Perplexity AutoComplete — Chrome Extension

AI-powered query autocomplete suggestions for Perplexity.ai, built using the Perplexity Sonar API.

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What It Does

As you type in Perplexity's search bar, this extension shows 5 AI-generated query suggestions in a native-looking dropdown — similar to Google's autocomplete, but powered by Perplexity's own model.

• 350ms debounce — suggestions appear without lag
• Keyboard navigation (↑ ↓ to navigate, Enter to select, Esc to dismiss)
• Styled to match Perplexity's dark UI
• Your API key is stored locally — never sent anywhere except the Perplexity API

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Demo

Watch the demo

Prerequisites

• Google Chrome (or any Chromium-based browser: Brave, Arc, Edge)
• A Perplexity API key (free tier available)

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Installation (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Download the Extension

Clone or download this repository:

git clone https://github.com/ravisastryk/perplexity-autocomplete.git

Or click Code → Download ZIP on GitHub and extract the folder.

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Step 2 — Load Into Chrome

1. Open Chrome and go to: chrome://extensions
2. Toggle Developer mode ON (top-right corner)
3. Click "Load unpacked"
4. Select the perplexity-autocomplete folder

The extension icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar.

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Step 3 — Add Your API Key

1. Click the extension icon in the toolbar
2. Paste your Perplexity API key (starts with pplx-)
3. Click Save API Key

Get your API key: Go to perplexity.ai/settings/api → Create a key

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Step 4 — Use It

1. Open perplexity.ai
2. Start typing in the search bar (at least 3 characters)
3. Suggestions appear after ~350ms

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Project Structure

perplexity-autocomplete/
├── manifest.json     # Chrome extension config (Manifest V3)
├── background.js     # Service worker — calls Perplexity Sonar API
├── content.js        # Injected into perplexity.ai — renders dropdown
├── styles.css        # Dropdown UI styles
├── popup.html        # Extension popup UI (API key input)
├── popup.js          # Popup logic
└── README.md         # You are here

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How It Works

User types in search bar
        ↓
content.js detects input (debounced 350ms)
        ↓
Sends message to background.js
        ↓
background.js calls Perplexity Sonar API
  → prompt: "return 5 autocomplete suggestions as JSON array"
        ↓
Suggestions returned and rendered in dropdown
        ↓
User clicks or presses Enter → query is applied

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API Cost Estimate

This extension uses the sonar model (Perplexity's most affordable).

Usage	Estimated Cost
100 searches/day	~$0.01–0.05/day
1,000 searches/day	~$0.10–0.50/day

Costs are minimal due to the 350ms debounce (prevents excessive calls while typing).

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Customization

Change the model

In background.js, find this line:

model: "sonar",

And change to sonar-pro for higher quality suggestions (slightly higher cost).

Change debounce delay

In content.js, find:

}, 350); // Debounce delay in ms

Increase for fewer API calls, decrease for faster suggestions.

Change number of suggestions

In background.js, update the system prompt:

return exactly 5 complete ...

Change 5 to any number between 3–8.

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License

MIT — free to use, modify, and distribute.

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Troubleshooting

Issue	Fix
No suggestions appearing	Check API key is saved and starts with pplx-
"API request failed"	Verify your API key has credits at perplexity.ai/settings/api
Dropdown not showing	Reload the Perplexity tab after installing extension
Extension not loading	Make sure Developer Mode is ON in chrome://extensions