Perplexity AI Search
Web search with AI-powered answers, deep research, and chain-of-thought reasoning.
When to Use
- Direct web search for ranked results (no AI synthesis)
- AI-synthesized research with citations
- Chain-of-thought reasoning for complex decisions
- Deep comprehensive research on topics
Models (2025)
| Model | Purpose |
|---|
sonar | Lightweight search with grounding |
sonar-pro | Advanced search for complex queries |
sonar-reasoning-pro | Chain of thought reasoning |
sonar-deep-research | Expert-level exhaustive research |
Usage
Quick question (AI answer)
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--ask "What is the latest version of Python?"
Direct web search (ranked results, no AI)
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--search "SQLite graph database patterns" \
--max-results 5 \
--recency week
AI-synthesized research
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--research "compare FastAPI vs Django for microservices"
Chain-of-thought reasoning
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--reason "should I use Neo4j or SQLite for small graph under 10k nodes?"
Deep comprehensive research
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--deep "state of AI agent observability 2025"
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|
--ask | Quick question with AI answer (sonar) |
--search | Direct web search - ranked results without AI synthesis |
--research | AI-synthesized research (sonar-pro) |
--reason | Chain-of-thought reasoning (sonar-reasoning-pro) |
--deep | Deep comprehensive research (sonar-deep-research) |
Search-specific options
| Parameter | Description |
|---|
--max-results N | Number of results (1-20, default: 10) |
--recency | Filter: day, week, month, year |
--domains | Limit to specific domains |
Mode Selection Guide
| Need | Use | Why |
|---|
| Quick fact | --ask | Fast, lightweight |
| Find sources | --search | Raw results, no AI overhead |
| Synthesized answer | --research | AI combines multiple sources |
| Complex decision | --reason | Chain-of-thought analysis |
| Comprehensive report | --deep | Exhaustive multi-source research |
Examples
# Find recent sources on a topic
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--search "OpenTelemetry AI agent tracing" \
--recency month --max-results 5
# Get AI synthesis
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--research "best practices for AI agent logging 2025"
# Make a decision
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--reason "microservices vs monolith for startup MVP"
# Deep dive
uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \
--deep "comprehensive guide to building feedback loops for autonomous agents"
API Key Required
Requires PERPLEXITY_API_KEY in environment or ~/.claude/.env.
