The Perplexity MCP Server provides AI-powered research capabilities through browser automation of Perplexity's web interface, offering intelligent web research, persistent conversations, and developer tooling without API key requirements.
Key Capabilities:
Intelligent Web Research: Perform deep searches and get detailed summaries on any topic without API limitations
Persistent Conversations: Maintain context across multi-turn interactions with local SQLite chat storage
Content Extraction: Parse clean article text from URLs, handle dynamic JavaScript pages, and automatically parse GitHub repositories
Developer Tooling: Retrieve technical documentation, discover and compare APIs, and analyze code for deprecated patterns
Enhanced Privacy: All processing and conversation history handled locally for greater data privacy
Available Tools:
search: Configurable research queriesget_documentation: Technical documentation with examplesfind_apis: API discovery for development needscheck_deprecated_code: Code analysis for technical debtextract_url_content: Web content parsing with GitHub integrationchat_perplexity: Context-aware persistent conversations
Technical Advantages: Keyless operation, cost-free usage, local data processing, and SQLite-based history storage.
Provides AI-powered research capabilities through Perplexity's infrastructure without using any API key. Enables web searches, documentation retrieval, API discovery, code analysis, and persistent chat functionality using Perplexity AI.
Offers TypeScript-first implementation as a core feature of the MCP server.
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 MCP Serverresearch the latest advancements in quantum computing and summarize key breakthroughs"
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 Zerver
A minimalist research server implementing the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to deliver AI-powered research capabilities through Perplexity's web interface.
Research Capabilities
Intelligent Web Research: Search and summarize content without API limits
Persistent Conversations: Maintain context with local SQLite chat storage
Content Extraction: Clean article extraction with GitHub repository parsing
Developer Tooling: Documentation retrieval, API discovery, code analysis
Keyless Operation: Browser automation replaces API key requirements
Related MCP server: Perplexity AI MCP Server
Available Tools
Search (search)
Perform research queries with configurable depth
Returns raw text results
Get Documentation (get_documentation)
Retrieve technical documentation with examples
Returns structured documentation
Find APIs (find_apis)
Discover relevant APIs for development needs
Returns API listings and descriptions
Check Deprecated Code (check_deprecated_code)
Analyze code snippets for outdated patterns
Returns analysis report
Extract URL Content (extract_url_content)
Parse web content with automatic GitHub handling
Returns structured content metadata
Chat (chat_perplexity)
Persistent conversations with context history
Returns conversation state in JSON format
Getting Started
Prerequisites
Bun runtime
Node.js 18+ (for TypeScript compilation)
Installation
Configuration
Add to your MCP configuration file:
Usage
Initiate commands through your MCP client:
"Use perplexity to research quantum computing advancements"
"Ask perplexity-server for React 18 documentation"
"Begin conversation with perplexity about neural networks"
🔐 Pro Account Support (Optional)
Use your Perplexity Pro subscription for access to better models (GPT-5.1, Claude Sonnet 4.5) and higher limits.
One-Time Setup
A browser window will open. Log in using email (recommended for best compatibility), then close the browser. Your session is now saved!
Note: Google/SSO login may work but email login is more reliable with the browser automation.
Environment Variables
Variable | Default | Description |
|
| Browser profile directory |
|
| Set to |
Technical Comparison
Feature | This Implementation | Traditional APIs |
Authentication | None required | API keys |
Cost | Free | Usage-based |
Data Privacy | Local processing | Remote servers |
GitHub Integration | Native support | Limited |
History Persistence | SQLite storage | Session-based |
Troubleshooting
Server Connection Issues
Verify absolute path in configuration
Confirm Node.js installation with
node -vEnsure build completed successfully
Content Extraction
GitHub paths must use full repository URLs
Adjust link recursion depth in source configuration
Origins & License
based on - DaInfernalCoder/perplexity-researcher-mcp
refactored from - sm-moshi/docshunter
Licensed under GNU GPL v3.0 - View License
This project interfaces with Perplexity via browser automation. Use responsibly and ethically. Stability depends on Perplexity's website consistency. Educational use only.