Connect your app to Perplexity

1. 1

   Decide if you need only web search or the full range of Perplexity features.

   This choice determines whether you use Lovable's managed connection or your own Perplexity account and API key.

2. 2

   If you need full features, sign in to the Perplexity API console, set up your billing, and generate an API key.

   Your own API key is required to access advanced features like academic search, deep research, and cited answers, and you'll manage billing directly with Perplexity.

3. 3

   Go to 'Connectors' in your Lovable dashboard, select 'Perplexity', and click 'Add connection'.

   This is where you initiate the connection process for Perplexity within Lovable.

4. 4

   Choose 'Managed by Lovable' for web search only, or 'Use your own credentials' if you have an API key.

   This selection configures how your app will interact with Perplexity and who handles the billing.

5. 5

   If using your own credentials, paste your Perplexity API key into the 'API key' field.

   This authenticates your Lovable app with your Perplexity account, granting access to its services.

6. 6

   Name your connection and set sharing preferences (who can use it in your workspace).

   Naming helps you identify the connection, and sharing controls access for other builders in your team.

7. 7

   Click 'Connect' to finalize the setup.

   This saves your connection settings and makes Perplexity available for use in your Lovable projects.

Use Perplexity and build a sales prep assistant that gathers company context before each call.

API key

A secret code that acts like a password, allowing your app to securely talk to another service (like Perplexity) and prove it's authorized.

Managed connection

A connection where Lovable handles the technical setup and billing for you, often with limited features, so you don't need your own account with the external service.

Workspace credits

A form of payment within Lovable that gets used up when your app performs certain actions, like making searches through a managed connection.

Grounded chat

An AI chat feature that uses specific, verifiable information (like search results) to form its answers, rather than just relying on its general training.

SEC filings

Official documents that public companies must submit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, containing detailed financial and operational information.

Connector gateway

A special pathway Lovable uses to send information between your app and other services, especially for managed connections.

• Using a managed connection for features like grounded chat, deep research, or academic/SEC search will not work, as these require your own Perplexity API key.
• Running out of Lovable workspace credits will cause managed Perplexity search requests to fail.
• Running out of Perplexity API credits on your own account will cause requests through your own credentials to fail.
• Sharing your Perplexity API key publicly can compromise your account, as it functions like a password.
• Not having permission to create connections in your Lovable workspace will prevent you from setting up Perplexity.