Configuring CKAN MCP Server on Perplexity Pro

This guide explains how to integrate the CKAN MCP Server into Perplexity Pro using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). With this integration, you can query hundreds of open data portals (such as data.gov or dati.gov.it) directly from your Perplexity chat.

Prerequisites

A Perplexity Pro account.

The MCP server endpoint URL (you can use the public one: https://ckan-mcp-server.andy-pr.workers.dev/mcp).

Setup Procedure

1) Accessing Connector Management

Open Perplexity.

Click the "+" (Attach) icon in the message input bar.

Select Connectors & sources.

Click on Connect external app (or navigate to your Profile Settings > Apps to add a new custom MCP server).

2) Server Configuration

In the configuration screen perplexity, fill in the fields as follows:

Name: CKAN MCP Server

Description (optional): Connector to explore CKAN-based Open Data portals.

MCP Server URL: Enter the endpoint URL: https://ckan-mcp-server.andy-pr.workers.dev/mcp

Select No Authentication on Authorization Type and HTTP Streamable for Connection Type.

Consent: Check the box "I am aware that custom connectors can introduce risks" to confirm you trust the source.

Save: Click the button in the bottom right to confirm.

Note on errors: If you see an error regarding "automatic registration," please double-check that the URL is typed correctly and that the server is currently reachable.

3) Using the Connector

Once added, the server may not appear immediately in the connectors list (likely a UI/UX bug).

Click "+" -> Connectors & sources.

Enable CKAN MCP Server from the list ckan_mcp_server

You can now start asking questions in natural language.

4) Example Prompts

Once the connector is active, Perplexity will use the CKAN server tools to provide precise answers:

"Search data.gov for datasets related to climate change in California and summarize the available formats."

"List the organizations available on the UK open data portal."

"Find datasets from the Italian Ministry of Health published in the last year."