Connect Claude Code
The quickest setup connects Claude Code directly to the first-party Streamable HTTP endpoint. Anonymous requests use a shared, IP-capped pool, so you can test the tools before creating an account. Free MCP rates arrive 15 minutes late, like other Free routes.
claude mcp add --transport http exchangerate-dev https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/The command registers https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/. After it succeeds, ask Claude to list currencies, fetch a rate, convert an amount, or retrieve a historical range.
Configure Claude Desktop or Cursor
Desktop clients that launch local stdio servers can use the maintained @nusantara-ventures/exchangerate-mcp package. Add this object to the client's MCP configuration and replace the example value with your API key.
{ "mcpServers": { "exchangerate-dev": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@nusantara-ventures/exchangerate-mcp"], "env": { "EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY": "exr_live_..." } } }}Authentication
The remote HTTP endpoint accepts anonymous demo calls. For attributed quota and production use, send your exchangerate.dev API key as a bearer token. The stdio bridge reads it from EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY.
curl "https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY"Tool reference
The server exposes nine tools. They use the same currency, forex, freshness, and quota contracts as the REST API.
| Tool | Parameters | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
start_checkout | plan (basic, plus, pro) | Open Checkout or billing management after explicit human confirmation; cancellation creates nothing. |
list_currencies | none | Discover supported currency codes, decimal precision, and derived-pair metadata. |
get_rate | base, quote, date? | Fetch a current or historical rate for one currency pair. |
get_usd_index | index (dxy-reconstructed or usd-strength) | Fetch a complete, time-aligned USD index with its version, weights, source, and observation time. |
convert | from, to, amount | Convert an amount at the current indicative rate with currency-aware rounding. |
get_range | base, symbols, start_date, end_date, cursor? | Retrieve a paginated daily time series for analysis or charting. |
list_official_rate_tables | none | List ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 country codes and government-published rate types for use with get_official_rate. |
get_official_rate | country, rate_type, base, quote, date?, direction? | Retrieve a government-published rate and its validity period for today on any plan or a past date on a paid plan. |
search_docs | query, limit? | Search canonical API guidance before answering setup, pricing, or sourcing questions. |
Freshness and source fields
Rate tools return source, market_session, and data_updated_at. Preserve these fields so an agent can distinguish an intraday observation from a daily reference and explain when the data changed.
- Rates are indicative references for software, analytics, research, and display.
- They are not executable quotes and must not be used for settlement or regulated trading.
- Historical gaps remain gaps; the service does not fabricate observations.
Limits and pricing
Each MCP tool call counts as one API call against the same per-minute limit and monthly quota as the equivalent REST request. A free key includes 5,000 calls per month. Free prices are 15 minutes late. Daily history is limited to 30 days on Free and 1 year on Basic; Plus and Pro reach back to 1999-01-04. MCP tools follow the same plan limits, including intraday access.
See pricing for current limits, or read the REST API reference for endpoint details.