The Grok Screen
Two main parts of the Grok screen: history above, typing box below.
The TUI is just two main regions: history above, typing below. Everything else is a menu or popup on top of those.
Map of the screen
1. Scrollback (history)
Your past messages, Grok’s answers, thinking notes, and tool results (including file diffs and command output). Scroll here to review what happened.
2. Prompt (input)
Where you type the next instruction, attach files with @, or run slash commands that start with /.
Optional panes you may meet later: a list of to-dos, a queue of follow-up messages, settings screens. You do not need them on day one.
The history area (scrollback) in detail
Each piece of history is an “entry” or “block.” Examples:
- Your user message
- Grok’s written answer (often with formatted text and code)
- A tool call such as “edited hi.js” with a expandable diff
- A shell command and its printed output
Why collapse blocks? Long command logs get huge. Collapsing hides detail until you need it so you can skim.
- Press Tab until focus is in the history (not the typing box).
- Move with the arrow keys.
- Collapse/expand with left/right arrows.
- Press Enter on a block to open a larger viewer when available.
Only one region accepts keys at a time. If you type letters and they do not appear in the bottom box, focus is probably on the history—press Tab to return to the prompt.
The typing area (prompt) in detail
Click the bottom area (or Tab until the cursor is there). Then you can:
| You want to… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Send a normal request | Type English, press Enter |
| Attach a file | Type @ and pick a file |
| Control Grok (not chat) | Type / and pick a command |
| Recall an old message you typed | With an empty prompt, press ↑ |
| Paste an image (when supported) | Paste from clipboard or drag a file in |
There is also a shell mode: on an empty prompt type ! to run a one-off terminal command through Grok’s UI. Beginners can ignore this until comfortable; the normal English prompt is enough.
Focus: which part is “active”
| Goal | Action |
|---|---|
| Type to Grok | Focus the prompt (Tab or click bottom) |
| Read / collapse history | Focus scrollback (Tab), then arrows |
| Stop Grok mid-work | Esc (details in Keyboard lesson) |
| Start a brand new chat | /new or the new-session shortcut |
Esc is not “unfocus.” Esc cancels work, clears the draft (with a double-tap in some states), or opens rewind. If you only wanted to stop typing in a menu, use Esc once to close the menu—read on-screen hints when they appear.
Slash commands in one minute
When you type / at the start of the prompt, Grok opens a searchable menu of commands that control the app, not messages to the AI persona.
/new— start a clean conversation/quit— exit Grok- Slash menu discovery: keep typing to filter, e.g.
/compfinds/compact; or run/helpfor the help browser
The full encyclopedia is a later lesson. For now: / means “control panel.”
Fullscreen vs minimal (optional knowledge)
Grok can draw its UI in different styles:
- Fullscreen (default for many setups): dedicated TUI look with themes.
- Minimal: sits more like plain terminal text. Themes work differently.
Switch with /minimal or /fullscreen if you ever need to. You can ignore this until something looks wrong in your terminal app.
Lab — learn the two panes
- Start Grok in any folder.
- Send:
Reply with exactly the words: panes practice. - Press Tab to move focus to the history. Select your message and Grok’s reply with arrows.
- Press Tab again so you can type. Send a second message:
Thanks — end of practice. - Type
/and browse the command list without running anything scary. Press Esc if you need to close the menu.
You can explain scrollback vs prompt, move focus with Tab, and open the slash menu on purpose.