# Perplexity with LiteLLM

## Overview

[LiteLLM](https://litellm.ai) is a Python SDK and proxy server that gives you a single OpenAI-compatible interface to 100+ LLM providers. Perplexity's [Agent API](/guides/agent-api-quickstart) — with third-party models like GPT-5, Claude, and Gemini routed through Perplexity — is a first-class provider in LiteLLM.

:::callout{intent="info"}
**LiteLLM** lets you swap providers without rewriting code, run a self-hosted proxy that fronts every model behind one API key, and track spend, latency, and errors per provider. Learn more at [litellm.ai](https://litellm.ai).
:::

## Installation

```bash theme={null}
pip install litellm
```

## API Key Setup

LiteLLM reads your Perplexity API key from the environment:

```bash theme={null}
export PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_api_key_here"
```

:::card{title="Get API Key" href="https://console.perplexity.ai/project/keys" icon="key"}
Generate your Perplexity API key from the API portal.
:::

## Agent API

Use `litellm.responses` to call the [Agent API](/guides/agent-api-quickstart), which routes through Perplexity to third-party models with tool orchestration and presets.

### Presets

```python theme={null}
from litellm import responses
import os

os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"] = "your_api_key_here"

response = responses(
    model="perplexity/preset/low",
    input="What are the latest developments in AI?",
    custom_llm_provider="perplexity",
)

print(response.output)
```

Available presets: `fast`, `low`, `medium`, `high`, `xhigh`.

### Tool Use (`web_search` and `fetch_url`)

```python theme={null}
from litellm import responses

response = responses(
    model="perplexity/openai/gpt-5.6-sol",
    input="Research quantum computing breakthroughs and cite sources.",
    custom_llm_provider="perplexity",
    tools=[
        {"type": "web_search"},
        {"type": "fetch_url"},
    ],
    instructions="Use web_search and fetch_url to gather citations.",
    max_output_tokens=1000,
    temperature=0.7,
)

print(response.output)
```

### Structured Outputs

```python theme={null}
from litellm import responses

response = responses(
    model="perplexity/preset/low",
    input="Extract key facts about the Eiffel Tower.",
    custom_llm_provider="perplexity",
    text={
        "format": {
            "type": "json_schema",
            "name": "facts",
            "schema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "name": {"type": "string"},
                    "height_meters": {"type": "number"},
                    "year_built": {"type": "integer"},
                },
                "required": ["name", "height_meters", "year_built"],
            },
            "strict": True,
        }
    },
)
```

### Supported Third-Party Models via Agent API

Prefix any Agent API model ID with `perplexity/` (for example, `perplexity/openai/gpt-5.6-sol`). See the [Agent API model list](/guides/agent-api-models) for the canonical, up-to-date catalogue.

## LiteLLM Proxy

Run LiteLLM as a self-hosted proxy that fronts Perplexity (and any other provider) behind a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint.

### config.yaml

```yaml theme={null}
model_list:
  - model_name: perplexity-low
    litellm_params:
      model: perplexity/preset/low
      api_key: os.environ/PERPLEXITY_API_KEY
```

### Start the Proxy

```bash theme={null}
litellm --config /path/to/config.yaml
```

### Call the Proxy

```bash theme={null}
curl http://0.0.0.0:4000/v1/responses \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer anything" \
  -d '{
    "model": "perplexity-low",
    "input": "What are the latest developments in AI?",
    "tools": [{"type": "web_search"}]
  }'
```

## Links & Resources

::::card-grid
:::card{title="LiteLLM Perplexity Docs" href="https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/providers/perplexity" icon="book"}
Official LiteLLM Perplexity provider docs.
:::

:::card{title="LiteLLM Docs" href="https://docs.litellm.ai" icon="globe"}
Full LiteLLM documentation.
:::

:::card{title="Perplexity Agent API" href="/guides/agent-api-quickstart" icon="robot"}
Agent API reference and presets.
:::

:::card{title="Agent API Models" href="/guides/agent-api-models" icon="sparkles"}
Available Agent API models.
:::
::::

## Support

Need help with the integration?

- Browse the [LiteLLM documentation](https://docs.litellm.ai)
- Review our [FAQ](/guides/resources-faq)

## Related pages

- [Perplexity with AG2](./resources-getting-started-integrations-ag2.md)
- [Perplexity with Agno](./resources-getting-started-integrations-agno.md)
- [Perplexity MCP Server for Google Antigravity](./resources-getting-started-integrations-antigravity.md)
- [Perplexity with AnythingLLM](./resources-getting-started-integrations-anythingllm.md)
- [Perplexity with CAMEL-AI](./resources-getting-started-integrations-camel.md)
- [Perplexity with Claude Code](./resources-getting-started-integrations-claude-code.md)
- [Perplexity with Composio](./resources-getting-started-integrations-composio.md)
- [Perplexity with Cursor](./resources-getting-started-integrations-cursor.md)
- [Perplexity with Haystack](./resources-getting-started-integrations-haystack.md)
- [Perplexity web search in Hermes](./resources-getting-started-integrations-hermes.md)

# Agent Instructions

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