How to Use Grok: A Beginner's Guide to xAI's AI Assistant

The short version

Grok is xAI’s AI assistant, and it can see what’s happening on X and the web right now. That’s the main thing that sets it apart. Use it like any good assistant: give it a clear task and the background, then improve the answer with follow-up messages.

Step by step

1. Pick where to use it

You have three doors to the same assistant:

• grok.com in a web browser. xAI recommends a standard Chrome or Chromium browser.
• The Grok app for iPhone or Android.
• The Grok tab inside X, if you already use X.

xAI says one sign-in keeps your conversations, settings and subscription in sync across grok.com and the apps.

2. Ask clearly

Type your request and press Enter. Include the task, the background and the format you want:

I run a small bakery. Write three short Instagram captions for our new sourdough,
friendly and under 25 words each, with no hashtags.

3. Refine it

Keep going in the same chat: “Make it shorter”, “Give me two more”, “Now in Spanish”. Grok remembers everything earlier in the conversation.

4. Ask about something current

This is where Grok is different. Its home page says it gives “real-time answers from the web and X”. Ask what people are saying about a topic today, and ask it to show the posts or pages it used. See get real-time news with Grok.

5. Give it your files

Press the + icon next to the message box to attach PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, images, audio or video. See upload files to Grok.

6. Make an image or talk to it

Grok Imagine creates and edits images and turns them into short videos. Voice mode lets you talk hands-free. Both count toward your usage.

Prompts to copy

Get a plain explanation:

Explain [topic] to me like I'm smart but new to it. Use one everyday example and keep it under 200 words.

Catch up on news:

What are people on X saying about [topic] in the last 24 hours? Give me the main points,
both sides if there are two, and link the posts you used.

Decide something:

I'm choosing between [option A] and [option B] for [purpose]. Ask me three questions first,
then give me a recommendation with the main reason.

Example

You ask: “A big storm is forecast for Houston this weekend. What’s the latest, and what should a small restaurant owner do to prepare?”

A good result: a short summary of recent posts and news pages with links, followed by a practical checklist (stock, staff schedule, a sign for the door, a post for customers). You then open the links and check the official forecast yourself.

Mistakes to avoid

• Treating X posts as facts. Posts can be early, wrong or jokes. Ask for sources and open them. See fact-check Grok.
• One-line prompts. “Write a post” gets a generic post. Say who it’s for and what you want.
• Pasting private details. Check your data settings first: keep your data private in Grok.
• Using a different login on each device. Your subscription is tied to the account you bought it with.

Good to know

Grok is free to start, with limited daily use. Paid plans share one weekly usage pool across chat, Imagine and voice, and xAI says that pool also covers the Grok tab on X. Menus change often; xAI’s Grok FAQ at docs.x.ai is the place to check.

Related: write better Grok prompts and use Grok on X.