01What Is Grok 4.5 and How It Works

Grok 4.5 is a new AI model from Grok, based on a 1.5 trillion v9 foundation model. It was announced by Elon Musk and is currently in private beta at SpaceX and Tesla. The model uses additional data from Cursor, which was recently acquired by Grok, for supplemental training.

Grok 4.5 works like other frontier AI models, but the key difference is its accessibility. You may be able to use it with your existing Twitter subscription instead of paying for a separate API. This is a big deal because it lowers the cost for developers and builders.

Early evaluations show Grok 4.5 performing close to or even exceeding Opus 4.8. This makes it a potential competitor in the high-end AI space.

02Main Features of Grok 4.5

  • 1.5 trillion v9 foundation model – the technical base that powers the model.
  • Private beta at SpaceX and Tesla – the model is already being used by these companies, a sign of readiness.
  • Potential OAuth access – build with Grok 4.5 using your Twitter subscription, just like you might with Claude Opus but without extra API costs.
  • Improved performance – early tests show it could beat Opus 4.8.
  • Fast improvement – Grok build has shown dramatic gains, impressing users like Julian Goldie.

These features make Grok 4.5 exciting for those who want a powerful model without breaking the bank.

03How to Get Started with Grok 4.5

Grok 4.5 is not available to the public yet, but you can prepare to use it when it drops. Here are steps to get started.

  1. Ensure you have an active Twitter subscription, as this may give you OAuth access.
  2. Familiarize yourself with AI agent systems like Hermes or OpenClaw that can integrate with Grok.
  3. Check for announcements about the public release; the typical timeline suggests a two-week gap from the teaser.
  4. Set up your development environment to be able to plug in Grok 4.5 once it's available.
  5. Consider using a system like the AgentOS, which allows you to switch models easily without being locked to one.

04How to Use Grok 4.5 in Real Projects

Julian Goldie used Grok build to create a full open-world game and other projects within his agent operating system. He emphasizes that Grok is powerful for building practical tools.

You can use Grok 4.5 with AI agents through OAuth, which means you don't need to pay extra if you already have a Twitter subscription. This is a major advantage over Claude Opus, which requires an expensive API.

For a concrete example, in the episode, Julian showed a voice-activated version of Hermes, a system that switches between Grok and other models like Minimax. You could do the same: set up a system that pulls in Grok 4.5 and use it for tasks like generating images, videos, or processing news.

05Results and Comparisons from the Episode

Early evaluations show Grok 4.5 performing close to or exceeding Opus 4.8. In Julian's tests, he found Grok build to be very good on GoldieBench, a benchmark he uses to compare models.

Julian also compared 42 things side by side, and Hermes mixture of agents and fusion models beat Opus 4.8 by a long way. This shows that systems can outperform even the best individual models.

Polymarket gives a 42% chance of Grok 4.5 release in July. Historical patterns show Grok 4 was teased on June 27, 2025, and launched on July 9. Grok 4.1 was teased on November 1 and released by November 17.

If Grok 4.5 follows this pattern, a public release could come within two weeks of the announcement.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't overhype – some call Grok 4.5 the Opus killer, but be skeptical.
  • Watch for gating – other models like GPT 5.6 and Fable 5 are gated or in preview, so Grok 4.5 might face similar limits.
  • Focus on systems – Julian advises building a system that can use any model, so you're not dependent on one release.
  • Check timelines – use historical patterns to estimate release, but make your own judgment.
  • Use existing tools – if you already subscribe to Twitter, you may get access without extra cost.

07Who Grok 4.5 Is For and Why It Matters

Grok 4.5 is for developers, AI enthusiasts, and business owners who want a powerful model at a lower cost. If you already have a Twitter subscription, you could use Grok 4.5 without paying extra API fees.

It matters because the AI landscape is moving fast, and many top models are locked away or gated. Grok 4.5 seems to be advancing quickly, and with the acquisition of Cursor, it's getting better data for training.

However, Julian argues that the real win is building a system that lets you switch models freely. That way, you're not at the mercy of any single model's release schedule or restrictions.