ExpenseLM

ExpenseLM MCP Server enables programmatic access to ExpenseLM data through your preferred AI agents. By running a local MCP server, you can securely supply your ExpenseLM API key and let your AI tools query expenses, insights, and advice as part of your automation workflows.

How to use

To use the ExpenseLM MCP Server with an MCP client, you configure the client to connect to a local MCP endpoint and provide your ExpenseLM API key. On Mac, you run the Mac-specific launcher and point the client at the expenselm MCP server. On Windows, you use the Windows launcher path provided in the setup. Your AI agent can then ask for expense data, insights, and actionable advice through the MCP interface.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before starting: you should have uv installed and Python 3.9 or newer. You must also obtain an ExpenseLM API key. Use these steps to set up and run the MCP server with your MCP client.

Mac installation and setup are described in the following configuration example. Save the JSON snippet to a file that your MCP client reads for server configuration.

Windows installation and setup are described in the following configuration example. Save the JSON snippet to a file used by your MCP client to connect to the local MCP server.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "expenselm": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "expenselm-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "EXPENSELM_API_KEY": "Replace with your ExpenseLM API Key",
        "MCP_TIMEOUT": "200000"
      }
    }
  }
}

Additional setup notes

The MCP server does not expose a remote HTTP URL in the provided setup. You connect to a local stdio server via the specified command and arguments for your platform. Remember to securely store your ExpenseLM API key and avoid exposing the key in logs or shared configurations.

Security and maintenance

Treat your ExpenseLM API key as a secret. Do not commit it to version control or expose it in shared configuration files. Use environment variable management practices to protect keys, and rotate keys if you suspect they have been compromised. When updating the MCP server, follow your usual software update process and re-apply any required environment configurations.

Troubleshooting tips

If the MCP client cannot connect, verify that the EXPENSELM_API_KEY is correctly set in the environment and that MCP_TIMEOUT provides enough time for initialization in your environment. Ensure the uvx or uv launcher is installed and available in your system PATH. If you encounter permission issues on macOS, review your shell profile and allowances for executing external commands.

Examples of client usage patterns

• Query recent expenses and extract insights through your AI agent to identify spending patterns.
• Retrieve expense categories and approvals status to guide budgeting decisions.
• Combine expense data with AI-generated summaries to prepare reports for stakeholders.