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Official · runs locally

Perplexity MCP server

Yes. perplexity.ai publishes the official Perplexity MCP server as an npm package that runs on your computer. The registry lists no hosted URL.

Maintained by
perplexity.ai
Runs
On your computer npm
Community servers
1 by third parties in the MCP Registry
Registry version
1.2.1

Where the Perplexity server is listed

01Setup

How to connect the Perplexity MCP server

Every client below starts the same local command. Pick yours. It runs on your computer. Check the project’s README for any API key or environment variable it needs.

Claude (web, desktop and mobile)

This server runs locally, so it works in the Claude desktop app, not in the browser or on mobile. Open Settings → Developer → Edit Config, add this, then restart Claude:

claude_desktop_config.json 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

  1. 1
    Run this in your terminal: 
    claude mcp add perplexity -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server
    Add --scope user to use it in every project, or --scope project to share it through .mcp.json.
  2. 2 Check it with claude mcp list.

ChatGPT

We found no Perplexity plugin in ChatGPT’s directory. ChatGPT only connects to remote MCP servers, so a local server like this one does not work there directly.

Cursor

Add to Cursor

One click if the app is installed, or add this to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (or .cursor/mcp.json in a project) , then check it under Settings → MCP.

~/.cursor/mcp.json 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code

Add to VS Code

One click if the app is installed, or add this to .vscode/mcp.json in your project , then start the server from the file or the MCP view. It is used by Copilot agent mode.

.vscode/mcp.json 
{
  "servers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Windsurf

Add this to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json , then refresh the MCP list in Cascade.

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Codex CLI

Add this to ~/.codex/config.toml , then restart Codex.

~/.codex/config.toml 
[mcp_servers.perplexity]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"]
Where it runs
On your computer, started by the client. Browser and mobile versions of Claude and ChatGPT cannot start local servers.
Keys
Check the project’s README for any API key or environment variable it needs.

02Capabilities

What the Perplexity MCP server can do

Real-time web search, reasoning, and research through Perplexity's API

From the official MCP Registry entry.

03Servers

Official vs community Perplexity MCP servers

2 servers for Perplexity in the official MCP Registry. “Official” means the registry entry is tied to perplexity.ai or Perplexity’s own GitHub account; community servers are built by anyone else.

  • Official Perplexity API Platform v1.2.1

    Real-time web search, reasoning, and research through Perplexity's API

    Runs
    Local · npm @perplexity-ai/mcp-server
    Registry
    ai.perplexity/mcp-server
    Published
    Aug 2026
    Config for this server

    Claude Code

    claude mcp add perplexity -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server

    Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop (mcpServers)

    {
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@perplexity-ai/mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}
  • Community perplexity v1.0.2

    Search the web, generate AI responses, and create embeddings with real-time information

    Runs
    Local · PyPI mcparmory-perplexity
    Registry
    com.mcparmory/perplexity
    Published
    May 2026
    Source
    mcparmory/registry
    Config for this server

    Claude Code

    claude mcp add perplexity -- uvx mcparmory-perplexity

    Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop (mcpServers)

    {
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcparmory-perplexity"
      ]
    }
  }
}

04FAQ

Perplexity MCP questions

Is there an official Perplexity MCP server?

Yes. The official Perplexity MCP server is published by perplexity.ai as the npm package @perplexity-ai/mcp-server. It runs on your computer; the registry lists no hosted URL.

How do I add the Perplexity MCP server to Claude Code?

Run: claude mcp add perplexity -- npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server. Add --scope user to make it available in every project.

How do I use the Perplexity MCP server in Cursor or VS Code?

In Cursor, add it to ~/.cursor/mcp.json under "mcpServers" as a command server running npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server. In VS Code, add it to .vscode/mcp.json under "servers". Both apps also accept the one-click install links on this page.

Does Perplexity work in ChatGPT?

We found no Perplexity plugin in ChatGPT’s directory, and ChatGPT only connects to remote MCP servers.

Should I use an official or a community Perplexity MCP server?

Start with the official server: it is run by perplexity.ai. The 1 community server is built by third parties; remote ones route your data through their own hosts and local ones usually need an API key.

Sources: the official MCP Registry , checked October 20, 2026. Client config formats follow each client’s own docs. This site is independent and not affiliated with Perplexity, Anthropic or OpenAI.

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