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.

bash · remote HTTP

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 exchangerate-dev-mcp package. Add this object to the client's MCP configuration and replace the example value with your API key.

json · MCP client configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "exchangerate-dev": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "exchangerate-dev-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.

bash · authenticated remote request

curl "https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY"

Keep keys on the server

Do not place an API key in public browser JavaScript or commit it to source control. Use an environment variable or your client's secret configuration.

Tool reference

The server exposes seven tools. They use the same currency, forex, freshness, and quota contracts as the REST API.

Tool	Parameters	Use it for
`start_checkout`	`plan (basic or 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.
`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 10,000 calls per month. Plans change throughput and volume, while the currency data contract remains the same.

See pricing for current limits, or read the REST API reference for endpoint details.