> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://aisa.one/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AIsa Perplexity Deep Research

> Generate citation-backed research answers with Perplexity Sonar.

[View on GitHub ->](https://github.com/AIsa-team/agent-skills/tree/main/perplexity-research)

**Citation-backed research answers.** Use Perplexity Sonar through AIsa when an agent needs synthesized answers, not just links.

## Install

First, install the AIsa CLI if you have not already:

```bash theme={null}
npm install -g @aisa-one/cli
```

Then install the skill:

```bash theme={null}
aisa skills install perplexity-research
```

## What can agents do with it?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Deep research" icon="microscope">
    Generate longer answers with cited sources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fast answers" icon="bolt">
    Use Sonar for concise grounded responses.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reasoning research" icon="brain">
    Route complex questions to reasoning-capable Sonar models.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Source-backed summaries" icon="quote-left">
    Keep links and citations attached to claims.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Setup

This skill requires the `AISA_API_KEY` environment variable. When installed as a Claude plugin, the key is configured via the plugin's `userConfig`.

## Usage

Run the search client with the `sonar` subcommand:

```bash theme={null}
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/perplexity-research/scripts/search_client.py sonar --query "<research question>" --model <model_name>
```

### Arguments

| Argument         | Required | Default | Description                |
| ---------------- | -------- | ------- | -------------------------- |
| `--query` / `-q` | Yes      | —       | Research question or query |
| `--model` / `-m` | No       | sonar   | Model to use (see below)   |

### Available Models

| Model                 | Speed   | Depth      | Best For                       |
| --------------------- | ------- | ---------- | ------------------------------ |
| `sonar`               | Fast    | Standard   | Quick factual lookups          |
| `sonar-pro`           | Medium  | Detailed   | In-depth topic exploration     |
| `sonar-reasoning-pro` | Slower  | Deep       | Complex reasoning and analysis |
| `sonar-deep-research` | Slowest | Exhaustive | Comprehensive research reports |

### Examples

```bash theme={null}
# Quick factual lookup
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/perplexity-research/scripts/search_client.py sonar --query "What is the current state of quantum computing?"

# Detailed research
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/perplexity-research/scripts/search_client.py sonar --query "Compare transformer and state-space model architectures" --model sonar-pro

# Complex reasoning
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/perplexity-research/scripts/search_client.py sonar --query "Will AGI be achieved by 2030? Analyze arguments for and against." --model sonar-reasoning-pro

# Exhaustive deep research
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/perplexity-research/scripts/search_client.py sonar --query "Comprehensive analysis of AI regulation frameworks worldwide" --model sonar-deep-research
```

## Output

The script prints:

* **Synthesized answer** — A coherent, well-structured response
* **Citations** — Source URLs backing the answer
* **Cost** — API usage cost (when available)

## When to Use

Use this skill when the user needs a synthesized, well-researched answer rather than raw search results. Best for complex questions, comparative analyses, trend reports, and any query where a thoughtful, citation-backed response is more valuable than a list of links.

## Get started

1. Sign up at [aisa.one](https://aisa.one) (new accounts start with \$2 free credit).
2. Generate an API key from the console.
3. Set your key and install the skill:
   ```bash theme={null}
   export AISA_API_KEY="your-key"
   npm install -g @aisa-one/cli
   aisa skills install perplexity-research
   ```
4. Start a new agent session so the runtime loads the updated skill instructions.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Perplexity Search" icon="sparkles" href="/agent-skills/perplexity-search">
    Existing Perplexity Sonar skill.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Perplexity API reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/perplexity/post_perplexity-sonar">
    Sonar endpoint documentation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-source Search" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/agent-skills/search">
    Combine Perplexity with other search sources.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>