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Perplexity MCP server

AI Research · remote · Up · auth · Docs + endpoint checked 2026-10-15

Perplexity has an official hosted MCP server at https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp. It uses OAuth or Bearer API key over Streamable HTTP (also local stdio package). Agents can use: perplexity_search, perplexity_ask, perplexity_research. Last checked 2026-10-16 06:06 PT: Up · auth.

Also available as: Perplexity (local stdio)

Works in
ClaudeClaude CodeCursor
Access
Read only
Credits
Every call uses credits
Plan
Paid API usage (an API organization that can pay for usage)
Useful for
SDRs, AEs, Customer success, Marketing

Perplexity MCP endpoint and transport

https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp
Transport
Streamable HTTP (also local stdio package)
Docs
Official Perplexity MCP docs

Connect Perplexity without code

Perplexity's docs confirm it works in Claude. You don't need a terminal or a config file. Check Perplexity's docs first: some vendors give you a personal URL or an API key to use in place of the plain endpoint.

Claude (web and desktop app)

If Perplexity shows up when you browse connectors in Claude, connect it from there instead. That skips steps 2 to 4.

  1. In Claude, open Customize → Connectors.
  2. Click + Add, then Add custom connector.
  3. Name it “Perplexity”, paste the server URL https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp, and click Continue.
  4. Review the sign-in settings Claude detected and click Add.
  5. Click Connect and sign in to Perplexity. Then ask Claude something like “What can the Perplexity connector do?”

On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors → Add → Custom → Web. Each person then connects it from Customize → Connectors. Free plans can add one custom connector.

Steps from the Claude Help Center: support.claude.com, checked 2026-10-16
From Perplexity's docs: OAuth sign-in requires being an admin of a Perplexity API organization that can pay for usage; clients without OAuth use an API key as a bearer token. claude.ai is added as a custom connector with the URL.Source: docs.perplexity.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Developer setup (Claude Code, Cursor)

Add this to .mcp.json (Claude Code, project root) or ~/.cursor/mcp.json (Cursor). Remove the // comment line if your client requires strict JSON.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "url": "https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp"
      // headless alternative: "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_PERPLEXITY_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}
  1. Add the endpoint to your client config (above), or as a custom connector in Claude.
  2. Complete the OAuth sign-in. In Claude Code, run /mcp and pick the server.
  3. Test it with a prompt like: “List the tools the Perplexity MCP server exposes.”

Perplexity MCP authentication

OAuth or Bearer API key

Sign in with OAuth, or pass an API key as a Bearer token for headless use.

What it can change

Read only The documented tools only read data. None of them create, change, delete or send anything.

Source: docs.perplexity.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Cost and credits

Every call uses credits

Tool calls are billed at standard Perplexity API pricing to the connected API key or to the API organization chosen at sign-in; the organization's rate limits apply.

Source: docs.perplexity.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Plan required

Paid API usage (an API organization that can pay for usage)

Source: docs.perplexity.ai, checked 2026-10-16

Admin and governance

Controls Perplexity itself provides. Settings inside Claude or ChatGPT aren't counted here.

What the Perplexity MCP server can do

Perplexity MCP status

Up · auth HTTP 401 · 51 ms · checked 2026-10-16 06:06 PT. Full status and history.

Recipes that use Perplexity

Perplexity MCP FAQ

What is the Perplexity MCP server URL?

https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp

How does Perplexity MCP authenticate?

OAuth or Bearer API key.

Does Perplexity MCP work with Claude and Cursor?

Any MCP client that supports Streamable HTTP (also local stdio package) can connect, including Claude Code and Cursor through mcp.json. Add the endpoint and complete the OAuth or API key flow.

Can I use Perplexity in Claude without code?

Yes. Perplexity's docs confirm it works in Claude. Add it as a connector in the app settings and sign in. No terminal or config file needed.

Can the Perplexity MCP server change my data?

No. The tools in Perplexity's docs only read data.

Does Perplexity MCP use credits?

Every call uses credits. Tool calls are billed at standard Perplexity API pricing to the connected API key or to the API organization chosen at sign-in; the organization's rate limits apply.

What Perplexity plan do I need for MCP?

Paid API usage (an API organization that can pay for usage).

Is the Perplexity MCP server official?

Yes. It's documented on docs.perplexity.ai, last checked 2026-10-15.

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