Imf Data MCP Server

The IMF API allows roughly 10 requests / 5 seconds. `imfp` handles rate limiting and retries automatically.

Local serverstdio

What is the Imf Data MCP MCP server?

The IMF API allows roughly 10 requests / 5 seconds. imfp handles rate limiting and retries automatically. Exposed over MCP by the imf data mcp mcp server, that capability becomes something an assistant can invoke while it works, not something you go and do afterwards.

Adding it to your client

@modelcontextprotocol/inspector on npm is all you need. Most clients run it directly, so configuration is a few lines and a restart.

Its toolset

Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:

  • imf_list_databases — List all ~155 IMF databases with their IDs
  • imf_search_databases — Filter databases by keyword (e.g. "inflation", "trade")
  • imf_get_parameter_defs — List query dimensions for a database
  • imf_get_parameter_codes — List valid codes for a dimension, with optional search
  • imf_fetch_data — Fetch time series data with year range and dimension filters

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the imf data mcp mcp server does with a few real requests.

When to reach for it

Plenty of database access servers cover similar ground. The differences that matter in practice are scope of access and how much setup stands between you and a working tool call. Imf Data MCP's toolset — imf_list_databases, imf_search_databases, imf_get_parameter_defs and 2 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by c-cf; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

SyncDev reviews every entry in this directory against the project's own documentation before publishing, and revisits them as servers change.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
imf_list_databasesList all ~155 IMF databases with their IDs
imf_search_databasesFilter databases by keyword (e.g. "inflation", "trade")
imf_get_parameter_defsList query dimensions for a database
imf_get_parameter_codesList valid codes for a dimension, with optional search
imf_fetch_dataFetch time series data with year range and dimension filters

How to install the Imf Data MCP MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "imf": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["--from", "git+https://github.com/c-cf/imf-data-mcp", "imf-data-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Example prompts to try

  • Use Imf Data MCP to imf list databases.
  • Use Imf Data MCP to imf search databases.
  • Use Imf Data MCP to imf get parameter defs.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Imf Data MCP to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 5 tools (imf_list_databases, imf_search_databases, imf_get_parameter_defs, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Imf Data MCP directly.