Perplexity Effort Mode: Choose Depth for the Task
References checked: 5 October 2026

Task: What depth is necessary for this particular task?
Inputs: [provide a task, quality criteria, and a usage budget]
Audience: [intended reader]
Required result: a justified effort choice with a checked result.
Use approved sources and preserve dates, definitions, conditions, and exceptions. Separate confirmed facts, interpretation, and unresolved questions. Do not invent missing details. Show the evidence needed to review consequential claims. Ask one focused question if a missing requirement blocks the result.
Acceptance checks:
- Acceptance criteria remain fixed
- Failures are recorded
- Usage is checked separately
- Higher effort is justified by task demands

Practice
Compare two fictional tasks and explain why they deserve different reasoning depth.

Official reference
https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/20260917-effort-mode-in-perplexity-computer