The Perplexity API MCP Server lets AI assistants call Perplexity's search and reasoning tools from inside their own workflows. It uses the Model Context Protocol, an open standard for connecting AI assistants to outside data sources and tools, so any MCP-compatible client can use it.
The server exposes four tools: perplexity_search, perplexity_ask, perplexity_research and perplexity_reason. Together they give assistants access to real-time web search, conversational answers and advanced reasoning.
It is aimed at developers and teams who work in AI clients such as Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Google Antigravity and Claude Desktop. There are two ways to connect. The hosted remote server at api.perplexity.ai/mcp needs no installation and supports sign-in with a Perplexity account or an API key. The local server is open source and runs over stdio, which suits clients that only support stdio servers or teams that need to pin a version.
Setup involves generating an API key in the API Portal and adding the server to the client's configuration file. The page gives configuration steps for each supported client.
Tool calls are billed at standard Perplexity API pricing to the API key or the organization chosen at sign-in, and that organization's rate limits apply. Signing in with Perplexity requires being an admin of an API organization that can pay for usage.
