• DATA
  • ANALYSIS
  • FORMAT
  • HUMAN

How to retrieve economic timeseries data with your AI

Connect the BLS Public Data API to your agent once. From then on, you can pull specific economic series into your chat.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I get BLS timeseries data using my AI?

Give your agent a BLS series ID, and it will fetch the historical data for you. This brings the numbers straight into your conversation for immediate use. You'll see the specific data points and trends right in the chat.

The outcomes

Where the data goes

The AI handles the heavy lifting of data retrieval.

DATA

Raw economic values

The agent uses get_bls_timeseries_data to fetch the specific numbers you asked for. You get the exact historical values for the series ID you provided.

ANALYSIS

Trend identification

With the data in your chat, your agent can calculate changes or spot shifts in the indicators. You can ask it to find specific patterns in the numbers.

FORMAT

Structured tables

The agent organizes the API response into clean, readable formats. You can have it present the data as a list or a structured table.

HUMAN

Your final review

The AI fetches and organizes the data, but you decide what it means. You remain responsible for the final interpretation and any decisions made from the data.

The workflow

What your AI does when the series ID arrives.

The AI acts as the bridge between your prompt and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  1. Parse the request

    Your agent identifies the specific BLS series ID you want to look up from your message.

    get_bls_timeseries_data

  2. Fetch the data

    The agent calls the API to pull the historical time series for that ID.

    get_bls_timeseries_data

  3. Format the results

    The agent takes the raw data and turns it into a readable structure like a table.

    get_bls_timeseries_data

  4. Deliver to chat

    The agent presents the final economic data directly in your conversation.

    get_bls_timeseries_data

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to get the data you need.

Starting points

Replace the series IDs in these examples with the actual IDs you need from the BLS website.

BLS Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_47awxtKfX9CEteo5y3jUQDLTbO4ppm7vv5ysYpcO/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — BLS capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bls-public-data-api-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_47awxtKfX9CEteo5y3jUQDLTbO4ppm7vv5ysYpcO/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Get the historical timeseries data for series ID CUUR0000SA0

  • Pull the last 12 months of data for series ID CPIAUCSL

  • Fetch the data for series ID CES000000000 for my analysis

  • Retrieve the timeseries for series ID UNRATE and show it in a table

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect BLS Public Data API once, then ask.

Click the link to connect. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can immediately start asking your agent for economic data.

Connect BLS Public Data API to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI change data on the BLS website?

    No. The AI can only read data from the API. It has no permission to modify any official records.

  • 02

    Do I need to find the series IDs myself?

    Yes. You need to provide the specific BLS series ID in your prompt so the AI knows exactly what to fetch.

  • 03

    Can the AI create charts from this data?

    The AI can describe trends and format data into tables, but it cannot generate image files like PNGs or JPEGs.

  • 04

    Does the AI handle the API authentication?

    Yes. Once you connect the MCP, the AI handles the technical connection details automatically.

  • 05

    Can the AI download the data as a CSV file?

    No. The AI retrieves the data into your chat interface. It cannot write files directly to your local hard drive.

  • More questions about BLS Public Data API? The Connector page answers them. See everything the BLS Public Data API Connector can do

Connect BLS to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more