How to Use Grok 4.5 in VS Code

Yes, you can run Grok 4.5 inside VS Code today. Grok 4.5 is the default model in Grok Build, xAI’s coding agent, and the free Grok Build for VS Code (Community) extension puts that agent in a sidebar with diff previews, permission cards, and session history. Setup takes about five minutes.

Three ways to run Grok in VS Code

Last verified: July 13, 2026 (extension v1.5.10, Grok 4.5 default per xAI’s July 8 announcement).

A note on “official”: xAI does not publish a first-party standalone VS Code extension. It does officially support using Grok through third-party integrations, including Kilo Code. The Community extension runs the official Grok Build CLI underneath through the Agent Client Protocol, so the agent, models, and memory are xAI’s. The interface is the open-source part.

The rest of this guide uses the extension route. I built it, it's MIT-licensed, and it has 18,000+ installs across the VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX. The full feature breakdown lives on its page: Grok Build for VS Code (Community). And if you're deciding between the GUI options first: Does Grok Build have a GUI?

Setup, step by step

1. Install the extension. Open Extensions (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+X), search “Grok Build for VS Code (Community)”, install. Works in VS Code 1.106+ and Cursor 3.x.

2. Open the sidebar with Ctrl/Cmd+;.

3. Run the setup wizard. It installs the grok CLI if it’s missing and walks you through sign-in.

4. Sign in with a SuperGrok or X Premium+ subscription, or paste an xAI API key. The free Grok tier does not include the coding agent.

5. Say something. Attach the active file with Alt+G, or drag files in as context chips.

Install: VS Code Marketplace · Open VSX Registry · Source: GitHub

Windows runs natively, no WSL required. macOS and Linux likewise.

Grok Build with Grok 4.5 in Cursor

Grok Build for VS Code (Community) works in Cursor, too.
The same installation procedure:

You’re already on Grok 4.5

Since July 8, 2026, Grok 4.5 is the default Grok Build model, so a fresh install starts on it (outside the EU, where xAI slated availability for mid-July). To confirm or switch models: open the gear menu in the sidebar and check the model picker. You can switch models live, mid-session. Reasoning effort (none to xhigh) is set in the same menu.

API-key users also see the wider grok-4.x family and grok-imagine in the picker.

What to expect from Grok 4.5 as a coding agent

xAI’s numbers: 80 tokens per second, $2 per million input tokens and $6 per million output on the API, and roughly twice the token efficiency of comparable models. I’ve been testing it since launch day. It’s a strong agentic coder, and the extension shows you every proposed edit as a native diff before it touches your files, which is where an agent this fast earns or loses trust.

One cost note from my testing: a cheap rate card doesn’t automatically mean a cheap bill. Long agentic sessions re-read a lot of context. Watch the context-token donut in the sidebar and use /compact when a session gets heavy.

If something doesn’t work

• “Model not available” or sign-in loops in the EU: Grok 4.5 wasn’t available in the EU at launch (xAI said mid-July). Check the current status for your region.

• CLI not found: the wizard installs it, but if you manage your own binary, point grok.cliPath at it in Settings.

• No agent on the free tier: the CLI agent requires SuperGrok, X Premium+, or an API key.

• Old VS Code: the extension needs 1.106 or newer.

FAQ

Can I use Grok 4.5 in Visual Studio Code? Yes. Install the Grok Build for VS Code (Community) extension, sign in with SuperGrok, X Premium+, or an xAI API key, and you’re on Grok 4.5 by default.

Is there an official xAI extension for VS Code? No first-party standalone extension exists. xAI officially supports third-party routes (like Kilo Code), and the Community extension drives the official CLI through ACP.

Does this work in Cursor? Yes, Cursor 3.x is supported. Cursor also ships Grok 4.5 natively on all plans. The extension gives you the Grok Build agent workflow (diffs, permissions, sessions) rather than Cursor’s own.

Do I need SuperGrok? You need SuperGrok, X Premium+, or an xAI API key. The extension itself is free and open source (MIT).

How do I switch back to another model? Gear menu, model picker, click. Switching is live and per-session.

Does it support MCP servers? Yes. Whatever MCP servers your Grok CLI is configured with, the extension picks up automatically.

How do I install Grok 4.5? Grok 4.5 isn’t a separate install. It’s a model, and it’s the default in Grok Build. Install the Grok Build CLI or the extension above, sign in with a Grok subscription or API key, and you’re running Grok 4.5.

Can I use Grok 4.5 in other IDEs? This extension covers VS Code and Cursor. JetBrains IDEs ship Grok model support in their AI assistant, and xAI documents third-party routes like Kilo Code. For the full Grok Build agent workflow in your IDE (diffs, permissions, sessions), VS Code and Cursor are the supported editors.