Grok Build v0.2.98 Changelog

This update focuses on making Grok more reliable, predictable, and user-friendly. It is especially important for developers and power users who run Grok through their terminal (command line) and want a smoother workflow without unexpected crashes, duplicate windows, or confusing silent errors.

What's new

• Token Cost Tracking: When you type /context, you can now see the "token cost" (essentially how much data or processing power) your custom skills and MCP servers (tools that connect the AI to external data sources) are using.
• Message Queueing: If you type a message while the AI is still working, your message will wait in line. If you want to interrupt the AI and send your message right away, just press Enter twice.
• Better Terminal Setup Info: The /terminal-setup command now tells you exactly how many colors your terminal supports and lists the visual themes available to you.
• Preview Team Settings: Using the command grok setup --json lets you view your team's shared settings without actually installing them.
• Subagent Model Choice: When launching a "subagent" (a mini-AI helper programmed to do smaller tasks), you can now specify which AI model it should use right from the command line.
• Linux Middle-Click Paste: Linux users can now use the classic middle-click to paste text from their primary clipboard, with fewer errors.

Improvements

• Clearer Loading Messages: The loading animations are smarter. When the AI is waiting on a task to finish, it will actually say "Waiting on task output..." instead of just saying "Thinking."
• Better Help Menus: The "How-to Guides" menu now has a quick link to "Ask Grok," and the keyboard shortcuts menu now lists the shortcut for pasting images.
• Polished Look: The scrollbar is now actually visible in the dark "oscura-midnight" theme, and background status messages now properly end with a period.

Fixes

• No More Silent Blocks: If a security or content filter blocks the AI from answering, it will now explain *why* instead of just staying completely silent.
• Smart Tool Retries: If you deny the AI permission to use a tool, the system will tell the AI *why* you denied it, allowing the AI to try a different approach instead of just giving up.
• No More Terminal Freezes: Editing a message that is waiting in line (queued) will no longer freeze your terminal or double your text.
• Search Crash Fix: Web search and X (Twitter) search will no longer crash when you have both local and cloud search tools active at the same time.
• Network Database Fix: Fixed a crash (called a "bus error") that happened when Grok tried to save its SQLite database on a shared network drive.
• No Duplicate Windows: If you try to reopen a session that is already running, Grok will now just bring that existing window to the front instead of opening a duplicate one.
• Stricter Plan Mode: In "Plan Mode," the AI is now strictly blocked from editing files outside of your designated plan file, even if you have "always-approve" turned on.

Breaking changes

• Login Settings (Authentication): You must now explicitly choose your login method (either using an API key or OIDC) in your config.toml settings file. Grok will no longer automatically try the other method if your preferred one isn't pinned.