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Grok Build

xAI's terminal coding agent with parallel subagents and worktree-aware automation

Grok Build is xAI’s terminal-first coding agent for planning, editing, testing, and reviewing code from a local CLI. It exposes subagent controls, worktree mode, headless JSON output, best-of-N parallel attempts, sandbox profiles, and cross-session Memory (/memory, /dream) for durable project conventions and facts. It fits developers comparing Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI for local agentic workflows with deeper parallel execution.

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About Grok Build

Grok Build is xAI's CLI coding agent for developers who want agentic software work to happen directly in the terminal rather than inside a chat window. It opens as a local TUI, can run headless with --single, and exposes controls for plan mode, permission modes, model effort, sandbox profiles, and JSON output. In aicoolies taxonomy it belongs in AI CLI Agents, Terminal & CLI Tools, and AI Coding Assistants because the product is primarily a command-line coding workflow.

On 16 September 2026, xAI shipped Memory in Grok Build: after completed turns, the agent can capture durable conventions, decisions, and project facts as markdown topics (workspace and global scopes), then read them back in later sessions. Browse with /memory (alias /mem), consolidate with /dream (also periodic in the background), and use /remember and /flush when you want explicit save or write-through. Current-conversation instructions override stored notes. Memory applies to new sessions (/new or a fresh grok). Sources: https://x.ai/news/grok-build-memory · https://docs.x.ai/build/modes-and-commands

The differentiator is parallel execution. The installed CLI exposes --agents for subagent definitions, --best-of-n for headless parallel attempts, --worktree for isolated Git worktree sessions, and --no-subagents when you want a single-agent path, alongside cross-session Memory. Those capabilities make Grok Build especially relevant for teams exploring subagent swarms, local repo automation, and worktree-isolated task fanout alongside Claude Code, Codex, Goose, Amp, and Gemini CLI.

Since the May Score window, vendor changelog notes also cover parallel-subagent defaults, worktree/headless polish, PostToolUse feedback, and usage visibility — see https://x.ai/build/changelog.

Community discussion has raised questions about what leaves the machine during Build sessions (for example HN wire-level threads). Treat as open buyer context; privacy Score remains 72 from the May review.

Access is typically SuperGrok or X Premium+ for interactive use, with metered xAI API for headless paths. The official installer is at https://x.ai/cli/install.sh. Confirm current access tier, documentation, and model availability on vendor pages before purchase decisions.

Pricing & Platform Specs

Pricing Summary

Commercial AI coding agent by xAI. Interactive terminal CLI access is included with SuperGrok ($30/mo) or X Premium+ ($40/mo) subscriptions. Headless and programmatic access is available via metered pay-as-you-go xAI API token billing.

full pricing breakdown →

Supported Platforms

CLI for macOS, Linux, and Windows via bash/WSL-style install; supports interactive TUI and headless single-prompt runs.

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Side-by-Side Comparisons

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Grok Build
vs
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Grok CLI

Grok Build vs Grok CLI — Official xAI Agent or Community Grok Terminal?

Grok Build and Grok CLI both put Grok models in a terminal workflow, but they are not the same product. Grok Build is xAI’s official terminal-first coding agent — SuperGrok / X Premium+ interactive access or metered xAI API headless — with subagents, worktrees, and Memory (vendor 16 September 2026: durable markdown notes with /memory and /dream). Grok CLI is a community MIT-licensed command-line agent for Grok API keys: lightweight, inspectable, and scriptable without xAI’s subscriber-linked Build surface. Use Grok Build when you want official xAI support and the Build agent desk. Use Grok CLI when you want an open-source Grok API terminal you can fork and script. Existing Score references both land at overall 82 (Build Score date 2026-05-28; CLI Score date 2026-07-02). Choose on official vs community fit.

Grok BuildGrok CLI
goose ai
Goose
vs
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Grok Build

Goose vs Grok Build — Open-Source MCP Agent or xAI Terminal CLI?

Goose and Grok Build both compete as terminal-oriented coding agents, but they optimize different constraints. Goose is Block’s Apache-2.0, model-agnostic agent with MCP-first extensibility for local CLI and Desktop workflows on bring-your-own-key providers. Grok Build is xAI’s commercial terminal-first agent with subagents, worktree-aware automation, headless runs, and cross-session Memory. Use Goose when you want an open, extensible local agent. Use Grok Build when you want an xAI-native shell agent. Existing aicoolies Score references: Goose overall 84, privacy 95 (Score date 2026-03-29); Grok Build overall 82, speed 84 (Score date 2026-05-28). Choose on licensing and current surfaces first; the scoreboard is secondary review evidence with those dates.

GooseGrok Build
gemini cli
Gemini CLI
vs
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Grok Build

Gemini CLI vs Grok Build — Google Terminal Agent or xAI Shell Agent?

Gemini CLI and Grok Build both live on the AI CLI / terminal-agent shelf, but the Google path changed in 2026. Gemini CLI is Google’s open-source terminal agent for Gemini models (tools, Search grounding, MCP). As of 18 June 2026, Gemini CLI stopped serving requests for free-tier and Google AI Pro/Ultra individual accounts — those workflows move to Antigravity CLI (agy); Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise and paid API-key paths remain supported. Grok Build is xAI’s terminal-first coding agent with subagents, worktrees, headless runs, and cross-session Memory. Use Gemini CLI when you still have a supported Google org or API-key path. Use Antigravity CLI when you are an individual Google AI user migrating off Gemini CLI (see /tools/google-antigravity and /comparisons/google-antigravity-vs-devin). Use Grok Build when you want an xAI-native shell agent. Existing Score references: Gemini CLI Score date 2026-03-25 (overall 84); Grok Build Score date 2026-05-28 (overall 82). Treat those as review evidence from those dates — the June access shift is later than Gemini’s Score date.

Gemini CLIGrok Build
Amp logo
Amp
vs
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Grok Build

Amp vs Grok Build — Code-Intelligence CLI or xAI Terminal Agent?

Amp and Grok Build both compete as terminal-native coding agents, but they optimize different desks. Amp is Sourcegraph’s agentic coding tool for local and remote threads — codebase-aware edits plus Orbs remote machines and Dial mode switching. Grok Build is xAI’s terminal-first coding agent with TUI/CLI controls, subagents, worktrees, headless runs, and cross-session Memory. Use Amp when you want Sourcegraph-line code intelligence plus Orbs/Dial workflows. Use Grok Build when you want an xAI-native shell agent. Existing aicoolies Scores: Amp overall 85, speed 87, privacy 83, developer experience 84 (Score date 2026-03-25); Grok Build overall 82, speed 84, privacy 72, developer experience 80 (Score date 2026-05-28). Choose on product shape and ecosystem fit first; the scoreboard is secondary review evidence with those dates.

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View 4 more comparisons

Community experience

Sources & verification

Sources checked
Content verified

Verification dates are editorial checks. Routine CMS saves and automatic updatedAt timestamps do not advance them.

FAQ

What is Grok Build?

Grok Build is xAI’s terminal-first coding agent for planning, editing, testing, and reviewing code from a local CLI. It exposes subagent controls, worktree mode, headless JSON output, best-of-N parallel attempts, sandbox profiles, and cross-session Memory (/memory, /dream) for durable project conventions and facts. It fits developers comparing Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI for local agentic workflows with deeper parallel execution.

Is Grok Build free?

No — Grok Build is a paid tool. Commercial AI coding agent by xAI. Interactive terminal CLI access is included with SuperGrok ($30/mo) or X Premium+ ($40/mo) subscriptions. Headless and programmatic access is available via metered pay-as-you-go xAI API token billing.

Is Grok Build still maintained?

Yes — Grok Build is active. Its listing was last verified on August 26, 2026.

What are the best Grok Build alternatives?

The first editor-selected Grok Build alternatives are Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, and more.

How does Grok Build score in our review?

The published editorial review lists Grok Build at 82/100 overall across speed, privacy, and developer experience. Check the review's evidence status and test metadata for its verification level.