Perplexity API Platform MCP Server

   

The official MCP server implementation for the Perplexity API Platform, providing AI assistants with real-time web search, reasoning, and research capabilities through Sonar models and the Search API.

Available Tools

perplexity_search

Direct web search using the Perplexity Search API. Returns ranked search results with metadata, perfect for finding current information.

perplexity_ask

General-purpose conversational AI with real-time web search using the sonar-pro model. Great for quick questions and everyday searches.

perplexity_research

Deep, comprehensive research using the sonar-deep-research model. Ideal for thorough analysis and detailed reports.

perplexity_reason

Advanced reasoning and problem-solving using the sonar-reasoning-pro model. Perfect for complex analytical tasks.

Tip

Available as an optional parameter for perplexity_reason and perplexity_research: strip_thinking

Set to true to remove <think>...</think> tags from the response, saving context tokens. Default: false

Configuration

Get Your API Key

1. Get your Perplexity API Key from the API Portal
2. Set it as an environment variable: PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here
3. (Optional) Set a timeout for requests: PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS=600000. The default is 5 minutes.

Claude Code

Option 1: Install via Plugin (Recommended)

The easiest way to get started with Perplexity in Claude Code, set your API key:

export PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here"

Then:

# Open Claude Code
claude

# Add the Perplexity marketplace
/plugin marketplace add perplexityai/modelcontextprotocol

# Install the plugin
/plugin install perplexity

Option 2: Manual Configuration

Run in your terminal:

claude mcp add perplexity --transport stdio --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here -- npx -y perplexity-mcp

Or add to your claude.json:

"mcpServers": {
  "perplexity": {
    "type": "stdio",
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
      "-y",
      "perplexity-mcp"
    ],
    "env": {
      "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here",
      "PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS": "600000"
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to your mcp.json (Cursor):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code

Add to your .vscode/mcp.json (VS Code):

{
	"servers": {
		"perplexity": {
			"type": "stdio",
			"command": "npx",
			"args": [
				"-y",
				"@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"
			],
			"env": {
				"PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
			}
		}
	}
}

Or use the one-click install badges at the top of this README.

Codex

Run in your terminal:

codex mcp add perplexity --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here",
        "PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS": "600000"
      }
    }
  }
}

Other MCP Clients

For any MCP-compatible client, use:

npx @perplexity-ai/mcp-server

Proxy Setup (For Corporate Networks)

If you are running this server at work—especially behind a company firewall or proxy—you may need to tell the program how to send its internet traffic through your network's proxy. Follow these steps:

1. Get your proxy details

• Ask your IT department for your HTTPS proxy address and port.
• You may also need a username and password.

2. Set the proxy environment variable

The easiest and most reliable way for Perplexity MCP is to use PERPLEXITY_PROXY. For example:

export PERPLEXITY_PROXY=https://your-proxy-host:8080

If your proxy needs a username and password, use:

export PERPLEXITY_PROXY=https://username:password@your-proxy-host:8080

3. Alternate: Standard environment variables

If you'd rather use the standard variables, we support HTTPS_PROXY and HTTP_PROXY.

Note

The server checks proxy settings in this order: PERPLEXITY_PROXY → HTTPS_PROXY → HTTP_PROXY. If none are set, it connects directly to the internet. URLs must include https://. Typical ports are 8080, 3128, and 80.

HTTP Server Deployment

For cloud or shared deployments, you can run the server in HTTP mode:

Environment Variables

The HTTP server supports these configuration options:

• PORT - HTTP server port (default: 8080)
• BIND_ADDRESS - Network interface to bind to (default: 127.0.0.1 for local, use 0.0.0.0 for hosted)
• ALLOWED_ORIGINS - Comma-separated list of allowed CORS origins (default: http://localhost:3000,http://127.0.0.1:3000, use * for public service)
• PERPLEXITY_API_KEY - Your Perplexity API key (required)

Using Docker

docker build -t perplexity-mcp-server .
docker run -p 8080:8080 -e PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here perplexity-mcp-server

The server will be accessible at http://localhost:8080/mcp

Using Node.js Directly

npm install
npm run build
npm run start:http

Connect your MCP client to: http://localhost:8080/mcp

Troubleshooting

• API Key Issues: Ensure PERPLEXITY_API_KEY is set correctly
• Connection Errors: Check your internet connection and API key validity
• Tool Not Found: Make sure the package is installed and the command path is correct
• Timeout Errors: For very long research queries, set PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS to a higher value
• Proxy Issues: Verify your PERPLEXITY_PROXY or HTTPS_PROXY setup and ensure api.perplexity.ai isn't blocked by your firewall.

For support, visit community.perplexity.ai or file an issue.

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