How to Query Live Optimizely Data in Perplexity MacOS Desktop

Perplexity is an AI-powered research and answer engine that allows users to combine web search, structured data, and connected tools through a unified conversational interface. With Perplexity Desktop for macOS, users can bring local tools and data sources directly into their workflow using MCP, enabling fast, context-aware insights powered by live data.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging, open-source standard for connecting LLMs with external services and enterprise data sources. Using MCP Servers, AI clients such as Perplexity Desktop can securely interact with applications and data, performing actions, retrieving live information, and enabling natural language access to data.

CData MCP Server provides schema-aware context to AI tools — whether you're using it for AI-assisted code generation in IDEs like Cursor, or for querying live data through chat interfaces like Perplexity Desktop.

In this article, we guide you through installing CData API Driver for MCP Server, configuring the connection to Optimizely, and interacting with your live Optimizely data from Perplexity Desktop.

Step 1: Download and install CData API Driver for MCP Server

1. To begin, download CData API Driver for MCP Server
2. Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
3. Drag the MCP Server app into the Applications folder

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure MCP Server by connecting to Optimizely.

NOTE: Since you downloaded the application from the internet and not the Apple App Store, you may see a warning that the application was not opened because Apple could not verify its security. You may continue with the installation.

Installing a trusted, unverified App

CData's solutions are trusted across the globe by some of the largest software vendors in the world. That said, if you have any concerns about continuing, please consult with your IT and/or security team.

1. In the warning message that pops up, click "Done"
2. Open "System Settings" on your machine and navigate to the "Privacy & Security" page

3. Scroll down to the "Security" section and click "Open Anyway"
4. Authorize the installation (passkey or password)

Step 2: Configure the Connection to Optimizely

1. After installation, you can open CData API Driver for MCP Server from the Applications folder on your mac
2. Click the dropdown menu in MCP Configuration > Configuration Name and select "new configuration"
3. Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_api") and click "OK"

4. Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard.

   Start by setting the Profile connection property to the location of the Optimizely Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\Optimizely.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for Optimizely (see below).

   Optimizely API Profile Settings

   Generate a personal API token at app.optimizely.com/v2/profile/api in your Optimizely account settings.

   
5. Click "Connect" to authenticate with Optimizely.
6. Click "Save Configuration" to save the configuration

With MCP Server configured, you are ready to connect it to Perplexity Desktop.

Step 3: Connect MCP Server to Perplexity Desktop

1. Download the Perplexity Desktop application for macOS and sign in with your Pro or Premium account
2. Open Settings > Connectors. If the Perplexity Helper App is not installed, you will be prompted to download it. Install the Helper App, then restart Perplexity Desktop
3. After restarting, return to Settings > Connectors and click Add Connector
4. Select the Simple tab and assign a name for the connector (e.g., "CData Optimizely"). In the Command box, enter the absolute path to the MCP Server executable.

   For example:

   	/Applications/CData API Driver for MCP Server.app/Contents/Payload/jre/Contents/Home/bin/java \
   	-jar /Applications/CData API Driver for MCP Server.app/Contents/Payload/lib/cdata.mcp.api.jar \
   	cdata_api
   

   
5. Click Save. MCP Server should now appear in the connector list with a "Running" status

Step 4: Query Your Live Optimizely data in Perplexity Desktop

1. Open a new chat in Perplexity Desktop. Click the Sources toggle and enable MCP Server
2. Start asking questions about your Optimizely data. For example:

   "List all the tables available in my Optimizely data connection."

   

Build with MCP Server. Deploy with CData Drivers.

Download MCP Server for free and give your AI tools schema-aware access to live Optimizely data during development. When you're ready to move to production, CData Optimizely Drivers deliver the same SQL-based access with enterprise-grade performance, security, and reliability.

Visit the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and explore what's possible with MCP-powered AI workflows.