Skip to main content

​
Code Execution

code_execution runs sandboxed remote Python analysis on xAI’s Responses API. This is different from local exec:
  • exec runs shell commands on your machine or node
  • code_execution runs Python in xAI’s remote sandbox
Use code_execution for:
  • calculations
  • tabulation
  • quick statistics
  • chart-style analysis
  • analyzing data returned by x_search or web_search
Do not use it when you need local files, your shell, your repo, or paired devices. Use exec for that.

​
Setup

You need an xAI API key. Any of these work:
  • XAI_API_KEY
  • plugins.entries.xai.config.webSearch.apiKey
Example: 
{
  plugins: {
    entries: {
      xai: {
        config: {
          webSearch: {
            apiKey: "xai-...",
          },
          codeExecution: {
            enabled: true,
            model: "grok-4-1-fast",
            maxTurns: 2,
            timeoutSeconds: 30,
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
}

​
How To Use It

Ask naturally and make the analysis intent explicit: 
Use code_execution to calculate the 7-day moving average for these numbers: ...

Use x_search to find posts mentioning OpenClaw this week, then use code_execution to count them by day.

Use web_search to gather the latest AI benchmark numbers, then use code_execution to compare percent changes.
The tool takes a single task parameter internally, so the agent should send the full analysis request and any inline data in one prompt.

​
Limits

  • This is remote xAI execution, not local process execution.
  • It should be treated as ephemeral analysis, not a persistent notebook.
  • Do not assume access to local files or your workspace.
  • For fresh X data, use x_search first.

​
See Also