Grok introduces terminal coding and enhanced image editing features

xAI has enhanced its Grok AI with new capabilities that include terminal access, a coding agent, and faster image editing within Paper’s infinite canvas environment. These updates position Grok as a more interactive tool capable of direct action on computer systems.

Grok Build coding agent launch

On May 14, xAI released Grok Build, a terminal-based coding agent available for $99 per month during an introductory six-month period for SuperGrok Heavy subscribers. After this period, the price will increase to $300 per month. Grok Build can generate scripts, save them appropriately, and execute them without requiring users to interact with a separate integrated development environment (IDE). This approach aligns with similar offerings like Anthropic's Claude Code, marking a shift in the industry from IDE plugins toward standalone command-line interface agents.

Expanded system access and Skills integration

Alongside Grok Build, xAI introduced Grok Computer, which grants Grok direct access to a machine’s file system and command line, allowing it to perform tasks based on instructions rather than merely describing procedures. Additionally, xAI launched Skills, now accessible on grok.com, iOS, and Android platforms, further extending Grok’s functionality.

Improvements in image editing with Grok Imagine

Within the Paper platform, Grok Imagine has been integrated into its infinite canvas workspace, enabling rapid and iterative image editing. Paper, founded in 2025 by Stephen Haney and backed by $4.2 million in seed funding led by Accel, facilitates collaboration between users and AI agents. Grok Imagine excels at preserving details during sequential edits, addressing a common limitation in earlier AI image tools that often rewrote entire compositions when minor adjustments were made. This feature supports designers conducting quick experimental edits by maintaining unchanged elements while modifying only the targeted parts.

Pricing and market positioning

Grok Build’s introductory price of $99 is competitive but not inexpensive, with xAI yet to specify the exact duration of the promotional period beyond six months. In comparison, Claude Code and GitHub Copilot maintain stronger enterprise adoption in the US and UK, supported by deeper integrations and established trust. Grok’s advantage lies in its integration within the X ecosystem and potentially lower entry cost relative to the $300 full subscription rate. xAI aims for Grok to become central to users’ workflows rather than a peripheral tool, though it remains to be seen if the new terminal access and design features will attract developers away from existing platforms in the coming months.