Perplexity Cache-First Skill

Purpose: Always check Memory MCP cache before using Perplexity to save costs Trigger: Any Perplexity search request ROI: $0.005 per cached query, 80%+ budget savings

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Quick Reference

BEFORE_PERPLEXITY:
  1. Check cache: mcp__basic-memory__search_notes("topic")
  2. If found: USE CACHED RESULT (FREE!)
  3. If not found: Continue to Perplexity

AFTER_PERPLEXITY:
  IMMEDIATELY cache: mcp__basic-memory__write_note(
    title: "topic-summary",
    folder: "research-cache",
    content: [Perplexity results + sources]
  )

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The Workflow

Step 1: Check Cache First (MANDATORY)

# Always do this BEFORE any Perplexity search
result = mcp__basic-memory__search_notes("your search topic")

If found: STOP! Use the cached result. No Perplexity needed.

Step 2: Use Perplexity (only on cache miss)

# Only if Step 1 returned no results
perplexity_result = mcp__perplexity__search(query="your detailed question")

Step 3: Cache Results (MANDATORY)

# Immediately after Perplexity search
mcp__basic-memory__write_note(
    title="descriptive-topic-name",
    folder="research-cache",
    content="""
# Research: [Topic]
**Searched**: [Date]
**Query**: [Your query]

## Summary
[Key findings from Perplexity]

## Sources
[URLs from response]
"""
)

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Common Mistakes

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct
Skip cache check, go straight to Perplexity	Always check cache first
Forget to cache results after search	Cache IMMEDIATELY after every search
Use vague cache titles	Use descriptive, searchable titles
Cache in project folder	Cache in global research-cache/

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Cache Title Examples

Topic	Good Title
React 19	react-19-features-2025
Claude hooks	claude-code-hooks-setup
PostgreSQL	postgresql-performance-tips
Node.js	nodejs-async-patterns

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Validation

Test Cache Miss:

1. Search for topic not in cache
2. Perplexity should be used
3. Results should be cached

Test Cache Hit:

1. Search for same topic
2. Cache should be found
3. Perplexity should NOT be called

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Cost Impact

Scenario	Cost
Direct Perplexity (no caching)	$0.005/query
Cached query	$0.00
Expected savings	80%+

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Related

• Chapter 18: Perplexity Cost Optimization
• MCP Integration

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Skill Authority: Mandatory workflow for Perplexity cost optimization Activation: Before any web search / research request Evidence: Production research-cache with 10+ validated cached results