API Guides

Understand the common common features shared across APIs.

API Assistant MCP Server

The DWS MCP Server gives AI tools direct access to the Morningstar Direct Web Services (DWS) developer documentation, including API specifications, data point definitions, and guides. Connect it to your AI assistant, app builder, or code editor to find the data you need and build integrations against the DWS APIs.

How It Works

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI tools connect to external sources of information. When you connect an AI tool to the DWS MCP Server, the tool can look up current API specifications and data point definitions as it answers your questions or writes code, rather than relying on what it learned in training.

The server provides documentation only and doesn't return financial data. To retrieve data, the code you build calls the DWS APIs directly, using your own Morningstar credentials. To get credentials, see the Quick Start.

Ways to Use It

The server works with any tool that supports remote MCP servers. Common uses include:

Tool typeExamplesUse it to
Chat assistantsClaude, ChatGPT, GeminiAsk in plain language what data is available, which endpoints return it, and how to call them.
App buildersLovable, ReplitBuild an integration or proof of concept against the DWS APIs.
Code editorsVS Code, Cursor, WindsurfFind endpoints and generate client code while you develop.

Connect Your AI Tool

The server has a single remote endpoint, and you don't need credentials to connect to it:

https://dws.morningstar.com/discovery-assistant/mcp

To connect:

  1. In your AI tool, open the settings for connectors, integrations, or MCP servers. The name and location of these settings vary by tool, so check your tool's documentation if you can't find them.
  2. Add a new remote MCP server and paste the endpoint URL.
  3. If your tool asks for a name, enter one you'll recognize, such as Morningstar DWS.
  4. Save the server, and turn it on for your conversation or project if your tool requires it.

Example Questions

To check the connection, ask a question that needs the documentation.

"Which DWS API returns monthly returns for a fund, and what parameters does it take?" The answer should draw on the Time Series API documentation.