Grok API

Grok (xAI) API Setup

Connect your xAI API key to use Grok models for content generation. Grok 4.6 is the current flagship — same xAI key you already use, no extra setup.

What is Grok?

Grok is developed by xAI. In Cuppa it is used for:

Long-running agent work — research, audits, multi-step briefs
Knowledge-heavy articles — pillar posts, technical explainers, long outlines
Compare Models — run Grok against GPT, Claude, and Gemini on the same keyword
Image generation — Grok Imagine (same key)

Available Models

Model	ID	Context	Best For	Notes
Grok 4.6	`grok-4.6`	500k	Flagship. Agents, long briefs, first drafts that hold a thread	Marked NEW in the model picker
Grok 4.5	`grok-4.5`	500k	Previous flagship	Same $2 /$ 6 pricing as 4.6
Grok 4.3	`grok-4.3`	1M	Large-context instruction following	Cheaper per token

Grok 4.5 and 4.3 stay in the picker. Switch back in one click if 4.6 is not the winner on your content.

List the live catalog with GET /v1/meta/models or MCP list_models.

Step 1: Create an xAI Account

Go to x.ai/api
Click API Platform (top right)
Sign up or log in

Step 2: Get Your API Key

In the xAI console, go to API Keys
Click Create API Key
Name it “Cuppa”
Copy the key

Your key looks like: xai-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Step 3: Add Key to Cuppa

Go to Team Settings → API Keys
Find the Grok section
Paste your API key
Click Save

If Grok is already connected, you do not need a new key for 4.6.

Using Grok in Cuppa

Once connected, Grok 4.6 appears in every text model selector (Articles, Agent Chat, Editor, Workbench, Compare Models, Content Planner, Social, Bulk, Programmatic):

Open any generation flow
Click the model selector
Choose Grok 4.6 (marked NEW)
Generate as usual

Via API / CLI / MCP, pass model: "grok-4.6".

Grok Imagine (images)

The same xAI API key unlocks Grok Imagine for image generation (grok-imagine-image-quality). It appears in every image model picker — Creative Studio, articles, social posts, Creative Lab, and the API.

Grok Imagine is strong at photorealistic output, text/logo rendering, and prompt adherence. List available image models with GET /v1/meta/image_models or MCP list_image_models.

When to Use Grok 4.6

Good for:

Agent Chat + Workbench — multi-step research, audits, briefs
Pillar posts and technical explainers — holds a thread across sections
Compare Models — Grok 4.6 vs GPT-5.6 Sol vs Claude on the same keyword
Bulk / planner runs — same rate as 4.5, so an upgrade at no extra cost if 4.5 was already your default

Consider other models for:

Cheapest bulk drafts — GPT-5 Mini or Claude Haiku
Maximum context — Grok 4.3 (1M) or GPT-5.6 / Claude 5 (1M+)

Cost

Prices are USD per 1M tokens (xAI, verified 2026-08-12):

Model	Input	Output
Grok 4.6	$2	$6
Grok 4.5	$2	$6
Grok 4.3	$1.25	$2.50

Typical article cost: $0.01–0.10 depending on length and research.

Troubleshooting

”Invalid API key”

Verify you copied the full key
Check the key exists in xAI console
Create a new key if needed

”Model not available”

Confirm the Grok key is saved in Team Settings → API Keys
Check xAI status for outages
Refresh the model list (GET /v1/meta/models)

“Rate limit exceeded”

xAI has usage limits on new accounts
Wait a few minutes and retry
Check your usage in xAI console

FAQ

Do I need X (Twitter) Premium for Grok API?

No. X Premium gives you access to Grok in the X app. The API is separate.

Do I need a new API key for Grok 4.6?

No. Same xAI key. Open any model selector and pick Grok 4.6.

Is Grok better than GPT or Claude?

Depends on the brief. Use Compare Models on a real keyword rather than guessing. Grok 4.6 is built for long-running agents and knowledge work; Claude still tends to win on some long-form voice; GPT is the default for Cuppa internals.

Can I use Grok for all my content?

Yes for generation. Keep OpenAI connected — Cuppa still uses it for some internal features (outlines, metadata).

OpenAI API Setup — Required for all users
Anthropic API Setup — Add Claude models
Image Generation — Grok Imagine

DeepSeek API (deprecated)Replicate API