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Docs navigation: OverviewHow Quellenkontor is structured
Getting started

Documentation

Everything you need to integrate: from your first call and the four access methods to webhooks, error codes and the reference for each dataset.

At a glance
Base URL
https://api.quellenkontor.dev/v1
Key
Authorization: Bearer $QK_KEY
MCP server
https://mcp.quellenkontor.dev/v1
OpenAPI
https://api.quellenkontor.dev/v1/openapi.json
SDK
npm install @quellenkontor/sdk pip install quellenkontor
CLI
npm install -g @quellenkontor/cli

How Quellenkontor is structured

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Quellenkontor provides verified values from German employment and social security law. Every value comes with its legal basis, an official source and the day it takes effect. There are two kinds of datasets:

  • Tables hold official values with a period of validity, for example the minimum wage (Mindestlohn), social security contribution ceilings (Beitragsbemessungsgrenzen) or values for meals and accommodation in kind (Sachbezugswerte). You query them for an effective date and get the value that applies on that date.
  • Calculators apply a statutory rule to your input, for example the notice period (Kündigungsfrist) under § 622 BGB or the working days between two dates in a given state.

You reach both with the same key through four access methods. The responses have the same fields everywhere, whether they come from the REST API, the SDK, the command line or the MCP server.

The four access methods

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Access methodGood forDocs
REST APIany programming language, direct HTTP calls, your own clients generated from the OpenAPI descriptionREST API
SDKJavaScript, TypeScript and Python, with types, a timeout and automatic retriesJavaScript, Python
CLIterminal, shell scripts, cron jobs and CSV exportCLI
MCP serverAI agents in Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code and other clientsMCP server

First steps

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  1. Sign up for free. New accounts get 500 requests a month, no credit card required.
  2. Generate a key in your account and store it as the environment variable QK_KEY.
  3. Follow the quickstart: your first request with curl, the SDK, the CLI or MCP.
  4. Read Effective dates and validity and look up the dataset you need in the reference.

All documentation pages

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Getting started

QuickstartFrom sign-up to your first real response in four steps. All you need is an email address and a terminal.

Fundamentals

AuthenticationOne key works for all four access methods. This page shows how to send it, store it safely and replace it without downtime.Effective dates and validityEvery value applies from a specific day. Here is how to query values for any date, spot upcoming changes and handle gaps.Responses and CSVHow responses are structured, how numbers and dates are encoded and how to get lists as CSV into Excel or your database.

Access methods

REST APIThe HTTP interface for any programming language. Every dataset answers GET requests with JSON, and lists are also available as CSV.JavaScript SDKThe official package for Node.js 18 and later. No dependencies, with types for every response.Python SDKThe official package for Python 3.9 and later, using only the standard library. Every method returns a dict with the same fields as the API.CLIWith qk you query any dataset in the terminal, export lists as CSV and use values in scripts and cron jobs.MCP serverA remote MCP server with one tool per dataset. Agents look values up instead of guessing and cite the source.

Reference

All datasetsA separate page for each dataset with endpoints, parameters, all response fields, real examples and error cases.

Individual datasets: Minimum wage, Apprentice pay, Care minimum wage, Contribution ceilings, Contribution rates, Meal and lodging values, Garnishment exemptions, Midi-job zone, Mini-job levies, Artists' social levy, Compensatory levy, Tax-free amounts, Travel expenses, Night and holiday premiums, Company car, Basic tax allowance, Notice period, Vacation entitlement, Maternity protection, Public holidays, Working days, Retirement age, Rest breaks.

Operations

WebhooksOn the Pro plan and above, Quellenkontor reports every new or changed value to your server. That way you keep values current without checking yourself.ErrorsEvery error comes with a fixed code, an explanation in German and, where relevant, the affected parameter.Quotas and limitsEvery plan has a monthly quota. Only requests that return a result are counted.ChangelogEvery change to the data, with date and evidence. The same entries trigger the webhooks.

Something missing or unclear? Write to us and we will extend the docs.