Introduction to MCP

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging standard that allows AI applications to connect with external tools, APIs, and data sources in a structured and secure way. By running an MCP server, you can expose your own functions and data to compatible AI clients, enabling them to call your tools directly in conversations.

The ExpenseLM MCP Server provides AI-accessible tools for expense management, making it easy to integrate expense tracking, reporting, and related operations into AI-powered workflows.

Prerequisites

ExpenseLM Key

To use ExpenseLM MCP server, you will need an ExpenseLM account, an API key, and of course recorded some expense in the ExpenseLM Web Portal.

To get the key is very easy. Just login to the web portal, and click the menu item "User Settings". Then for the field "API Key", check the "Eye" icon to display the key and copy it for use.

Python and uv (Python Package Manager)

The ExpenseLM MCP Server is implemented in Python and uses the uv package manager for fast, reliable dependency management.

• Python 3.9+ installed
• uv installed (pip install uv or see uv docs for platform-specific installation)
• Access to a Claude Desktop or Perplexity Desktop client with MCP support
• macOS or Windows environment

Setup Guide

Configure for Claude Desktop (Mac & Windows)

• Locate your Claude Desktop config file (create the file if not exists):
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
  • Windows: %AppData%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (e.g. C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json)
• Add a new entry for the ExpenseLM MCP Server under "mcpServers":

MacOS:

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

Windows:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "expenselm": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "tool",
        "run",
        "expenselm-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "EXPENSELM_API_KEY": "Your ExpenseLM API Key",
        "MCP_TIMEOUT": "200000"
      }
    }
  }
}

• Restart Claude Desktop. The ExpenseLM tools should now be available.

Configure for Perplexity Desktop (Mac)

• In Perplexity Desktop for Mac, navigate to "Settings" -> "Connectors". Click "Add Connector".
• Enter ExpenseLM MCP Server configuration like the below screenshot. Replace the environment variable "EXPENSELM_API_KEY" with your own key.