---
title: Quick Start
description: Get up and running with FRED MCP Server in 5 minutes
icon: 'rocket'
---
# Quick Start Guide
Get the FRED MCP Server running with your AI assistant in just a few minutes. This guide will walk you through the fastest path to start querying economic data.
## Prerequisites
<Steps>
<Step title="Get a FRED API Key">
Visit [fred.stlouisfed.org/docs/api/api_key.html](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/docs/api/api_key.html) to register for a free API key.
<Info>
The API key is free and provides access to all FRED data. Registration takes less than a minute.
</Info>
</Step>
<Step title="Install Claude Desktop (or another MCP client)">
Download [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) or ensure you have another MCP-compatible client installed.
</Step>
</Steps>
## Installation
Choose your preferred installation method:
<Tabs>
<Tab title="Automatic (Smithery)">
The fastest way to install is using [Smithery](https://smithery.ai):
```bash
npx -y @smithery/cli install @stefanoamorelli/fred-mcp-server --client claude
```
This command will:
- Install the server
- Configure it for Claude Desktop
- Prompt you for your FRED API key
</Tab>
<Tab title="NPM Global">
Install globally via NPM:
```bash
npm install -g fred-mcp-server
```
Then add to your Claude Desktop config:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"fred-mcp": {
"command": "fred-mcp-server",
"env": {
"FRED_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
```
</Tab>
<Tab title="Docker">
Use the pre-built Docker image:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"fred-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"-e",
"FRED_API_KEY=your_api_key_here",
"stefanoamorelli/fred-mcp-server:latest"
]
}
}
}
```
</Tab>
</Tabs>
## Configuration
### Claude Desktop Configuration
<Accordion title="Finding your configuration file">
The Claude Desktop configuration file location varies by platform:
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Linux**: `~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
</Accordion>
Edit your `claude_desktop_config.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"fred-mcp": {
"command": "fred-mcp-server",
"env": {
"FRED_API_KEY": "your_actual_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
```
<Warning>
Replace `your_actual_api_key_here` with your actual FRED API key. Keep this key secure and never commit it to version control.
</Warning>
## Verify Installation
After configuration, restart Claude Desktop and verify the server is working:
<Steps>
<Step title="Restart Claude Desktop">
Completely quit and restart Claude Desktop to load the new configuration.
</Step>
<Step title="Check MCP Connection">
In Claude, you should see "fred-mcp" in the MCP servers list (look for the 🔌 icon).
</Step>
<Step title="Test a Query">
Try asking Claude:
```text
"What's the current US GDP growth rate?"
```
Claude should use the `fred_get_series` tool to fetch the data.
</Step>
</Steps>
## Your First Queries
Now that you're set up, try these example queries to explore FRED data:
### Basic Economic Indicators
<CodeGroup>
```text Unemployment Rate
"Show me the US unemployment rate for the last year"
```
```text Inflation
"What's the current inflation rate (CPI)?"
```
```text GDP Growth
"Get quarterly GDP growth rates for 2024"
```
</CodeGroup>
### Advanced Queries
<CodeGroup>
```text Search for Data
"Search for all inflation-related indicators"
```
```text Browse Categories
"Browse available economic categories"
```
```text Historical Analysis
"Compare unemployment rates during the last three recessions"
```
</CodeGroup>
## Common Series IDs
Here are some frequently used FRED series IDs:
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Key Economic Indicators">
- **GDP**: Real Gross Domestic Product
- **UNRATE**: Unemployment Rate
- **CPIAUCSL**: Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers)
- **CPILFESL**: Core CPI (Less Food and Energy)
- **PAYEMS**: All Employees, Total Nonfarm Payrolls
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Interest Rates">
- **DFF**: Federal Funds Effective Rate
- **DGS10**: 10-Year Treasury Rate
- **DGS2**: 2-Year Treasury Rate
- **TB3MS**: 3-Month Treasury Bill
- **MORTGAGE30US**: 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Stock Market">
- **SP500**: S&P 500 Index
- **DJIA**: Dow Jones Industrial Average
- **NASDAQCOM**: NASDAQ Composite Index
- **VIXCLS**: CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Housing">
- **HOUST**: Housing Starts
- **CSUSHPISA**: Case-Shiller Home Price Index
- **PERMIT**: Building Permits
- **MSACSR**: Monthly Supply of Houses
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
## Example Conversations
### Economic Analysis
```text
You: "Analyze the relationship between unemployment and inflation over the last decade"
Claude: I'll analyze the relationship between unemployment and inflation using FRED data...
[Uses fred_get_series to fetch UNRATE and CPIAUCSL data]
[Provides analysis with data visualization]
```
### Market Monitoring
```text
You: "Create a dashboard of key economic indicators for Q4 2024"
Claude: I'll gather the key economic indicators for Q4 2024...
[Uses multiple fred_get_series calls to fetch GDP, UNRATE, CPI, etc.]
[Presents organized data summary]
```
## Troubleshooting
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Server not appearing in Claude">
1. Ensure configuration file is valid JSON
2. Check the file path is correct for your OS
3. Restart Claude Desktop completely
4. Verify the server command is in your PATH
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="API Key errors">
- Verify your API key is valid at [fred.stlouisfed.org](https://fred.stlouisfed.org)
- Ensure the key is properly quoted in the config
- Check for extra spaces or characters
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="No data returned">
- Check the series ID is correct (case-sensitive)
- Verify the date range includes available data
- Try a known working series like "GDP" or "UNRATE"
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
## Next Steps
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card
title="Installation Guide"
icon="download"
href="/installation"
>
Detailed installation for all platforms
</Card>
<Card
title="API Reference"
icon="code"
href="/api-reference/overview"
>
Complete documentation of all tools
</Card>
<Card
title="Examples"
icon="flask"
href="/examples/basic-usage"
>
Learn with practical examples
</Card>
<Card
title="Common Series"
icon="list"
href="/resources/common-series"
>
Popular FRED series reference
</Card>
</CardGroup>
