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

# Perplexity with LiveKit Agents

> Use Perplexity's Agent API as the LLM brain of a LiveKit voice agent.

export const SonarDeprecationNotice = ({showGuideLink = true}) => <Warning>
    Sonar Chat Completions is now <a href="/docs/agent-api/quickstart">Agent API.</a> Sonar will be supported until September 27, 2026.{showGuideLink && <> Migration guide <a href="/docs/agent-api/migrate-from-sonar/overview">here</a>.</>}
  </Warning>;

<SonarDeprecationNotice />

## Overview

Perplexity's [Agent API](/docs/agent-api/quickstart) is compatible with the OpenAI Responses API, so it works as a drop-in LLM for [LiveKit Agents](https://docs.livekit.io/agents/) through `livekit-plugins-openai`'s `openai.responses.LLM` class, pointed at Perplexity's base URL.

<Info>
  **LiveKit Agents** is an open-source framework for building realtime voice and multimodal AI agents. For new integrations, use the Perplexity **Agent API** via `openai.responses.LLM` — not the `livekit-plugins-perplexity` plugin or `openai.LLM.with_perplexity()`, which both call the legacy Sonar Chat Completions endpoint. Learn more at [livekit.io](https://livekit.io).
</Info>

## Installation

```bash theme={null}
pip install "livekit-agents" "livekit-plugins-openai"
```

## API Key Setup

Set your Perplexity API key as an environment variable and pass it to the constructor:

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

<Card title="Get API Key" icon="key" href="https://console.perplexity.ai/project/keys">
  Generate your API key from the Perplexity dashboard.
</Card>

## Quick Start

Use `openai.responses.LLM` anywhere a LiveKit `AgentSession` expects an LLM:

```python theme={null}
import os

from livekit.agents import Agent, AgentSession
from livekit.plugins import openai, silero

session = AgentSession(
    llm=openai.responses.LLM(
        model="openai/gpt-5.6-sol",
        base_url="https://api.perplexity.ai/v1",   # SDK appends /responses -> POST /v1/responses
        api_key=os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"],  # required: constructor does not read PERPLEXITY_API_KEY
    ),
    stt=openai.STT(),
    tts=openai.TTS(),
    vad=silero.VAD.load(),
)

agent = Agent(
    instructions="You are a helpful voice assistant. Use web search to answer with up-to-date information.",
    tools=[openai.tools.WebSearch()],  # Perplexity's built-in web_search tool
)

# Run the session inside your LiveKit room entrypoint
```

Because the Agent API is OpenAI-Responses-compatible, the OpenAI plugin talks to `https://api.perplexity.ai/v1` with no other changes.

## Configuration

`openai.responses.LLM` needs two settings to target Perplexity - `base_url` and an explicit `api_key` (the constructor does not read `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY` on its own):

```python theme={null}
import os

from livekit.plugins import openai

llm = openai.responses.LLM(
    model="openai/gpt-5.6-sol",
    base_url="https://api.perplexity.ai/v1",
    api_key=os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"],
)
```

Perplexity's built-in tools (like `web_search`, shown in the Quick Start) attach to the `Agent`, not to the LLM.

## Available Models

The integration works with any model exposed through the Perplexity Agent API, addressed as `provider/model` (for example `openai/gpt-5.6-sol`). See the full list on our [models page](/docs/agent-api/models).

## Links & Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="LiveKit Agents Docs" icon="book" href="https://docs.livekit.io/agents/">
    Build realtime voice and multimodal agents with LiveKit.
  </Card>

  <Card title="OpenAI Plugin Source" icon="brand-github" href="https://github.com/livekit/agents/tree/main/livekit-plugins/livekit-plugins-openai">
    The `livekit-plugins-openai` source, including the Responses `LLM`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent API Quickstart" icon="bolt" href="/docs/agent-api/quickstart">
    Request, response, and tool contract used above.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent API Models" icon="sparkles" href="/docs/agent-api/models">
    Available models and pricing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Support

Need help with the integration?

* Browse the [LiveKit Agents documentation](https://docs.livekit.io/agents/)
* Review our [FAQ](/docs/resources/faq)