Perplexity MCP Server

An unofficial Model Context Protocol (MCP) server fork that provides AI assistants with Perplexity API capabilities including real-time web search, deep research, and advanced reasoning.

Available Tools

perplexity_ask

Real-time AI-powered answers with web search. Supports model selection for balancing speed and quality.

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | messages | array | Required. Conversation messages with role and content | | model | string | sonar (fast/cheap) or sonar-pro (high quality, default) | | stream | boolean | Enable streaming responses (default: false) | | return_images | boolean | Include relevant images in response (default: false) | | return_related_questions | boolean | Include follow-up suggestions (default: false) |

perplexity_research

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

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | messages | array | Required. Conversation messages with role and content | | reasoning_effort | string | low, medium (default), or high for research depth | | return_images | boolean | Include relevant images in response (default: false) | | return_related_questions | boolean | Include follow-up suggestions (default: false) |

perplexity_reason

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

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | messages | array | Required. Conversation messages with role and content | | stream | boolean | Enable streaming responses (default: false) |

perplexity_search

Direct web search using the Perplexity Search API. Supports single or batch queries.

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | query | string or array | Required. Single query or up to 5 queries for batch search | | max_results | number | Results per query (1-20, default: 10) | | max_tokens_per_page | number | Tokens per webpage (256-2048, default: 1024) | | country | string | ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code for regional results (e.g., US, GB) |

perplexity_research_async

Start an async deep research job for complex queries that may take several minutes.

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | messages | array | Required. Conversation messages with role and content | | reasoning_effort | string | low, medium (default), or high for research depth | | search_domain_filter | array | Domain allowlist/denylist (max 20) |

Returns a request_id to poll with perplexity_research_status.

perplexity_research_status

Check status and retrieve results from an async research job.

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | request_id | string | Required. The request_id from perplexity_research_async |

Common Parameters

The following parameters are available on perplexity_ask, perplexity_research, and perplexity_reason:

Generation Controls

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | temperature | number | Randomness (0-2). Default: 0.2 | | max_tokens | integer | Maximum response tokens | | top_p | number | Nucleus sampling (0-1). Default: 0.9 | | top_k | integer | Top-k sampling. 0 = disabled |

Search Filters

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | search_domain_filter | array | Domain list (max 20). Prefix with - to exclude | | search_mode | string | web (default), academic, or sec (SEC filings) |

Date Filters

| Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | search_recency_filter | string | day, week, month, or year | | search_after_date | string | Only results after date (MM/DD/YYYY) | | search_before_date | string | Only results before date (MM/DD/YYYY) | | last_updated_after | string | Only results updated after date (MM/DD/YYYY) | | last_updated_before | string | Only results updated before date (MM/DD/YYYY) |

Note: perplexity_search supports search_domain_filter and all date filters, but not generation controls or search_mode.

Installation

Windows Installer (Recommended for Windows)

Download and run the MSI installer for a one-click setup:

1. Download PerplexityMCP.msi from the Releases page
2. Run the installer and enter your Perplexity API key when prompted
3. The installer automatically configures Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex

The installer bundles Node.js, so no prerequisites are required.

Silent install:

msiexec /i PerplexityMCP.msi PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here" /qn

npm / npx

For manual installation or non-Windows platforms:

npx @perplexity-ai/mcp-server

Or install globally:

npm install -g @perplexity-ai/mcp-server

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 (default: 5 minutes)

Claude Code

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:

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

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

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 long research queries, increase PERPLEXITY_TIMEOUT_MS

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