Perplexity

by ppl-ai

2.4k stars

2.5k downloads

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GitHub Website

About

An MCP server that connects to Perplexity's Sonar API, enabling real-time web-wide research in conversational AI.

Details

Author: ppl-ai
GitHub stars: 2,368
Downloads: 2,468
Categories: Developer Tools, Search, Other, AI

- perplexity_search: Direct web search via the Search API with ranked results and metadata.
- perplexity_ask: Conversational AI with real-time web search using the sonar-pro model.
- perplexity_research: Deep, comprehensive research using the sonar-deep-research model.
- perplexity_reason: Advanced reasoning and problem-solving with the sonar-reasoning-pro model.
- Optional strip_thinking parameter for perplexity_reason and perplexity_research to remove thinking tags.
- Support for proxy configuration via PERPLEXITY_PROXY or standard HTTPS_PROXY/HTTP_PROXY environment variables.
- HTTP deployment mode with configurable port, CORS origins, and allowed hosts.

Setting up with Highlight

This MCP is not yet compatible with Highlight’s one-click setup. However, you can still use it with Highlight by following these steps:

Download and install Highlight from highlightai.com/download
Navigate to the plugins tab and select "Add Custom Plugin"
Configure the plugin with the settings below

Plugin Name Perplexity

Command (node, npx, python, etc.)

Please refer to the README for specific instructions on how to obtain API keys or other required environment variables.
Enable "Start Automatically" if you want the plugin to start when Highlight launches

Setting up with Cursor

Open Cursor's settings
Navigate to the MCP section
Click "Add new Global MCP server"
Copy and paste the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Claude Desktop

Open Claude Desktop's settings
Go to the Integrations tab
Click "Add MCP Server"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

Note: Make sure Claude Desktop is running before attempting to connect.

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Windsurf

Open Windsurf's preferences
Go to the Integrations section
Click "Add MCP Integration"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Cline

Open Cline's settings
Navigate to the Integrations section
Click "Add MCP Server"
Copy and paste the configuration below based on your operating system

Note: Make sure to restart Cline after adding the configuration.

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Setting up with Goose

Open Goose's preferences
Go to the Integrations tab
Select "MCP Servers"
Click "Add New Server"
Use the configuration below based on your operating system

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

JSON

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

From the repository

Install the npm package @perplexity-ai/mcp-server and run it via npx -y in stdio mode, or deploy as an HTTP server using Docker or Node.js. Set the PERPLEXITY_API_KEY environment variable to your API key from the Perplexity API Portal. Configure clients by adding a mcpServers entry in their respective config files (e.g., ~/.cursor/mcp.json for Cursor). Optional environment variables include PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS, PERPLEXITY_BASE_URL, PERPLEXITY_LOG_LEVEL, and PERPLEXITY_PROXY for proxy support.

Claude Desktop / Cursor

Paste into your MCP client config file to install this server.

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "perplexity": {
            "perplexity-ask": {
                "command": "npx",
                "args": [
                    "-y",
                    "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
                ],
                "env": {
                    "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

McpServers

{
    "perplexity-ask": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": [
            "-y",
            "@chatmcp/server-perplexity-ask"
        ],
        "env": {
            "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
        }
    }
}

# Perplexity API Platform MCP Server [![Install in Cursor](https://custom-icon-badges.demolab.com/badge/Install_in_Cursor-000000?style=for-the-badge&logo=cursor-ai-white)](https://cursor.com/en/install-mcp?name=perplexity&config=eyJ0eXBlIjoic3RkaW8iLCJjb21tYW5kIjoibnB4IiwiYXJncyI6WyIteSIsIkBwZXJwbGV4aXR5LWFpL21jcC1zZXJ2ZXIiXSwiZW52Ijp7IlBFUlBMRVhJVFlfQVBJX0tFWSI6IiJ9fQ==)   [![Install in VS Code](https://custom-icon-badges.demolab.com/badge/Install_in_VS_Code-007ACC?style=for-the-badge&logo=vsc&logoColor=white)](https://vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=perplexity&config=%7B%22type%22%3A%22stdio%22%2C%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40perplexity-ai%2Fmcp-server%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%22PERPLEXITY_API_KEY%22%3A%22%22%7D%7D)   [![Add to Kiro](https://img.shields.io/badge/Add_to_Kiro-9046FF?style=for-the-badge&logo=data:image/svg+xml;base64,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&logoColor=white)](https://kiro.dev/launch/mcp/add?name=perplexity&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40perplexity-ai%2Fmcp-server%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%22PERPLEXITY_API_KEY%22%3A%22your_key_here%22%7D%7D)   [![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/%40perplexity-ai%2Fmcp-server?style=for-the-badge&logo=npm&logoColor=white&color=CB3837)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@perplexity-ai/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](https://www.perplexity.ai/account/api/group) 2. Replace `your_key_here` in the configurations below with your API key 3. (Optional) Set timeout: `PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS=600000` (default: 5 minutes) 4. (Optional) Set custom base URL: `PERPLEXITY_BASE_URL=https://your-custom-url.com` (default: https://api.perplexity.ai) 5. (Optional) Set log level: `PERPLEXITY_LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG|INFO|WARN|ERROR` (default: ERROR) ### Claude Code ```bash claude mcp add perplexity --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here" -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server ``` Or install via plugin: ```bash export PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here" claude # Then run: /plugin marketplace add perplexityai/modelcontextprotocol # Then run: /plugin install perplexity ``` ### Codex ```bash codex mcp add perplexity --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here" -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server ``` ### Cursor, Claude Desktop, Kiro, Windsurf, and VS Code Most clients can be configured manually using the same `mcpServers` wrapper in their client config (as shown for Cursor). If a client has a different schema, check its docs for the exact wrapper format. For manual setup, these clients all use the same `mcpServers` structure: | Client | Config File | |--------|-------------| | Cursor | `~/.cursor/mcp.json` | | Claude Desktop | `claude_desktop_config.json` | | Kiro | `.kiro/settings/mcp.json` | | Windsurf | `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` | | VS Code | `.vscode/mcp.json` | ```json { "mcpServers": { "perplexity": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"], "env": { "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } } ``` ### 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: ```bash export PERPLEXITY_PROXY=https://your-proxy-host:8080 ``` If your proxy needs a username and password, use: ```bash 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, run the server in HTTP mode. #### Environment Variables | Variable | Description | Default | |----------|-------------|---------| | `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY` | Your Perplexity API key | *Required* | | `PERPLEXITY_BASE_URL` | Custom base URL for API requests | `https://api.perplexity.ai` | | `PORT` | HTTP server port | `8080` | | `BIND_ADDRESS` | Network interface to bind to. Defaults to loopback. Set to `0.0.0.0` to expose on all interfaces. | `127.0.0.1` | | `ALLOWED_ORIGINS` | CORS origins (comma-separated). Defaults to empty (no cross-origin browser requests). Set to an explicit allowlist (e.g. `https://app.example.com`) or to `*` to allow any origin. | *(empty)* | | `ALLOWED_HOSTS` | Additional `Host` header values to accept (comma-separated). Loopback hosts on `PORT` are always allowed. Add the public hostname when binding to `0.0.0.0`. | *(loopback only)* | #### Docker ```bash docker build -t perplexity-mcp-server . docker run -p 8080:8080 -e PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here perplexity-mcp-server ``` #### Node.js ```bash export PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=your_key_here npm install && npm run build && npm run start:http ``` The server will be accessible at `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. - **EOF / Initialize Errors**: Some strict MCP clients fail because `npx` writes installation messages to stdout. Use `npx -yq` instead of `npx -y` to suppress this output. For support, visit [community.perplexity.ai](https://community.perplexity.ai) or [file an issue](https://github.com/perplexityai/modelcontextprotocol/issues). ---

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