Perplexity MCP: The Official Server and Custom Connectors

"Perplexity MCP" means one of two things. Perplexity runs its own MCP server, so Claude, Cursor or Codex can search the web through Perplexity. And Perplexity can use other MCP servers as connectors, so it can act in your apps. This guide covers both, from Perplexity's API documentation and its help center, checked October 22, 2026.

The short version: to use Perplexity from another agent, connect its hosted server at https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp (OAuth or an API key); tool calls are billed to your Perplexity API account. To give Perplexity new tools, open Plugins, choose Add custom › Connector › Add MCP connector, pick Remote and paste an HTTPS server URL. Local servers work only in the Mac app.

What does Perplexity's official MCP server do?

It gives another agent four Perplexity tools:

• perplexity_search: ranked web results with titles, URLs and snippets.
• perplexity_ask: a conversational answer with live web search.
• perplexity_research: deeper research with citations.
• perplexity_reason: step-by-step reasoning on a problem.

Calls are billed at Perplexity's standard API prices to the API key you connect, or to the organization you choose when signing in, and your organization's rate limits apply.

How do I add the Perplexity MCP server to Claude Code, Cursor or Codex?

The hosted server needs no install. In Claude Code:

claude mcp add --transport http perplexity https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp

In Cursor, add it to ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": { "url": "https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp" }
  }
}

In Codex, codex mcp add perplexity --url https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp. If you would rather run it locally, the package is @perplexity-ai/mcp-server, started with npx -y @perplexity-ai/mcp-server and an API key in PERPLEXITY_API_KEY. Our guides to Claude Code MCP, Cursor MCP and Codex MCP cover scopes, sign-in and timeouts for each.

How do I add an MCP connector to Perplexity?

For a remote server, which runs on the internet:

1. Open Plugins in the sidebar (or Customize › Connectors if Plugins is not there yet).
2. Choose Add custom › Connector › Add MCP connector and select Remote.
3. Enter a name and the MCP server URL, which must start with https://.
4. Optionally set the authentication (OAuth, API key or none) and the transport (Streamable HTTP or SSE).
5. Tick the box acknowledging the risks of custom connectors, click Add, then click the connector's card to sign in and turn it on.

The three-dot menu on the card edits or removes it later. Perplexity does not verify third-party servers, so add only ones you trust.

Can Perplexity use local MCP servers?

Only in the Mac app from the Mac App Store. Install the helper app PerplexityXPC from Plugins, then choose Add custom, give the server a name and the command that starts it, and save. When its status shows Running, turn it on under Sources on the Perplexity home page. Perplexity notes that local servers are not reviewed by Perplexity or Apple, so read an open-source server's code before you install it.

Can my whole team use a connector?

On Enterprise, members can add their own custom connectors only after an admin turns on Allow members to add custom connectors under Enterprise settings › Connectors; it is off by default. Only admins can share a connector with the organization, from the Permissions screen, and for OAuth connectors an admin can sign in once for everyone or let each member sign in.

A worked example: posting from Perplexity

Skryvo is a remote MCP server for social media, so it shows the connector flow. Add a remote connector named Skryvo with the URL https://api.skryvo.ai/mcp and OAuth, then sign in. Ask Perplexity to research a topic and "turn the three main points into a LinkedIn post for Tuesday at 9am": it drafts the post in your brand's voice, and Skryvo schedules it only after you approve. The Perplexity setup page has the details, and the agents page lists every other agent the same server works in.

Use Perplexity's server where you want sourced answers inside your coding agent, and Perplexity's connectors where you want its research to end in an action.