Exchange rates in Claude

Give Claude currency exchange rates through the hosted MCP server, with no API key needed to connect. Keyless and Free access return rates 15 minutes late; paid plans get live rates.

Add the hosted server to Claude Code

Run the command below in Claude Code to add the hosted MCP server without an API key.

The endpoint is https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/, with the trailing slash, over Streamable HTTP. Tool discovery and calls work keyless.

claude mcp add --transport http exchangerate-dev https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/

Use a key for your own quota

Run the command below with your API key to use your own quota and limits.

It sends Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY. Free includes 5,000 requests a month and 10 requests a minute. Each MCP tool call counts as one API call against the same minute limit and monthly quota as its matching REST request.

claude mcp add --transport http exchangerate-dev https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/mcp/ --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Run the local bridge instead

Run the command below to connect Claude Code through the local npm bridge.

Use Node.js 20 or newer and an API key. The command sets EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY with -e before the double dash. Keyless use requires ALLOW_ANONYMOUS=true.

claude mcp add exchangerate-dev -e EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY -- npx -y @nusantara-ventures/exchangerate-mcp

Configure Claude Desktop

Add the configuration below to Claude Desktop's config file and replace YOUR_API_KEY.

On macOS, the file is ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. On Windows, use %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json.

Set EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY inside the config's env block because Claude Desktop does not read your terminal environment. Save, quit Claude Desktop fully, and reopen it. Servers load once at start.

{  "mcpServers": {    "exchangerate-dev": {      "command": "npx",      "args": [        "-y",        "@nusantara-ventures/exchangerate-mcp"      ],      "env": {        "EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"      }    }  }}

Ask Claude for a rate

Ask “How many Japanese yen is 100 euros right now?” Claude can use convert, which takes from, to and amount. The response includes the rate, the converted amount and a flag showing the rate was derived through USD.

“What was USD to IDR on 1 September?” uses get_range or get_rate. For the latest rate, get_rate takes base and quote; get_range returns rates over a date range.

Ask “Which currencies can you look up?” for list_currencies, or “Which central banks publish a rate?” for list_official_rate_tables.

What Claude can read and do

Nine tools give Claude access to rates, currency information and documentation. Alongside the tools above, get_usd_index returns an independently calculated USD index, search_docs searches documentation, and get_official_rate returns government-published rates.

Answers carry source, market_session, data_updated_at and a notice that rates are indicative, not for settlement or trading. Claude should quote the returned time.

start_checkout opens a plan checkout only after you confirm. Claude never buys anything on its own.

If something goes wrong

Check the config JSON if Claude Desktop shows no tools. A trailing comma is a common cause.

An invalid API key returns HTTP 401. A 429 means you reached the minute limit or monthly quota; wait for the retry time.