openclaw/docs/tools/grok-search.md

summary, read_when, title

summary	read_when	title
Grok web search via xAI web-grounded responses	You want to use Grok for web_search You need an XAI_API_KEY for web search	Grok Search

Grok Search

OpenClaw supports Grok as a web_search provider, using xAI web-grounded responses to produce AI-synthesized answers backed by live search results with citations.

The same XAI_API_KEY can also power the built-in x_search tool for X (formerly Twitter) post search. If you store the key under plugins.entries.xai.config.webSearch.apiKey, OpenClaw now reuses it as a fallback for the bundled xAI model provider too.

For post-level X metrics such as reposts, replies, bookmarks, or views, prefer x_search with the exact post URL or status ID instead of a broad search query.

Get an API key

Get an API key from [xAI](https://console.x.ai/). Set `XAI_API_KEY` in the Gateway environment, or configure via:

```bash
openclaw configure --section web
```

Config

{
  plugins: {
    entries: {
      xai: {
        config: {
          webSearch: {
            apiKey: "xai-...", // optional if XAI_API_KEY is set
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
  tools: {
    web: {
      search: {
        provider: "grok",
      },
    },
  },
}

Environment alternative: set XAI_API_KEY in the Gateway environment. For a gateway install, put it in ~/.openclaw/.env.

How it works

Grok uses xAI web-grounded responses to synthesize answers with inline citations, similar to Gemini's Google Search grounding approach.

Supported parameters

Grok search supports the standard query and count parameters. Provider-specific filters are not currently supported.

Related

• Web Search overview -- all providers and auto-detection
• x_search in Web Search -- first-class X search via xAI
• Gemini Search -- AI-synthesized answers via Google grounding