACP editor embedding. MCP, skills, plugins, and hooks extend behavior.

Use the current user guide rather than assuming another agent’s flags apply.

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Permissions, data, and limitations

Inspect sandbox, workspace, and approval settings before allowing shell and file changes. Retrieved content is not user authorization.

Source builds require Rust, DotSlash, and build tools. Windows source builds are best-effort in the repository; release binaries are the simpler starting point.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need Rust? Not for a release binary.

Can I script it? Headless mode is supported; consult current flags.

Are external PRs accepted? The repository currently says external code contributions are not accepted; read its contribution policy before preparing one.

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Official references

• CLI page
• Documentation
• Source and installation
• License