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Connect ModusBrain to Perplexity Computer

Perplexity Computer connects as a remote MCP client, so ModusBrain must be served over HTTP and reachable at a public HTTPS URL. Perplexity does not run modusbrain serve (stdio) the way Claude Code does — it needs a reachable endpoint:

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1. Serve ModusBrain over HTTP (host side)

  • --bind 0.0.0.0 is required. Since v0.34, --http defaults to 127.0.0.1, so without it the tunnel reaches the server but the connection is refused (ECONNREFUSED).
  • --public-url must match the tunnel. The OAuth issuer in the discovery metadata has to line up with the URL Perplexity actually hits (RFC 8414 §3.3), or OAuth client-credentials auth fails.

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2. Expose it with a tunnel

See the ngrok-tunnel recipe for a persistent tunnel.

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3. Create credentials

Two supported auth paths. OAuth 2.1 client credentials (recommended, v0.26.0+). Perplexity is a cloud service, so it holds whatever credential you give it. OAuth is the correct choice: least-privilege scopes + short-lived rotating access tokens instead of a long-lived full-access secret. Mint a client and print the connector fields in one step (on the brain host):
Or register separately and pass the creds (works anywhere, no DB needed):
connect --oauth prints the Issuer URL + Client ID + Client Secret to paste in step 4. Legacy bearer token (simplest, best for local/personal):
(Perplexity is a GUI connector, so there’s no --install — connect prints the exact values to paste in step 4.)

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4. Add the connector in Perplexity

  1. Open Perplexity (requires Pro subscription).
  2. Go to Settings → Connectors (or MCP Servers).
  3. Add a new remote connector:
    • URL: https://YOUR-DOMAIN.ngrok.app/mcp
    • Authentication: API Key / Bearer Token, or OAuth client credentials
    • Paste the token (bearer) or client_id + client_secret (OAuth).
  4. Save.

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Verify

In a Perplexity conversation, ask it to use your brain:
Have it call get_brain_identity (whose brain this is), then list_skills (everything it can do).

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Notes

  • Perplexity Computer is available to Pro subscribers; both the Mac app and web version support remote MCP connectors.
  • The Mac app can also use a local MCP server (modusbrain serve stdio) if you’d rather not expose an HTTP endpoint.
  • A modusbrain auth create token is a long-lived, full-access secret. Keep it private and prefer a scoped token where possible.