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code_execution runs sandboxed remote Python analysis on xAI’s Responses API. It is registered by the bundled xai plugin (under the tools contract) and dispatches to the same https://api.x.ai/v1/responses endpoint used by x_search.
PropertyValue
Tool namecode_execution
Provider pluginxai (bundled, enabledByDefault: true)
AuthxAI auth profile, XAI_API_KEY, or plugins.entries.xai.config.webSearch.apiKey
Default modelgrok-4-1-fast
Default timeout30 seconds
Default maxTurnsunset (xAI applies its own internal limit)
This is different from local exec:
  • exec runs shell commands on your machine or paired 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

1

Provide xAI credentials

Sign in with Grok OAuth using an eligible SuperGrok or X Premium subscription, use the remote-friendly device-code flow, or store an API key. OAuth works for code_execution and x_search; XAI_API_KEY or plugin web-search config can also power Grok web_search.
openclaw models auth login --provider xai --method oauth
openclaw models auth login --provider xai --device-code
During a fresh install, the same auth choices are available inside onboarding:
openclaw onboard --install-daemon
openclaw onboard --install-daemon --auth-choice xai-device-code
Or use an API key:
openclaw models auth login --provider xai --method api-key
export XAI_API_KEY=xai-...
Or via config:
{
  plugins: {
    entries: {
      xai: {
        config: {
          webSearch: {
            apiKey: "xai-...",
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
2

Enable and tune code_execution

code_execution is available when xAI credentials are available. Set plugins.entries.xai.config.codeExecution.enabled to false to disable it, or use the same block to tune the model and timeout.
{
  plugins: {
    entries: {
      xai: {
        config: {
          codeExecution: {
            enabled: true,
            model: "grok-4-1-fast", // override the default xAI code-execution model
            maxTurns: 2,            // optional cap on internal tool turns
            timeoutSeconds: 30,     // request timeout (default: 30)
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
3

Restart the Gateway

openclaw gateway restart
code_execution shows up in the agent’s tool list once the xAI plugin re-registers with enabled: true.

​
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.

​
Errors

When the tool runs without auth, it returns a structured missing_xai_api_key error pointing at the auth-profile, env var, and config options. The error is JSON, not a thrown exception, so the agent can self-correct: 
{
  "error": "missing_xai_api_key",
  "message": "code_execution needs xAI credentials. Run `openclaw onboard --auth-choice xai-oauth` to sign in with Grok, run `openclaw onboard --auth-choice xai-api-key`, set `XAI_API_KEY` in the Gateway environment, or configure `plugins.entries.xai.config.webSearch.apiKey`.",
  "docs": "https://docs.openclaw.ai/tools/code-execution"
}

​
Limits

  • This is remote xAI execution, not local process execution.
  • Treat results as ephemeral analysis, not a persistent notebook session.
  • Do not assume access to local files or your workspace.
  • For fresh X data, use x_search first and pipe the result into code_execution.

Exec tool

Local shell execution on your machine or paired node.

Exec approvals

Allow/deny policy for shell execution.

Web tools

web_search, x_search, and web_fetch.

xAI provider

Grok models, web/x search, and code execution config.