Routine
Also called scheduled task, scheduled tasks, recurring task.
In plain English
In Grok BotGrok Bot is xAI’s product for named AI teammates that carry out tasks with tools and a persistent cloud computer shared by the Bots on one account., a routine tells one Bot when to run a workflowA workflow is a connected sequence of steps that takes a task from a starting input to an intended result.: on a schedule or, where supported, after an event. A test of a routine does real work.
Example
A routine prepares a draftA draft is work that is not finalized yet. activity summary every Friday at 4 p.m. The saved instructions say which records to use and where to leave the draft. You press test first, and the test writes a real draft.
Why it matters
A skillA skill is how to do a task: a saved method you can reuse instead of retyping the steps. is how to do a task. A routine is when: run this, on this Bot, on this schedule or after this event, even if the laptop is closed. xAI’s docs say event triggers come from supported integrations, such as Slack or GitHub.
Scheduled task is the broader everyday phrase for work set to run at a chosen time. Other products have their own versions, such as scheduled tasks in ChatGPT dotsDots are OpenAI's always-on agents in ChatGPT. Each dot has its own computer and browser in the cloud, remembers context, connects to apps, and messages you with progress., so not every scheduled task is a Grok BotGrok Bot is xAI’s product for named AI teammates that carry out tasks with tools and a persistent cloud computer shared by the Bots on one account. routine.
A routine still needs a clear job, the right access, and a stopping rule. Time zone, whether it is turned on, access, and usage limits can all affect whether it runs.
Common confusion
A routine test is not automatically a dry run. If the steps send mail or change a file, the test can do that too. Read the current Grok BotGrok Bot is xAI’s product for named AI teammates that carry out tasks with tools and a persistent cloud computer shared by the Bots on one account. docs before you trust a clock.
Sources
Updated October 1, 2026.