perplexity-search

Perform AI-powered web searches with real-time information using Perplexity models via LiteLLM and OpenRouter. This skill should be used when conducting web searches for current information, finding recent scientific literature, getting grounded answers with source citations, or accessing information beyond the model knowledge cutoff. Provides access to multiple Perplexity models including Sonar Pro, Sonar Pro Search (advanced agentic search), and Sonar Reasoning Pro through a single OpenRouter API key.

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Perplexity Search - AI-driven Real-time Web Retrieval Tool

Skill Overview


Use the Perplexity AI models to perform real-time web searches and retrieve up-to-date information and scholarly literature with source citations.

Use Cases

  • Finding the Latest Scientific Literature

  • When you need to find the latest research papers, clinical trial results, or scientific developments published in 2023–2024, Perplexity can bypass the knowledge cutoff of large language models by fetching and summarizing the latest information from the web in real time, while providing reliable source citations.

  • Verifying Facts and Obtaining Citations

  • In academic writing, research reports, or content creation, when you need reliable sources for factual statements, Perplexity can provide answers with specific citations, making it easy for you to trace back to the original materials.

  • Technology Trends and Industry Developments

  • When you need to understand the latest developments, technology comparisons, or market trends in a technical field (such as AI, biotechnology, or software development), Perplexity can consolidate information from multiple sources and provide a structured analytical summary.

    Core Features

  • Multi-model Real-time Search

  • Offers five Perplexity model options, ranging from the cost-effective Sonar to the powerful Sonar Pro Search, meeting needs from simple fact queries to complex multi-step reasoning. All models are accessed through a unified OpenRouter interface, with no separate Perplexity account required.

  • Source Citations and Literature Tracking

  • Each search result includes specific source citations, covering various types of information such as scholarly literature, technical documentation, and news websites, making it easy to verify accuracy and delve into original materials.

  • Flexible Integration Options

  • Provides both a command-line tool and a Python module, supporting single searches, batch processing, and programmatic integration, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows or other scientific skill toolchains.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How is Perplexity Search different from a regular search engine?


    Perplexity does not simply return a list of links; it understands your question and synthesizes information from multiple sources to generate a structured answer, while providing precise source citations. It excels at handling complex questions, performing comparative analyses, and summarizing and distilling large amounts of information. Compared to traditional search engines, it can answer questions more directly, saving you the time of opening and reading through webpages one by one.

    How much does it cost to use Perplexity Search?


    Perplexity is offered via OpenRouter on a pay-as-you-go basis. You need to register an OpenRouter account and add funds before using it (a minimum of $5 is recommended). Costs vary significantly between models: a simple Sonar query costs about $0.001–$0.002 per query, while the most powerful Sonar Pro Search costs about $0.020–$0.050 or more per query. You can control costs by choosing an appropriate model and setting response length.

    Which Perplexity model is right for me?


    Model choice depends on your needs:
  • Sonar: Suitable for simple factual queries, such as definitions and data lookup

  • Sonar Pro (recommended default): Balances performance and cost, suitable for most queries

  • Sonar Pro Search: Suitable for complex multi-step analyses and deep research

  • Sonar Reasoning Pro: Suitable for complex problems requiring explicit reasoning steps

  • Sonar Reasoning: Suitable for budget-conscious scenarios that still require basic reasoning capabilities
  • In most cases, starting with Sonar Pro is the best choice.

      Perplexity Search - AI Real-time Web Retrieval and Literature Search Tool - Open Skills