Perplexity MCP Server
Allows access to Perplexity API for chat completion with citations through the ask_perplexity tool
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@Perplexity MCP Serverexplain quantum computing in simple terms"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
Perplexity MCP Server
MCP Server for the Perplexity API.
:warning: Limitations:
The Claude Desktop client may timeout if Perplexity processing takes too long
This issue might be resolved if Claude Desktop implements support for long running operations and progress reporting in the future
Implementation updates to handle these features will be made if they become available
Components
Tools
ask_perplexity: Request chat completion with citations from Perplexity
Related MCP server: Perplexity Insight MCP Server
Quickstart
Install
Claude Desktop
On macOS:
~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonOn Windows:
%APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
"mcpServers": {
"Perplexity": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"mcp-server-perplexity"
],
"env": {
"PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your-perplexity-api-key"
}
}
}Available Tools
1 toolask_perplexityA
Perplexity equips agents with a specialized tool for efficiently gathering source-backed information from the internet, ideal for scenarios requiring research, fact-checking, or contextual data to inform decisions and responses. Each response includes citations, which provide transparent references to the sources used for the generated answer, and choices, which contain the model's suggested responses, enabling users to access reliable information and diverse perspectives. This function may encounter timeout errors due to long processing times, but retrying the operation can lead to successful completion. [Response structure]
id: An ID generated uniquely for each response.
model: The model used to generate the response.
object: The object type, which always equals
chat.completion.created: The Unix timestamp (in seconds) of when the completion was created.
citations[]: Citations for the generated answer.
choices[]: The list of completion choices the model generated for the input prompt.
usage: Usage statistics for the completion request.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| model | Yes | The name of the model that will complete your prompt. | |
| messages | Yes | A list of messages comprising the conversation so far. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden and adds valuable behavioral context: it discloses that responses include citations and choices, mentions timeout errors and retry advice, and details the response structure. However, it doesn't cover rate limits, authentication needs, or error handling beyond timeouts.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is front-loaded with purpose and usage, but includes a detailed response structure section that might be verbose for a tool description. Some sentences (e.g., about citations and choices) could be more concise, and the structure listing feels like documentation rather than concise guidance.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given no annotations, no output schema, and a simple 2-parameter tool, the description is reasonably complete: it explains purpose, behavioral traits (citations, timeouts), and response format. However, it lacks details on error types beyond timeouts and doesn't clarify if the tool is read-only or has side effects.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents both parameters (model and messages) thoroughly. The description adds no parameter-specific information beyond what's in the schema, meeting the baseline of 3 for high schema coverage without compensating value.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose as 'gathering source-backed information from the internet' with specific use cases like research and fact-checking. It distinguishes itself by mentioning citations and choices in responses. However, without sibling tools, differentiation isn't tested, and the verb 'ask' in the name isn't explicitly connected to the described functionality.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage scenarios ('research, fact-checking, or contextual data') but lacks explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives or prerequisites. No sibling tools exist, so comparative guidance isn't needed, but it doesn't specify constraints like query types or best practices.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
1 tool update
- First observed
ask_perplexity
TDQS
With only one tool, there is no possibility of confusion or overlap between tools. The tool 'ask_perplexity' has a singular, well-defined purpose for internet research with source-backed information, making it completely distinct by default.
The single tool name 'ask_perplexity' follows a clear verb_noun pattern and is the only naming convention present. There are no other tools to compare it to, so consistency is inherently perfect.
A single tool for a server named 'Perplexity MCP Server' feels thin and limited in scope. While the tool is specialized for research, the server's purpose suggests it could benefit from additional tools (e.g., for query refinement, citation management, or batch processing) to provide a more complete research workflow.
The tool surface is severely incomplete for a research-oriented server. It only offers a single query function without supporting operations like saving results, managing search history, filtering citations, or handling different query types. This creates significant gaps that will limit agent capabilities in research scenarios.
Maintenance
Resources
Unclaimed servers have limited discoverability.
Looking for Admin?
If you are the server author, to access and configure the admin panel.
Related MCP Connectors
Real-time web search, reasoning, and research through Perplexity's API
Enable AI assistants to perform web searches using Perplexity's Sonar Pro.
Google AI Overview answers and cited sources via the Apify Google AI Overview API, hosted MCP.
- QuallaaOAuthcom.quallaa
Talk to your public-facing AI from any MCP client — Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Cline, Windsurf.
Related MCP Servers
- AlicenseBqualityDmaintenanceFacilitates web search capabilities using Perplexity's API, allowing users to retrieve search results through Claude's interface.17MIT
- FlicenseNot gradedqualityDmaintenanceInterfaces with the Perplexity AI API to provide advanced question answering capabilities through the standardized Model Context Protocol, supporting multiple Perplexity models.-
- FlicenseBqualityDmaintenanceEnables interaction with Perplexity AI through MCP tools for chatting, searching, and retrieving documentation.51-
- AlicenseDqualityCmaintenanceEnables querying Perplexity AI models via Polza.ai for search, research, and model guidance.31MIT
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