# Perplexity

> AI-powered answer engine that provides accurate, trusted, and real-time answers with web search capabilities.

Source: https://cotera.co/docs/reference/tools/individual-tools/perplexity

---

**Authentication Type:** API Key\
**Description:** AI-powered answer engine that provides accurate, trusted, and real-time answers with web search capabilities.

***

## Authentication

To authenticate, you'll need a Perplexity API key. Learn how to create one in the [Perplexity Help Center](https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352995-api-settings).

***

## Chat Completions

Generate AI responses with real-time web search capabilities.

### Chat Completions

Generate conversational AI responses with real-time web search, citations, and various search filters. Supports Sonar models: sonar (lightweight), sonar-reasoning (fast reasoning), and sonar-deep-research (comprehensive research).

**Operation Type:** Query (Read)

**Parameters:**

* **model** `string` (required): The Perplexity model to use for chat completion. Options: "sonar", "sonar-reasoning", "sonar-deep-research". Defaults to "sonar"
* **messages** `array of objects` (required): Array of chat messages
  * **role** `string` (required): Message role. Options: "system", "user", "assistant"
  * **content** `string` (required): Message content
* **maxTokens** `number` (nullable): Maximum number of tokens to generate
* **temperature** `number` (nullable): Sampling temperature (0-2)
* **topP** `number` (nullable): Top-p sampling parameter
* **searchDomainFilter** `array of strings` (nullable): Array of domains to search within (e.g., \["example.com"])
* **searchRecencyFilter** `string` (nullable): Time range for search results. Options: "hour", "day", "week", "month", "year"
* **returnCitations** `boolean` (nullable): Whether to return citations in the response
* **returnImages** `boolean` (nullable): Whether to return images in the response
* **returnRelatedQuestions** `boolean` (nullable): Whether to return related questions
* **searchType** `string` (nullable): Type of search to perform. Options: "general", "news", "academic"

**Returns:**

* **id** `string`: Unique identifier for the completion
* **object** `string`: Object type (chat.completion)
* **created** `number`: Unix timestamp of creation
* **model** `string`: Model used for completion
* **choices** `array of objects`: Array of completion choices
  * **index** `number`: Choice index
  * **message** `object`: Generated message
    * **role** `string`: Message role
    * **content** `string`: Generated message content
  * **finishReason** `string` (nullable): Reason the generation finished
  * **delta** `object` (nullable): Delta information
* **usage** `object`: Token usage information
  * **promptTokens** `number`: Number of tokens in the prompt
  * **completionTokens** `number`: Number of tokens in the completion
  * **totalTokens** `number`: Total number of tokens used
* **citations** `array of strings` (nullable): Source citations for the response
* **images** `array of strings` (nullable): Related images for the response
* **relatedQuestions** `array of strings` (nullable): Related questions

**Example Usage:**

```json
{
  "model": "sonar-reasoning",
  "messages": [
    {
      "role": "system",
      "content": "You are a research assistant that provides accurate, well-sourced information."
    },
    {
      "role": "user",
      "content": "What are the latest developments in renewable energy storage technology?"
    }
  ],
  "maxTokens": 1000,
  "temperature": 0.2,
  "topP": 0.9,
  "searchDomainFilter": ["ieee.org", "nature.com", "science.org"],
  "searchRecencyFilter": "month",
  "returnCitations": true,
  "returnImages": true,
  "returnRelatedQuestions": true,
  "searchType": "academic"
}
```

***

## Common Use Cases

**Real-time Research and Analysis:**

* Generate up-to-date research reports with current information and academic sources
* Filter search results to recent timeframes for breaking news analysis and trend identification
* Access domain-specific information from trusted sources like scientific journals and government sites

**Content Creation with Citations:**

* Create well-sourced articles and blog posts with automatic citation generation
* Generate educational content with academic references and supporting images
* Produce market research reports with current data and visual supporting materials

**Question-Answering Systems:**

* Build intelligent FAQ systems that provide current, accurate answers with source verification
* Create research assistants that suggest related questions for deeper exploration
* Develop customer support systems with access to real-time product information and updates

**Academic and Professional Research:**

* Conduct literature reviews with filtering for academic sources and recent publications
* Generate research summaries with comprehensive citations and related visual content
* Create briefing documents with current information filtered by domain authority and publication recency