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

# Perplexity Sonar

# Perplexity Sonar

OpenClaw can use Perplexity Sonar for the `web_search` tool. You can connect
through Perplexity’s direct API or via OpenRouter.

## API options

### Perplexity (direct)

* Base URL: [https://api.perplexity.ai](https://api.perplexity.ai)
* Environment variable: `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY`

### OpenRouter (alternative)

* Base URL: [https://openrouter.ai/api/v1](https://openrouter.ai/api/v1)
* Environment variable: `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`
* Supports prepaid/crypto credits.

## Config example

```json5 theme={null}
{
  tools: {
    web: {
      search: {
        provider: "perplexity",
        perplexity: {
          apiKey: "pplx-...",
          baseUrl: "https://api.perplexity.ai",
          model: "perplexity/sonar-pro",
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

## Switching from Brave

```json5 theme={null}
{
  tools: {
    web: {
      search: {
        provider: "perplexity",
        perplexity: {
          apiKey: "pplx-...",
          baseUrl: "https://api.perplexity.ai",
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

If both `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY` and `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` are set, set
`tools.web.search.perplexity.baseUrl` (or `tools.web.search.perplexity.apiKey`)
to disambiguate.

If no base URL is set, OpenClaw chooses a default based on the API key source:

* `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY` or `pplx-...` → direct Perplexity (`https://api.perplexity.ai`)
* `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` or `sk-or-...` → OpenRouter (`https://openrouter.ai/api/v1`)
* Unknown key formats → OpenRouter (safe fallback)

## Models

* `perplexity/sonar` — fast Q\&A with web search
* `perplexity/sonar-pro` (default) — multi-step reasoning + web search
* `perplexity/sonar-reasoning-pro` — deep research

See [Web tools](/tools/web) for the full web\_search configuration.