---
title: Quick Start
description: Get started with Universal Crypto MCP in under 5 minutes
category: Getting Started
keywords: [quickstart, tutorial, installation, setup]
order: 2
published: true
date: 2024-01-29
---
# Quick Start Guide
Get Universal Crypto MCP up and running in under 5 minutes.
<Callout type="info" title="Prerequisites">
- Node.js 18 or higher
- pnpm (recommended) or npm
- An Ethereum RPC endpoint (Infura, Alchemy, or local node)
</Callout>
## Installation
Install Universal Crypto MCP via pnpm:
```bash
pnpm add universal-crypto-mcp
```
Or using npm:
```bash
npm install universal-crypto-mcp
```
## Configuration
Create a `.env` file in your project root:
```bash
# RPC Endpoints
ETHEREUM_RPC_URL=https://eth-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_KEY
POLYGON_RPC_URL=https://polygon-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_KEY
# API Keys (optional)
COINGECKO_API_KEY=your_api_key
ETHERSCAN_API_KEY=your_api_key
```
<Callout type="warning" title="Security">
Never commit your `.env` file to version control. Add it to `.gitignore`.
</Callout>
## Your First Script
Create a file `index.ts`:
```typescript
import { UniversalCryptoMCP } from 'universal-crypto-mcp'
async function main() {
// Initialize the MCP server
const mcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({
chain: 'ethereum',
provider: process.env.ETHEREUM_RPC_URL!,
})
// Get ETH price
const price = await mcp.market.getPrice('ethereum')
console.log(`Current ETH price: $${price}`)
// Get token balance
const balance = await mcp.wallet.getBalance(
'0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f0bEb',
'USDC'
)
console.log(`USDC Balance: ${balance}`)
// Get gas price
const gas = await mcp.chain.getGasPrice()
console.log(`Current gas price: ${gas} gwei`)
}
main()
```
Run it:
```bash
npx tsx index.ts
```
Expected output:
```
Current ETH price: $2,345.67
USDC Balance: 1250.50
Current gas price: 25 gwei
```
## Using with Claude Desktop
Add Universal Crypto MCP to your Claude Desktop config:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"universal-crypto": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/universal-crypto-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"ETHEREUM_RPC_URL": "your_rpc_url"
}
}
}
}
```
Restart Claude Desktop and try:
> "What's the current price of Bitcoin?"
> "Check my ETH balance at 0x742d35..."
> "Show me gas prices across all chains"
## Common Operations
### Check Token Balance
```typescript
const balance = await mcp.wallet.getBalance(
'0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f0bEb',
'USDC'
)
```
### Get Token Price
```typescript
const price = await mcp.market.getPrice('ethereum')
const usdtPrice = await mcp.market.getPrice('tether')
```
### Swap Tokens
```typescript
const quote = await mcp.defi.getSwapQuote({
from: 'ETH',
to: 'USDC',
amount: '1',
chain: 'ethereum'
})
console.log(`1 ETH = ${quote.outputAmount} USDC`)
```
### Check DeFi Position
```typescript
const position = await mcp.defi.getPosition({
protocol: 'aave',
address: '0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc9e7595f0bEb'
})
console.log(`Supplied: ${position.supplied}`)
console.log(`Borrowed: ${position.borrowed}`)
```
## Multi-Chain Support
Switch between chains easily:
```typescript
// Ethereum
const ethMcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({ chain: 'ethereum' })
// Polygon
const polyMcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({ chain: 'polygon' })
// BSC
const bscMcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({ chain: 'bsc' })
// Arbitrum
const arbMcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({ chain: 'arbitrum' })
```
<Card
title="Supported Chains"
description="View all supported blockchain networks"
href="/docs/integrations/chains"
/>
## Error Handling
Always wrap calls in try-catch blocks:
```typescript
try {
const balance = await mcp.wallet.getBalance(address, 'USDC')
console.log(`Balance: ${balance}`)
} catch (error) {
if (error.code === 'INVALID_ADDRESS') {
console.error('Invalid Ethereum address')
} else if (error.code === 'NETWORK_ERROR') {
console.error('Network connection failed')
} else {
console.error('Unknown error:', error.message)
}
}
```
## Next Steps
<div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4 mt-8">
<Card
title="Core Concepts"
description="Understand the architecture and design"
href="/docs/architecture"
/>
<Card
title="API Reference"
description="Complete API documentation"
href="/docs/api/core"
/>
<Card
title="Building Agents"
description="Create AI agents with blockchain capabilities"
href="/docs/guides/building-agents"
/>
<Card
title="DeFi Integration"
description="Integrate with DeFi protocols"
href="/docs/integrations/defi"
/>
</div>
## Troubleshooting
### Module Not Found
If you see `Cannot find module 'universal-crypto-mcp'`:
```bash
# Clear cache and reinstall
rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm install
```
### RPC Connection Failed
Ensure your RPC URL is valid and accessible:
```typescript
// Test connection
const mcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({
chain: 'ethereum',
provider: process.env.ETHEREUM_RPC_URL!,
timeout: 5000, // 5 second timeout
})
await mcp.chain.getBlockNumber() // Should succeed
```
### Rate Limiting
If you're hitting rate limits:
```typescript
const mcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({
chain: 'ethereum',
provider: process.env.ETHEREUM_RPC_URL!,
cache: true, // Enable caching
rateLimit: {
requests: 100,
window: 60000, // per minute
}
})
```
<Callout type="success" title="All Set!">
You're now ready to build with Universal Crypto MCP. Check out our [tutorials](/docs/tutorials) for more examples.
</Callout>
## Getting Help
- **Documentation**: [Full docs](/docs)
- **GitHub Issues**: [Report bugs](https://github.com/nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp/issues)
- **Discord**: Join our community
- **Email**: support@universal-crypto-mcp.dev
