# Source: https://docs.perplexity.ai/docs/getting-started/integrations/mcp-server.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.perplexity.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Perplexity MCP Server

> Connect AI assistants to Perplexity's search and reasoning capabilities using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

## Overview

The Perplexity MCP Server enables AI assistants to access Perplexity's powerful search and reasoning capabilities directly within their workflows. Using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), you can integrate real-time web search, conversational AI, and advanced reasoning into any MCP-compatible client.

<Info>
  The **Model Context Protocol (MCP)** is an open standard that connects AI assistants with external data sources and tools. Learn more at [modelcontextprotocol.io](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction).
</Info>

## Installation

### One-Click Install

Get started instantly with these one-click installers:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Install in Cursor"
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    href="https://cursor.com/en/install-mcp?name=perplexity&config=eyJ0eXBlIjoic3RkaW8iLCJjb21tYW5kIjoibnB4IiwiYXJncyI6WyIteSIsIkBwZXJwbGV4aXR5LWFpL21jcC1zZXJ2ZXIiXSwiZW52Ijp7IlBFUlBMRVhJVFlfQVBJX0tFWSI6IiJ9fQ=="
  >
    Automatically configure the Perplexity MCP server in Cursor with one click.
  </Card>

  <Card
    title="Install in VS Code"
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    href="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"
  >
    Automatically configure the Perplexity MCP server in VS Code with one click.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Manual Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get Your API Key">
    <Card title="Generate API Key" icon="key" arrow="True" horizontal="True" iconType="solid" cta="Get Key" href="https://www.perplexity.ai/account/api/group">
      Navigate to the API Portal and generate a new key.
    </Card>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Your Client">
    Add the MCP server to your client configuration:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Claude Code">
        **Option 1: CLI Command (Recommended)**

        The easiest way to get started:

        ```bash  theme={null}
        claude mcp add perplexity --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here" -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server
        ```

        **Option 2: Plugin Install**

        Install via plugin:

        ```bash  theme={null}
        export PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here"
        claude
        # Then run: /plugin marketplace add perplexityai/modelcontextprotocol
        # Then run: /plugin install perplexity
        ```

        **Option 3: Manual Configuration**

        Add to your `claude.json`:

        ```json  theme={null}
        {
          "mcpServers": {
            "perplexity": {
              "type": "stdio",
              "command": "npx",
              "args": ["-y", "perplexity-mcp"],
              "env": {
                "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
              }
            }
          }
        }
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Cursor">
        We recommend using the one-click install above for setting up the MCP server in Cursor.

        If you prefer to configure it manually, add the following to your `mcp.json`:

        ```json  theme={null}
        {
          "mcpServers": {
            "perplexity": {
              "command": "npx",
              "args": ["-y", "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"],
              "env": {
                "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
              }
            }
          }
        }
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Codex">
        ```bash  theme={null}
        codex mcp add perplexity --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your_key_here" -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Other Clients">
        Most MCP-compatible clients (including Claude Desktop, VS Code, and Windsurf) use the `mcpServers` format. Configuration file locations:

        | Client             | Config File                             |
        | ------------------ | --------------------------------------- |
        | Cursor             | `~/.cursor/mcp.json`                    |
        | VS Code            | `.vscode/mcp.json`                      |
        | Claude Desktop     | `claude_desktop_config.json`            |
        | Windsurf           | `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`   |
        | Google Antigravity | `~/.gemini/antigravity/mcp_config.json` |

        **Standard `mcpServers` format:**

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

        **VS Code uses a slightly different format:**

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

        If your client doesn't work with these formats, check its documentation for the correct wrapper format.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Using">
    Restart your MCP client and start using Perplexity's tools in your AI workflows.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Available Tools

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="perplexity_search" icon="magnifying-glass">
    Direct web search using the Perplexity Search API. Returns ranked search results with titles, URLs, snippets, and metadata.

    **Best for:** Finding current information, news, facts, or specific web content.
  </Card>

  <Card title="perplexity_ask" icon="message">
    General-purpose conversational AI with real-time web search using the `sonar-pro` model.

    **Best for:** Quick questions, everyday searches, and conversational queries that benefit from web context.
  </Card>

  <Card title="perplexity_research" icon="book">
    Deep, comprehensive research using the `sonar-deep-research` model. Provides thorough analysis with citations.

    **Best for:** Complex topics requiring detailed investigation, comprehensive reports, and in-depth analysis.
  </Card>

  <Card title="perplexity_reason" icon="brain">
    Advanced reasoning and problem-solving using the `sonar-reasoning-pro` model.

    **Best for:** Logical problems, complex analysis, decision-making, and tasks requiring step-by-step reasoning.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  For detailed setup instructions, troubleshooting, and proxy configuration, visit our [GitHub repository](https://github.com/perplexityai/modelcontextprotocol).
</Info>