Important

This project currently uses the free tier of ExchangeRate-API, which may have limitations.

📊 Exchange Alert Automation

A Python-based automation tool that checks the daily USD to COP exchange rate (or any pair you configure) and sends an email alert if the rate exceeds a specified threshold.
Ideal for freelancers, travelers, or anyone monitoring currency fluctuations.

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✉️ Email Notification Preview

Below is a sample email generated by the system:

It clearly shows the base currency (e.g., USD) and the target currency (e.g., COP), along with the current exchange rate and timestamp.

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🚀 Features

• 📈 Fetches real-time exchange rates from ExchangeRate-API
• 📨 Sends email notifications via SMTP when your defined threshold is exceeded
• 🕒 Automatically runs once per day
• 🧱 Built with a clean and modular OOP architecture
• 🔐 Uses environment variables through .env for secure configuration
• 🪵 Logs exchange rate activity and errors to a local file

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📦 Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Dependencies:

requests
schedule
python-dotenv

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⚙️ Setup

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/Harold2828/ExchangeAlert.git
cd ExchangeAlert

2. Configure Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the root directory:

# Exchange Alert Configuration
EXCHANGERATE_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
EXCHANGERATE_BASE_CURRENCY=USD
EXCHANGERATE_TARGET_CURRENCY=COP
THRESHOLD=4200

# SMTP Configuration
EMAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
EMAIL_PORT=587
EMAIL_SENDER=you@example.com
EMAIL_PASSWORD=your_app_password
EMAIL_RECIPIENT=recipient@example.com

# Runtime Configuration
RUN_TIME=09:00

🔐 Important: Never commit this file. Use secure tools to manage secrets in production.

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3. Gmail App Password Setup (If Using Gmail SMTP)

If your email uses Gmail with 2FA enabled, you must create an App Password:

🔐 Steps:

1. Visit: https://myaccount.google.com/
2. Navigate to Security → Enable 2-Step Verification if not yet enabled.
3. Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
4. Select:
   • App: Mail
   • Device: Other (e.g., Exchange Alert)
5. Generate and copy the 16-character password.
6. Paste it into your .env as EMAIL_PASSWORD.

❗ Do not use your regular Gmail password — it will fail with a 534 error.

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4. Run the Script

python main.py

• ✅ Checks the current exchange rate immediately
• ✅ Sends an email alert if the rate exceeds your threshold
• 🕒 Then waits and reruns daily at the specified RUN_TIME

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📁 Project Structure

exchange_alert/
├── config.py
├── exchange_rate_service.py
├── email_notifier.py
├── exchange_monitor.py
├── scheduler.py
├── main.py
├── .env
├── exchange_alert.log
└── assets/
    └── screenshot_email.png

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🛠️ Customization

Variable	Description
THRESHOLD	Exchange rate to trigger the alert
RUN_TIME	Daily execution time (e.g., 09:00)
EXCHANGERATE_BASE_CURRENCY & TARGET_CURRENCY	Currency pair to monitor
EMAIL_*	Email credentials and recipient settings

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🧪 Testing Tip

To test email alerts manually:

1. Set THRESHOLD=1 in .env
2. Run:

python main.py

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🔒 Security Notes

• .env and *.log are excluded via .gitignore
• For production, consider using secure email services like SendGrid or Mailgun