Perplexity Search Skill

A skill for executing real-time web searches and research using the Perplexity API.

Purpose

This skill provides the following capabilities:

• perplexity_ask - Answer general questions (using sonar-pro model)

• perplexity_research - Deep research and comprehensive reports (using sonar-deep-research model)

• perplexity_reason - Advanced reasoning and analysis (using sonar-reasoning-pro model)

• perplexity_search - Retrieve web search results

When to Use

Use this skill in the following situations:

• User needs up-to-date information

• Received a question requiring web search

• Asked to perform deep research or investigation

• Complex analysis or reasoning is required

• Keywords like "look up", "search for", "latest..." are included

Prerequisites

• PERPLEXITY_API_KEY environment variable must be set

• Internet connection must be available

Usage

Basic Usage

Use the scripts/perplexity_api.py script to call the API.

General questions (ask)

python3 scripts/perplexity_api.py ask "your question"

Deep research (research)

python3 scripts/perplexity_api.py research "research topic"

Advanced reasoning (reason)

python3 scripts/perplexity_api.py reason "reasoning task"

Web search (search)

python3 scripts/perplexity_api.py search "search query" [--max-results 10] [--country JP]

Command Options

ask / research / reason

• First argument: question, research topic, or reasoning task

• --strip-thinking : Remove <think>...</think> tags to save context tokens (research/reason only)

search

• First argument: search query

• --max-results : Maximum number of results to return (1-20, default: 10)

• --max-tokens-per-page : Maximum tokens per page (256-2048, default: 1024)

• --country : ISO code for regional results (e.g., JP, US, GB)

Workflow

Standard Search Flow

Analyze the user's question and select the appropriate tool

• Simple questions → ask

• Deep research → research

• Complex analysis → reason

• Information gathering → search

Execute the script to call the API

Present results to the user, citing sources when available

Tool Selection Guidelines

Use Case Tool Description

Current weather, news ask When quick answers are needed

Technical topic research research When comprehensive analysis is needed

Complex problem analysis reason When logical reasoning is needed

Collecting sources search When URLs or snippets are needed

API Details

For detailed API specifications, see references/api_reference.md .

Troubleshooting

• API Key Error: Verify the PERPLEXITY_API_KEY environment variable

• Timeout: Increase PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS (default: 300000ms)

• Proxy Issues: Set PERPLEXITY_PROXY or HTTPS_PROXY