Adding PerplexiCart to cookbook

docs/showcase/perplexicart.mdx

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+---
+title: PerplexiCart | AI-Powered Value-Aligned Shopping Assistant
+description: An AI shopping assistant that uses Perplexity Sonar to deliver structured research, value-aligned recommendations, and transparent citations across the web
+sidebar_position: 24
+keywords: [PerplexiCart, shopping, e-commerce, recommendations, value alignment, Sonar, Perplexity, Next.js, FastAPI]
+---
+
+**PerplexiCart** helps users make informed, value-aligned purchasing decisions. Powered by the **Perplexity Sonar API**, it analyzes products across the web and returns structured insights with prioritized recommendations, pros/cons, trade‑off analysis, and user sentiment — tailored to preferences like Eco‑Friendly, Durability, Ethical, and region‑specific needs.
+
+<iframe
+  className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
+  src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5qzbRas0rxc"
+  title="YouTube video player"
+  frameBorder="0"
+  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
+  allowFullScreen
+></iframe>
+
+## Features
+
+* **Intelligent Product Recommendations** beyond simple spec comparison
+* **Priority-Based Value Alignment** (Best Value, Eco‑Friendly, Ethical, Durability, Made in India)
+* **Contextual Personalization** (skin type, usage patterns, region, etc.)
+* **Structured Research Output** with:
+  - Research summary and top recommendations
+  - Value alignment with reasoning
+  - Pros/Cons and key specifications
+  - User sentiment and community insights (Reddit, Quora)
+  - Trade‑off analysis and buying tips
+* **Transparent Sources** with citations for verification
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+* Node.js 18+ and npm/yarn
+* Python 3.10+ and pip
+* Perplexity API key
+
+## Installation
+
+```bash
+# Clone the repository
+git clone https://github.com/fizakhan90/perplexicart.git
+cd perplexicart
+
+# Backend (FastAPI) setup
+cd backend
+python -m venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate  # Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+
+# Frontend (Next.js) setup
+cd ../frontend
+npm install
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+Create a `.env` file in the backend directory:
+```ini
+PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_perplexity_api_key
+```
+
+(Optional) Add any app‑specific settings as needed (cache, region defaults, etc.).
+
+## Usage
+
+1. **Start Backend (FastAPI)**:
+   ```bash
+   cd backend
+   uvicorn main:app --reload  # adapt module:app if your entrypoint differs
+   ```
+
+2. **Start Frontend (Next.js)**:
+   ```bash
+   cd frontend
+   npm run dev
+   ```
+
+3. **Open the App**: Visit `http://localhost:3000` and search for a product. Select your priority (e.g., Eco‑Friendly) and add optional context (skin type, region).
+
+## Code Explanation
+
+* **Backend (FastAPI)**: Orchestrates Sonar calls with dynamic prompt engineering based on query, selected priority, and context
+* **Structured Outputs**: Enforces a strict JSON schema via `response_format` to ensure consistent UI rendering
+* **Live Web Research**: Directs Sonar to search e‑commerce platforms, forums, review blogs, and sustainability reports
+* **Semantic Analysis**: Extracts value alignment, pros/cons, sentiment, and cites sources for transparency
+* **Frontend (Next.js/React)**: Presents a clear, user‑friendly view of recommendations, trade‑offs, and citations
+
+## How the Sonar API Is Used
+
+PerplexiCart leverages the **Perplexity Sonar API** as its intelligence core, dynamically generating customized prompts based on user inputs like search queries, priorities and context. The API performs comprehensive web research across e-commerce sites, forums, and review platforms, with responses structured in a consistent JSON format. Through semantic analysis, it extracts key product insights including alignment with user priorities, pros/cons, and sentiment - all backed by cited sources. The FastAPI backend processes these structured responses before serving them to the Next.js frontend for a polished user experience.
+
+## Links
+
+- **Live Demo**: https://perplexicart.vercel.app/
+- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/fizakhan90/perplexicart