Follow these steps to start the Perplexity MCP server and a chatbot in a Meshagent Room: Environment Variables Needed:
  • PERPLEXITY_API_KEY – Your API key for Perplexity

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Steps

  1. Install Meshagent CLI: 
    pip install "meshagent[all]"
  2. Sign Up & Authenticate:
  3. Launch the MCP Server as a Room Agent: 
    meshagent service test --room=test --role=agent --image=meshagent/mcp-perplexity-ask:latest --env MESHAGENT_PORT=8001 --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=YOUR_PERPLEXITY_API_KEY --port="num=8001 path=/webhook liveness=/ type=meshagent.callable" --name=mcp-perplexity-ask-service-test
    • This creates a Meshagent Room called test, running the MCP server in the cloud.
    • Room and all attached services close automatically if inactive.
  4. Join a Chatbot to the Room: 
    meshagent chatbot join --room=test --agent-name=mcp-perplexity-ask --name=mcp-perplexity-ask --toolkit=mcp-perplexity-ask
    • This attaches a chatbot to your room, enabling it to use Perplexity MCP tools.
    • Supports adding multiple toolkits per agent.
    • You’ll receive a link to the room in the command output.
  5. Test in the Browser:
    • Visit the provided room link and send a message to the agent.
    • Interact with Perplexity MCP server tools live in the Meshagent Room!
Summary of Required Environment Variables:
  • PERPLEXITY_API_KEY: Your Perplexity API key

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Project Level Deployment (Production)

Deploying at the project level lets your MCP server and chatbot appear in every new Room, making them always available without manual setup per-room.
  1. Create Persistent MCP Server Service: 
    meshagent service create --role=agent --image=meshagent/mcp-perplexity-ask:latest --env MESHAGENT_PORT=8001 --env PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=YOUR_PERPLEXITY_API_KEY --port="num=8001 path=/webhook liveness=/ type=meshagent.callable" --name=mcp-perplexity-ask-service
  2. Create Persistent Chatbot Service: 
    meshagent service create --image="meshagent/cli:latest" --port="num=9001 path=/agent liveness=/ type=meshagent.callable participant_name=mcp-perplexity-ask-chatbot" --env="MESHAGENT_PORT=9001" --name="mcp-perplexity-ask-chatbot-service" --command="meshagent chatbot service --agent-name=mcp-perplexity-ask-chatbot --toolkit=mcp-perplexity-ask"
  • With this setup, the MCP server and chatbot will auto-join every new Room in your Meshagent project.

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Tools Available

Connector for Perplexity API, to enable real-time, web-wide research.

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Summary of Provided Tools

Tool NameShort Description
perplexity_askEngages in a conversation using the Sonar API.
perplexity_reasonPerforms reasoning tasks using the Perplexity API.
perplexity_researchPerforms deep research using the Perplexity API.

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Tool Details

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perplexity_ask

Engages in a conversation using the Sonar API. Accepts an array of messages (each with a role and content) and returns an ask completion response from the Perplexity model.
ParameterTypeDescription
messagesarrayArray of conversation messages

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perplexity_reason

Performs reasoning tasks using the Perplexity API. Accepts an array of messages (each with a role and content) and returns a well-reasoned response using the sonar-reasoning-pro model.
ParameterTypeDescription
messagesarrayArray of conversation messages

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perplexity_research

Performs deep research using the Perplexity API. Accepts an array of messages (each with a role and content) and returns a comprehensive research response with citations.
ParameterTypeDescription
messagesarrayArray of conversation messages