Abstract API Quickstart

Introduction

Abstract is a Layer 2 (L2) network built on top of Ethereum, designed to securely power consumer-facing blockchain applications at scale with low fees and fast transaction speeds.

What is the Abstract API?

The Abstract API allows interaction with the Abstract network through a set of JSON-RPC methods. Its design is familiar to developers who have worked with Ethereum’s JSON-RPC APIs, making it intuitive and straightforward to use.

Getting Started Instructions

1. Choose a Package Manager (npm or yarn)

Select a package manager to manage your project’s dependencies. Choose between npm and yarn based on your preference or project requirements.

2. Set Up Your Project

Open your terminal and execute the following commands to create and initialize your project:

$
mkdir abstract-api-quickstart
>
cd abstract-api-quickstart
>
npm init --yes

$
mkdir abstract-api-quickstart
>
cd abstract-api-quickstart
>
yarn init --yes

This creates a new directory named abstract-api-quickstart and initializes a Node.js project within it.

3. Make Your First Request

Install Axios, a popular HTTP client, to make API requests:

$
npm install axios
>
# Or with yarn
>
# yarn add axios

Create an index.js file in your project directory and paste the following code:

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const axios = require('axios');
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const url = `https://abstract-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/${your-api-key}`;
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const payload = {
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  jsonrpc: '2.0',
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  id: 1,
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  method: 'eth_blockNumber',
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  params: []
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};
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axios.post(url, payload)
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  .then(response => {
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    console.log('Latest Block:', response.data.result);
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  })
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  .catch(error => {
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    console.error(error);
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  });

Remember to replace your-api-key with your actual Alchemy API key that you can get from your Alchemy dashboard.

4. Run Your Script

Execute your script to make a request to the Abstract mainnet:

$
node index.js

You should see the latest block information from Abstract’s mainnet outputted to your console:

$
Latest Block: 0x...

Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve made your first request to the Abstract network. You can now explore the various JSON-RPC methods available on Abstract and start building your dApps on this innovative platform.