Give GitHub Copilot economic data

Q: How do I add Narwhal to GitHub Copilot in VS Code?

Create .vscode/mcp.json with an HTTP server entry, the Narwhal URL and an Authorization header backed by a password input. Start the server from MCP: List Servers and supply your key when VS Code asks.

Q: Where does Copilot CLI store my Narwhal key?

Copilot CLI stores the key in ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json after the add command. Keep that file private and out of version control, and never paste the key into a prompt or URL.

GitHub Copilot can call Narwhal through MCP in VS Code or Copilot CLI, with read-only tools and one shared REST and MCP quota. VS Code can prompt for your key and store it securely. Copilot CLI writes the key into its configuration file, so keep that file private.

Quick start

Get a free Narwhal key from https://narwhalapi.com/signup and keep it out of prompts and URLs.
On Business or Enterprise, have an admin enable the MCP servers in Copilot policy before connecting.
For VS Code, use version 1.99 or later and add the server configuration to .vscode/mcp.json.
Start Narwhal through MCP: List Servers and enter your key in the password prompt.
For Copilot CLI, use the separate add command and check the entry with /mcp show narwhal.

MCP configuration

The VS Code configuration uses a servers object with an HTTP entry and a password input for the header. The separate CLI command registers the same hosted endpoint in Copilot CLI.

.vscode/mcp.json

{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "NARWHAL_API_KEY",
      "description": "Narwhal API Bearer key",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "narwhal": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.narwhalapi.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:NARWHAL_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Copilot CLI

copilot mcp add --transport http \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_NARWHAL_API_KEY" \
  narwhal https://api.narwhalapi.com/mcp

VS Code asks for the key when the server first starts and stores it securely. The CLI writes the key to ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json; keep that file private and out of version control.

Tools you get

GitHub Copilot gets every read-only tool group through one Narwhal connection. Initialization and discovery use no quota, while each successful tool call uses one request from the allowance shared with REST.

Group	What you can ask for	Tools
Economic indicators	Ask for CPI, inflation, unemployment, labour force participation, GDP, GDP growth and trade by country; coverage differs by indicator.	`economics_get_cpi` `economics_get_inflation` `economics_get_unemployment` `economics_get_labour_force_participation` `economics_get_gdp` `economics_get_gdp_growth` `economics_get_trade` `economics_get_cpi_history` `economics_get_inflation_history` `economics_get_unemployment_history` `economics_get_labour_force_participation_history` `economics_get_gdp_history` `economics_get_gdp_growth_history` `economics_get_trade_history` `economics_read_series_observations`
Currency rates	Ask for current exchange rates, historical rates, currency conversions and rate bars for a currency pair.	`fx_get_rates` `fx_get_rate_history` `fx_convert_currency` `fx_get_rate_bars`
Commodity prices	Ask for spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, palladium, copper, WTI crude oil, and Brent crude oil, their price history, and physical palm oil prices (crude palm oil and fresh fruit bunches).	`commodities_get_spot_price` `commodities_get_price_history` `commodities_list_palmoil_physical_series` `commodities_get_palmoil_physical_price` `commodities_get_palmoil_physical_observations` `commodities_list_physical_series` `commodities_get_physical_series` `commodities_get_physical_latest` `commodities_get_physical_observations`
Releases and events	Ask for official economic release dates and event details before you plan a country briefing.	`economics_list_releases` `economics_get_release` `events_list` `events_get`
Public holidays	Ask for public holidays by country, holidays on a particular date or the next holiday.	`calendars_list_holidays` `calendars_get_holidays_on_date` `calendars_get_next_holiday`
Prediction market odds	Ask for prediction market topics and events with scalar, extreme, timing and binary outcomes, their history, and policy paths by authority.	`predictions_list_topics` `predictions_get_topic` `predictions_list_events` `predictions_get_scalar` `predictions_get_extreme` `predictions_get_timing` `predictions_get_binary` `predictions_get_scalar_history` `predictions_get_extreme_history` `predictions_get_timing_history` `predictions_get_binary_history` `predictions_get_policy_path` `predictions_get_policy_path_history`
Government bond yields	Ask for government bond yield curves for the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, and Canada through the same Narwhal connection.	`economics_get_yield_curve` `economics_get_yield_curve_history`

Example prompts

Get the latest unemployment value for Germany.
Show the available GBP/USD rate history.
Get the available palm oil price history.
Find the next public holiday in the United Kingdom.
Get the latest GDP growth value for the United States.

Common workflows

Check Germany's latest GDP observation

For Germany's latest GDP observation, call the economics tool economics_get_gdp with Germany selected.

Review rates for a currency pair

GBP/USD history comes from fx_get_rate_history with GBP as the base and ["USD"] as the quote currencies list. Set start_date to 2026-09-08 and end_date to 2026-09-14.

Inspect palm oil data in Copilot

Which fresh fruit bunch series do you need? Select one through commodities_list_palmoil_physical_series, then supply its series ID to commodities_get_palmoil_physical_observations for prices by native period.

Plan around a UK public holiday

Supply the United Kingdom and a starting date to calendars_get_next_holiday to find the next published holiday on or after that date.

Tips

Use an input of type promptString with "password": true in VS Code and reference it as ${input:NARWHAL_API_KEY} in the Authorization header.
Open MCP: List Servers from the Command Palette to start, stop or restart Narwhal and inspect its output.
Check the CLI entry with copilot mcp get narwhal if you need to inspect the registered server outside a session.
The Business and Enterprise MCP policy is off by default; Copilot Free, Pro, Pro+ and Max are not governed by it.

FAQ

How do I add Narwhal to GitHub Copilot in VS Code?

Create .vscode/mcp.json with an HTTP server entry, the Narwhal URL and an Authorization header backed by a password input. Start the server from MCP: List Servers and supply your key when VS Code asks.

Where does Copilot CLI store my Narwhal key?

Copilot CLI stores the key in ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json after the add command. Keep that file private and out of version control, and never paste the key into a prompt or URL.

Does Copilot need an admin to enable MCP?

Business and Enterprise require an admin to enable the MCP servers in Copilot policy. The policy is off by default and does not govern Copilot Free, Pro, Pro+ or Max.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Check
Narwhal does not show in VS Code	Check `.vscode/mcp.json` has a `servers` object and an entry with `"type": "http"`, then open `MCP: List Servers`.
A call returns `401 invalid_api_key`	Check that the supplied key is active and the Authorization value includes `Bearer` followed by a space and the key.
MCP is blocked for a Business or Enterprise account	Have an admin check the MCP servers in Copilot policy and enable it for your account.
The CLI entry is missing or uses the wrong URL	Inspect it with `copilot mcp get narwhal` and use exactly https://api.narwhalapi.com/mcp without a trailing slash.