Grok Code Fast 1: xAI's Latest Model Lands in Cline (Free for a Week)
It's time to pull back the curtain on the stealth model that we released last week. Say hello to Grok Code Fast – or as you've known it, Sonic.
xAI built grok-code-fast-1 from scratch specifically for agentic coding workflows like Cline. While other models feel sluggish during iterative development sessions, Grok Code Fast delivers responses so quickly that you'll find yourself working differently -- giving smaller, focused tasks and iterating rapidly instead of crafting massive prompts.
Built from the Ground Up for Agentic Development
This isn't just another model drop. xAI started with a brand-new architecture and carefully assembled a pre-training corpus rich with programming content. They collaborated directly with launch partners like Cline during development to ensure the model excels at the tools developers actually use -- grep, terminal commands, file editing, and the iterative loops that define modern development.
The result is a model that feels purpose-built for how you actually code with Cline. It understands complex codebases, maintains consistency across long development sessions, and responds fast enough that waiting for the model stops being a bottleneck in your workflow.
Blazing Fast Performance That Changes How You Work
Grok Code Fast delivers industry-leading speed -- often calling dozens of tools before you finish reading the first paragraph of its reasoning. With cache hit rates above 90% in typical Cline workflows, subsequent requests feel nearly instantaneous.
The model excels across the full development stack, particularly in TypeScript, Python, Java, Rust, C++, and Go. It handles everything from zero-to-one projects to surgical bug fixes with minimal oversight, all while maintaining the speed that lets you stay in flow state.
How to Use Grok Code Fast in Cline
Getting started is straightforward. If you've been using the Sonic stealth model, you're already familiar with its capabilities. For everyone else, here's how to access it:
- Open your Cline settings
- Navigate to the model selection
- Look for
grok-code-fast-1in your available models - Select it and start coding
The model works seamlessly with all of Cline's features – Plan/Act modes, MCP tools, and everything else you're already using. There's no special configuration needed; just select and go.
Economical and Accessible
When the free period ends, Grok Code Fast transitions to xAI's competitive pricing: $0.20 per million input tokens, $1.50 per million output tokens, and just $0.02 per million cached tokens. This pricing strikes a compelling balance between performance and cost, making high-speed agentic development accessible for everyday coding tasks.
Free Access During Launch Week
We're offering Grok Code Fast completely free during the launch period. This isn't a trial with hidden limitations – you get full access to the model's capabilities without usage caps or throttling.
Ready to try Grok Code Fast? Update Cline to the latest version and select grok-code-fast-1 from your model options. Then share your experiences with the community on Reddit or Discord – we're particularly interested in hearing how it performs on your specific use cases.
