Setup guide - Documented by Aider
Use Grok in Aider
Aider documents xAI directly: export XAI_API_KEY and run aider with an xai/<model> name. The documented examples are Grok 3; current ids use the same xai/ prefix.
Last verified 4 steps4 official sources
Steps
- Step 1.
Install aider:
Terminalpython -m pip install aider-install aider-install - Step 2.
Configure your API key:
Terminalexport XAI_API_KEY=<key> # Mac/Linux setx XAI_API_KEY <key> # Windows, restart shell after setx - Step 3.
List models available from xAI:
Terminalaider --list-models xai/ - Step 4.
Start aider in your project with a Grok model using the documented xai/ prefix plus a current xAI model id (combined with xAI's model list):
Terminalcd /to/your/project aider --model xai/grok-4.7
Caveats
- Aider's xAI page only shows Grok 3 examples (xai/grok-3-beta, xai/grok-3-mini-beta, etc.). grok-3 was retired by xAI on May 15, 2026 and now redirects to grok-4.3. The command aider --model xai/grok-4.7 combines aider's documented xai/ prefix with the current model id from docs.x.ai; check that aider --list-models xai/ shows it for your aider version.
- The --reasoning-effort example on aider's page targets Grok 3 Mini; grok-4.7 supports low, medium, high (default) and xhigh per xAI docs, but aider's handling for it is not documented.
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Related reading
- GPT-6 Sol vs Claude Opus 5.5 vs Grok 4.7: The September 2026 Price WarGPT-6 Sol vs Claude Opus 5.5 vs Grok 4.7 pricing: verified per-token rates, cost-per-task math and a decision guide for the September 2026 price war.
- Grok Bot's Core Primitive: Every Bot Gets a ComputerGrok Bot gives every Bot a persistent cloud computer with a browser and terminal. Why that one primitive explains routines, Bot teams, and always-on work.
- Grok Bot's Meta Controls: Oversight as a Product PrimitiveGrok Bot's meta controls make agent oversight a product primitive: approval gates, a chief-of-staff structure and escalation learning, not a settings page.
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- Grok Bot Routines: Automations Without Automation-BuildingGrok Bot routines let you demonstrate a job once, correct it in plain language and hand the Bot the schedule. How it works and how approval gates keep it safe.
- Grok 4.6: xAI's Agent-Focused Update Matches GPT-5.6 Sol at the Same $2/$6 PriceGrok 4.6 release guide: xAI's agent-focused update matches GPT-5.6 Sol on the AA index at the same $2/$6 pricing, and runs in Cursor and OpenCode.
FAQ
How do I use Grok in Aider?
Aider documents xAI directly: export XAI_API_KEY and run aider with an xai/<model> name. The documented examples are Grok 3; current ids use the same xai/ prefix.
Which Grok model ids work in Aider?
The official docs read for this guide list xai/grok-4.7, xai/grok-4.3 and xai/grok-build-0.1. Requests go to https://api.x.ai/v1.
Is this an official Grok and Aider setup?
Aider documents this setup in its own docs. It was last checked against 4 official pages on October 17, 2026.
Sources
Last verified against 4 official pages.
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