perplexity-search

# 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) ```bash uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \ --ask "What is the latest version of Python?" ``` ### Direct web search (ranked results, no AI) ```bash uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \ --search "SQLite graph database patterns" \ --max-results 5 \ --recency week ``` ### AI-synthesized research ```bash uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \ --research "compare FastAPI vs Django for microservices" ``` ### Chain-of-thought reasoning ```bash uv run python scripts/mcp/perplexity_search.py \ --reason "should I use Neo4j or SQLite for small graph under 10k nodes?" ``` ### Deep comprehensive research ```bash 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 ```bash # 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`.