Perplexity API key in the `.env` file instead of being in plain sight in the configuration

[chickymonkeys]

Hi there,

I think I am bumping into a similar issue as #10. I am configuring the MCP server on Kiro AI and if I try with the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "perplexity-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "${env:PERPLEXITY_API_KEY}"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

I get Error calling MCP tool: MCP error -32603: MCP error -32603: Perplexity API error: Request failed with status code 401. The API key is stored in a local .env file at the root of the project directory like the other API keys for MCP servers, which should be the correct behaviour for Kiro. However, if I put the API key directly in the mcp.json file, it works fine, but I would like to commit the mcp.json file with no API key in clear sight.

Thank you!