# Stacks Blockchain API

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For the complete OpenAPI spec, navigate [here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hirosystems/stacks-blockchain-api/master/openapi.yaml).
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The Stacks Blockchain API is a REST API developed and hosted by [Hiro](https://www.hiro.so/) that extends the [Stacks Node RPC API](/reference/api/stacks-node-rpc.md) with additional indexed endpoints. While every Stacks node exposes a minimal set of RPC endpoints (account balances, contract calls, transaction broadcasting), the Blockchain API continuously ingests and indexes on-chain activity into a PostgreSQL database, making it possible to query transaction history, token transfers, smart contract events, and paginated lists of blocks — data that is not directly available from a Stacks node alone.

The public base URL is `https://api.hiro.so`. No infrastructure setup is required, so you can start querying immediately.

<details>

<summary>Who is this API for?</summary>

The Stacks Blockchain API is the recommended API for wallets, dApps, explorers, and general developers who need rich query capabilities without running their own node. It proxies all standard [Stacks Node RPC](/reference/api/stacks-node-rpc.md) endpoints and adds the `/extended/` family of indexed endpoints on top.

If you need a more decentralized setup or want direct access to the raw node RPC without a third-party service, see the [Stacks Node RPC API](/reference/api/stacks-node-rpc.md). For exchange or institutional integrations using the Coinbase Mesh standard, see the [Stacks Mesh API](/reference/api/stacks-mesh-api.md).

</details>

### Key features

* **Real-time data ingestion** -- Continuously indexes blockchain activity as it happens
* **Cached responses** -- Optimized performance through intelligent caching strategies
* **Complete data access** -- Transaction history, smart contracts, accounts, and blocks

### Usage

```bash
curl -L 'https://api.hiro.so/extended' -H 'Accept: application/json'
```

For more usage examples, see [Usage](/reference/api/stacks-blockchain-api/usage.md).

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All Stacks Blockchain API responses include rate limit headers that help you monitor your API usage.
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Need help building with the Stacks Blockchain API? Reach out on the **#api** channel on [Discord](https://stacks.chat/) under the Hiro Developer Tools section.
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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.stacks.co/reference/api/stacks-blockchain-api.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.