Set reasoning effort in Grok Build

/effort sets reasoning effort for the current model in the TUI. Official command list: Modes and Commands.

Change it in a session

1. Open or resume a Build session (grok, or grok -c).
2. Switch models first if you need a different one: /model (alias /m).
3. Run /effort and pick the level the model supports.
4. Keep working — later turns on that model use the new effort until you change it again.

Default effort for new sessions can also come from user config: [models] default_reasoning_effort in ~/.grok/config.toml (see settings reference). Per-model menus can be server-driven; use /effort when you need a one-session override.

API vs Build

Responses API effort knobs (reasoning.effort / reasoning_effort on chat models) are a different surface: Set reasoning effort on grok-4.6. This page is only the Build TUI /effort command.

Pitfalls

• Effort options depend on the active model. Switch with /model before you expect a level to appear.
• /effort does not change weekly usage pools by itself — see Understand Grok Build weekly usage limits.
• Install the CLI first: Install the Grok Build CLI.