Perplexity Agent API: Keep Instructions Lean

In Perplexity's Agent API, instructions sets the role, tone, formatting, and grounding rules, while input holds the question and seeds the first search query. Because instructions are re-read on every turn of the agent loop, bloat compounds across tool calls—keep instructions focused strictly on citation style and grounding behavior.

instructions: "Cite sources inline by domain (e.g., reuters.com). State explicitly when tool results don't fully answer the question." input: "Compare energy efficiency ratings of heat pumps vs. traditional HVAC for residential use"