Grok Build
xAI's terminal-based AI coding agent with Plan Mode, subagents, and Imagine integration — edits code, runs commands, and generates images from your shell.
Overview
Grok Build is xAI's entry into the CLI coding agent space, launched in beta on May 25, 2026. It's a terminal-native tool that reads your codebase, edits files, runs shell commands, and handles multi-step software engineering tasks through natural language — directly competing with Claude Code, Cursor's terminal mode, and Aider.
The standout feature is its tight integration with xAI's broader ecosystem. Plan Mode lets you review and approve a step-by-step strategy before the agent touches any code. Subagents handle parallel workstreams within a single session. The Skills system provides reusable workflow templates, and Hooks let you wire custom automation to specific agent events. Most unusually for a coding CLI, it includes Imagine integration — you can generate images directly from the terminal, which is genuinely novel for design-adjacent development work.
The catch: it's currently beta-only, available to SuperGrok ($30/mo) or X Premium+ ($40/mo) subscribers. The underlying Grok Build 0.1 model is also accessible via API at roughly $1/M input and $2/M output tokens, but the CLI experience is what most developers will care about. As a day-one beta, expect rough edges — the agent ecosystem it's entering (Claude Code, Aider, Codex CLI) is mature and battle-tested, so Grok Build has real ground to make up on reliability and plugin support.
Key features
Terminal Agent
Full CLI coding agent that reads your project, edits files, and executes shell commands. Works in any terminal environment — local, SSH, or remote dev containers.
Plan Mode
Review and approve a step-by-step implementation plan before the agent makes changes. Gives you control over the agent's approach to complex tasks before any code is touched.
Imagine Integration
Generate images directly from the terminal using xAI's Imagine model. Useful for creating UI mockups, diagrams, or placeholder assets without leaving your development workflow.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| SuperGrok | $30/mo | Full Grok Build CLI access, included with SuperGrok subscription |
| X Premium+ | $40/mo | Full Grok Build CLI access, included with X Premium+ subscription |
| API | ~$1/M input, $2/M output | Grok Build 0.1 model via xAI API for custom integrations |
Full Grok Build CLI access, included with SuperGrok subscription
Full Grok Build CLI access, included with X Premium+ subscription
Grok Build 0.1 model via xAI API for custom integrations
Pros & cons
Pros
- ✓Plan Mode and subagents give strong control over complex multi-step coding tasks
- ✓Unique Imagine integration lets you generate images without leaving the terminal
- ✓Hooks and Skills system enables custom automation and reusable workflow templates
- ✓Competitive API pricing at ~$1/M input tokens if building custom tooling on the model
Cons
- ×Beta-only — expect bugs, missing features, and breaking changes as it matures
- ×No free tier; requires a $30-40/mo subscription just to access the CLI
- ×Brand new with no ecosystem of extensions, plugins, or community tooling yet
- ×Entering a crowded field where Claude Code and Aider have significant head starts
