---
title: Perplexity Clone
description: Open-source Perplexity-style chat in React — theme-aware composer, functional Search and Model dropdowns, four-state primary action, and a Search-icon assistant avatar.
---

import { Perplexity } from "@/components/examples/perplexity";

<div className="not-prose h-[600px]">
  <Perplexity />
</div>

## Overview

The Perplexity Clone demonstrates how to customize assistant-ui to match Perplexity's search-focused interface. The empty state centers the `perplexity` wordmark above a multi-line composer with functional Search and Model dropdowns; the chat state keeps the composer pinned as a sticky follow-up footer.

## Features

- **Theme-Aware Styling**: Cream `#f6f2ec` light, espresso `#171615` dark — no forced theme
- **Hero Wordmark**: Large centered `perplexity` headline that scales down on mobile
- **Multi-line Composer**: `rows={2}` with `min-h-20` so the input feels as tall as Perplexity's hero
- **Functional Search Dropdown**: Search / Research / Labs modes, each with an icon and description
- **Functional Model Dropdown**: Best / Sonar / Claude 4.5 Sonnet / GPT-5 / Gemini 3 Pro (hidden on small screens)
- **Four-State Primary Action**: Cancel, StopDictation, Send, Dictate — mutually exclusive via priority
- **Inline Attachment Chips**: Compact previews render above the input
- **Sticky Follow-up**: Once a chat starts, the composer becomes a pinned footer with a fade-out gradient over the cream background

## Quick Start

```bash
npx assistant-ui add thread
```

## Code

The empty state and chat state share the same `Composer`. The composer uses `--thread-max-width: 40rem` to stay tighter than the typical max-w-3xl:

```tsx
import {
  AuiIf,
  ThreadPrimitive,
  ComposerPrimitive,
  AttachmentPrimitive,
} from "@assistant-ui/react";

export const Perplexity = () => (
  <ThreadPrimitive.Root
    className="bg-[#f6f2ec] dark:bg-[#171615]"
    style={{ ["--thread-max-width"]: "40rem" }}
  >
    <AuiIf condition={(s) => s.thread.isEmpty}>
      <EmptyState />
    </AuiIf>
    <AuiIf condition={(s) => !s.thread.isEmpty}>
      <ThreadPrimitive.Viewport>
        <ThreadPrimitive.Messages />
        <ThreadPrimitive.ViewportFooter className="sticky bottom-0">
          <Composer placeholder="Ask a follow-up..." />
        </ThreadPrimitive.ViewportFooter>
      </ThreadPrimitive.Viewport>
    </AuiIf>
  </ThreadPrimitive.Root>
);

const Composer = ({ placeholder }) => (
  <ComposerPrimitive.Root className="rounded-3xl border border-[#d7d0c5] bg-[#fcfbf8] dark:border-[#4a433b] dark:bg-[#23211f]">
    <ComposerPrimitive.Input rows={2} placeholder={placeholder} />
    <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
      <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
        <ComposerPrimitive.AddAttachment />
        <SearchModePicker />
      </div>
      <div className="flex items-center gap-1">
        <ModelPicker />
        <ComposerPrimaryAction />
      </div>
    </div>
  </ComposerPrimitive.Root>
);
```

### Functional Search & Model Dropdowns

```tsx
import { DropdownMenu, DropdownMenuContent, DropdownMenuItem, DropdownMenuTrigger } from "@/components/ui/dropdown-menu";

const SEARCH_MODES = [
  { id: "search", name: "Search", description: "Fast answers to everyday questions", Icon: Search },
  { id: "research", name: "Research", description: "In-depth reports on complex topics", Icon: Telescope },
  { id: "labs", name: "Labs", description: "Apps, slides, and dashboards", Icon: Sparkles },
];

<DropdownMenu>
  <DropdownMenuTrigger className="rounded-full border border-[#e0d8cb] bg-[#f5f1eb] px-3">
    <CurrentIcon /> {current.name} <ChevronDown />
  </DropdownMenuTrigger>
  <DropdownMenuContent>
    {SEARCH_MODES.map((m) => (
      <DropdownMenuItem onClick={() => setMode(m.id)}>
        {m.id === mode ? <Check /> : <m.Icon />}
        {m.name} — {m.description}
      </DropdownMenuItem>
    ))}
  </DropdownMenuContent>
</DropdownMenu>
```

The Model picker uses `hidden sm:flex` so it collapses on mobile and the Search pill keeps room.

### Four-State Primary Action

```tsx
<AuiIf condition={(s) => s.thread.isRunning}>
  <ComposerPrimitive.Cancel />
</AuiIf>
<AuiIf condition={(s) => s.composer.dictation != null}>
  <ComposerPrimitive.StopDictation />
</AuiIf>
<AuiIf condition={(s) => s.composer.dictation == null && !s.composer.isEmpty}>
  <ComposerPrimitive.Send />
</AuiIf>
<AuiIf condition={(s) => s.composer.dictation == null && s.composer.isEmpty}>
  <ComposerPrimitive.Dictate />
</AuiIf>
```

The conditions are mutually exclusive in priority order so dictation can be paused even when transcribed text fills the composer.

### Color Palette

| Element | Light | Dark |
|---------|-------|------|
| Background | `#f6f2ec` | `#171615` |
| Composer surface | `#fcfbf8` | `#23211f` |
| Composer border | `#d7d0c5` | `#4a433b` |
| Primary text | `#1f1b17` | `#f5f2ed` |
| Muted text | `#7d7468` | `#a19a91` |
| Primary action | `#25211c` | `#f5f2ed` |
| Search pill | `#f5f1eb` | `#2a2724` |

### Styling Details

- **Composer Shell**: `rounded-3xl` card with a soft layered shadow and explicit light/dark borders
- **Multi-line Input**: `rows={2}` and `min-h-20` keep the composer tall like Perplexity's hero input
- **Wordmark**: `text-5xl sm:text-[3.1rem]` so it stays readable on mobile
- **User Bubble**: `rounded-3xl rounded-tr-md` (chopped top-right corner) with a subtle border
- **Assistant Avatar**: Search icon on the left of every assistant message
- **Sticky Footer Gradient**: Fade from `transparent` to the cream background so messages don't sit flush against the composer

## Source

<SourceLink href="https://github.com/assistant-ui/assistant-ui/blob/main/apps/docs/components/examples/perplexity.tsx" />