How Does Complexity Change the Default Perplexity.ai Experience?

Updated

Complexity (cplx.app) is a browser extension that layers a set of quality-of-life features on top of Perplexity.ai. It does not replace Perplexity or change how the underlying AI answers questions — instead, it removes friction from the interface: you can switch models and focus modes without opening settings, start threads and use Spaces from the homepage, navigate long threads, and customize the look. It's available for Chrome (Chrome Web Store) and Firefox (Mozilla Add-ons), and it's aimed at people who use Perplexity frequently enough that small interface annoyances add up.

What Complexity changes, feature by feature

The table below compares the default Perplexity.ai behavior (as implied by the problems each feature solves) with what Complexity adds.

Area Default Perplexity.ai With Complexity
Model & focus mode switching Requires going into the settings page Change preferred models and focus modes on the fly, even mid-thread
Spaces access Navigating away from the homepage to start a new thread Interact with Spaces without leaving the homepage
Long thread navigation Scroll up and down manually Thread table of contents (Toc) for jumping around
Message actions Actions require scrolling back to the message Sticky toolbar keeps actions accessible; quick access to Rewrite, Edit, Copy (with/without links)
Code blocks Line wrap by default; limited syntax highlighting Custom Markdown block: no line wrap by default, syntax highlighting for unsupported languages
Exporting Not described as a built-in option Export an entire thread or individual messages in Markdown, with or without links
Theming Default appearance Custom theme, including an ADHD-friendly color scheme out of the box; define your own accent color, fonts, and more

Model and focus mode switching mid-thread

The most workflow-relevant change is that model and focus mode selectors move out of the settings page and into the thread itself. In practice, this means you can start a thread with one model, decide mid-conversation that a different model or focus mode fits better, and switch without abandoning the thread or digging through settings. One reviewer (Daily Focus, May 31, 2024) specifically called the model and collection selectors workflow-transforming and described mid-chat focus mode switching as "essential."

Spaces and new threads from the homepage

Complexity lets you interact with Spaces and start new threads without navigating away from the homepage. If your habit is to bounce between the homepage and Spaces, this removes a repeated navigation step rather than changing what Spaces can do.

Long-thread navigation and message actions

Two features target long conversations:

  • Thread Toc — a table of contents for the thread, so you can jump to a section instead of scrolling.
  • Sticky toolbar — keeps a message's action items (Rewrite, Edit, Copy with or without links, etc.) within reach instead of requiring you to scroll back to that message.

Code and Markdown handling

The Custom Markdown Block is aimed at coding use: no line wrap by default, plus syntax highlighting for languages Perplexity doesn't natively highlight. If you copy code out of Perplexity often, this changes how readable those blocks are in place.

Export

You can export an entire thread or individual messages as Markdown, with or without links. This is useful if you want to keep a record of a research thread outside Perplexity.

Theming

Complexity ships a custom theme with an ADHD-friendly color scheme out of the box, and you can define your own accent color, fonts, and more. This is cosmetic, but for people sensitive to default color schemes it can matter for long sessions.

What users report

Two testimonials on the site give a sense of who benefits:

  • Daily Focus (May 31, 2024) — describes the extension as a "lifesaver" for daily Perplexity users, highlighting the model and collection selectors and mid-chat focus mode switching as the biggest wins, with UI improvements as secondary.
  • Markus Weninger (Jul 2, 2024) — says he switched his default browser from Firefox to Brave specifically to use the extension, and notes the developer is open to suggestions via the Perplexity Discord community. He also mentions looking forward to the extension going open-source.

Both reviews come from the product's own site, so treat them as vendor-hosted testimonials rather than independent testing.

What's still in development

A Prompt Library — described as a system to create, manage, and share prompts — is listed as in development, along with "many more" features not detailed on the page. If prompt management is your main reason for considering Complexity, it isn't available yet based on the current page.

How to decide

Complexity is worth trying if:

  • You use Perplexity daily and frequently switch models or focus modes.
  • You work in long threads and lose time scrolling.
  • You want Markdown export of threads.
  • You want control over the interface theme, including a lower-stimulation color scheme.

It may add little if:

  • You use Perplexity occasionally and rarely touch settings.
  • You only need the default answer experience and don't care about export or theming.
  • You need the Prompt Library now — it's still in development.

FAQ

Is Complexity a replacement for Perplexity.ai? No. It's an extension that enhances the Perplexity.ai interface; the underlying service is unchanged.

Which browsers are supported? Chrome (via the Chrome Web Store) and Firefox (via Mozilla Add-ons).

Does it cost anything? The page doesn't state pricing. Check the Chrome Web Store or Mozilla Add-ons listing for current terms before installing.

Where do I report issues or suggest features? The site points to a Discord community for feature suggestions and issue reports.