perplexity-mcp
Provides web search functionality using Perplexity AI's API, enabling search queries with optional recency filters.
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-mcpsearch the web for the latest news on artificial intelligence this week"
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 MCP server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides web search functionality using Perplexity AI's API. Works with the Anthropic Claude desktop client.
Example
Let's you use prompts like, "Search the web to find out what's new at Anthropic in the past week."
Related MCP server: perplexity-mcp
Glama Scores
Components
Prompts
The server provides a single prompt:
perplexity_search_web: Search the web using Perplexity AI
Required "query" argument for the search query
Optional "recency" argument to filter results by time period:
'day': last 24 hours
'week': last 7 days
'month': last 30 days (default)
'year': last 365 days
Uses Perplexity's API to perform web searches
Tools
The server implements one tool:
perplexity_search_web: Search the web using Perplexity AI
Takes "query" as a required string argument
Optional "recency" parameter to filter results (day/week/month/year)
Returns search results from Perplexity's API
Installation
Installing via Smithery
To install Perplexity MCP for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:
npx -y @smithery/cli install perplexity-mcp --client claudeRequires UV (Fast Python package and project manager)
If uv isn't installed.
# Using Homebrew on macOS
brew install uvor
# On macOS and Linux.
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
# On Windows.
powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"Environment Variables
The following environment variable is required in your claude_desktop_config.json. You can obtain an API key from Perplexity
PERPLEXITY_API_KEY: Your Perplexity AI API key
Optional environment variables:
PERPLEXITY_MODEL: The Perplexity model to use (defaults to "sonar" if not specified)Available models:
sonar-deep-research: 128k context - Enhanced research capabilitiessonar-reasoning-pro: 128k context - Advanced reasoning with professional focussonar-reasoning: 128k context - Enhanced reasoning capabilitiessonar-pro: 200k context - Professional grade modelsonar: 128k context - Default modelr1-1776: 128k context - Alternative architecture
And updated list of models is avaiable (here)[https://docs.perplexity.ai/guides/model-cards]
Cursor & Claude Desktop Installation
Add this tool as a mcp server by editing the Cursor/Claude config file.
"perplexity-mcp": {
"env": {
"PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"PERPLEXITY_MODEL": "sonar"
},
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"perplexity-mcp"
]
}Cursor
On MacOS:
/Users/your-username/.cursor/mcp.jsonOn Windows:
C:\Users\your-username\.cursor\mcp.json
If everything is working correctly, you should now be able to call the tool from Cursor.
Claude Desktop
On MacOS:
~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonOn Windows:
%APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
To verify the server is working. Open the Claude client and use a prompt like "search the web for news about openai in the past week". You should see an alert box open to confirm tool usage. Click "Allow for this chat".
Available Tools
1 toolperplexity_search_webC
Search the web using Perplexity AI with recency filtering
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| query | Yes | ||
| recency | No | month |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are present, so the description bears full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It does not mention whether the operation is read-only, any rate limits, authentication requirements, or side effects. The tool is likely a safe read operation but this is not confirmed, leaving the agent without critical behavioral context.
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 a single, concise sentence that efficiently conveys the core purpose. No redundant information is present. However, it could be slightly expanded to include more context without losing conciseness, hence a 4 rather than 5.
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?
For a tool with no output schema, no annotations, and two parameters with no schema descriptions, the description is severely lacking. It does not specify what the search returns (type of content, structure), any usage limits, or prerequisites. An agent cannot reliably determine if this tool is appropriate for a given task without additional external knowledge.
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 0%, meaning the schema provides no parameter descriptions. The description adds only 'with recency filtering' which hints at the recency parameter but does not explain the query parameter or the meaning of recency enum values (day, week, month, year). This is insufficient for an agent to form correct parameter values without additional knowledge.
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 action ('search'), the resource ('web'), the specific service ('Perplexity AI'), and includes a key feature ('recency filtering'). This is specific and unambiguous, avoiding tautology by adding value beyond the tool name.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool or when to consider alternatives. Since there are no sibling tools, the lack of usage context is less critical, but the description could still mention typical use cases (e.g., 'for up-to-date web results with time constraints'). Currently, it merely rephrases the tool name.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
TDQS
There is only one tool, so no ambiguity exists. The agent will always select this tool for web search tasks.
The single tool name follows a clear verb_noun pattern (perplexity_search_web), which is consistent and intuitive.
Having only one tool is minimal but acceptable for a narrowly focused 'search' server; however, it feels thin and could benefit from additional related tools.
The server only provides web search with recency filtering, lacking features like search result extraction, multiple search modes, or context handling, which limits its usefulness for comprehensive tasks.
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.
Live AI-native web search with citations. One tool for every MCP client. Flat per-request pricing.
Scrape, crawl and search the web for AI agents via MCP.
Related MCP Servers
- FlicenseNot gradedqualityDmaintenanceAllows Claude or other MCP-compatible AI assistants to search the web and get up-to-date information using the Perplexity API, with features for filtering results by time period.8
- AlicenseAqualityDmaintenanceEnables AI assistants to perform web searches and retrieve real-time information using Perplexity AI's Sonar models, with support for multiple search modes and easy integration with MCP clients.51MIT
- AlicenseNot gradedqualityBmaintenanceEnables web search through Exa or Parallel APIs for MCP-compatible AI clients like Cursor and Claude Code.211MIT
- AlicenseNot gradedqualityCmaintenanceConnects AI assistants to Perplexity AI's search API, enabling natural language web search with fine-grained control over recency, citations, images, and model parameters directly from MCP clients like Claude.666MIT
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