# zkSync Era API Quickstart

> How to get started building on zkSync Era using Alchemy

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/docs/llms.txt).

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  <a href="https://dashboard.alchemy.com/signup">get started today</a>.
</Tip>

zkSync is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, leveraging zkRollup technology. It provides low gas fees, high throughput, and enhanced user privacy while maintaining a secure and decentralized architecture.

The zkSync Era API enables you to interact with the zkSync Era network. You can submit transactions, query state changes, and more, while benefiting from the scalability and security zkSync Era offers.

## Send your first request on Alchemy

Let's use the [`viem`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/viem) package to create a zkSync Era client connected to Alchemy and fetch the latest block number!

<CodeGroup>
  ```text npm
  npm install --save viem
  ```

  ```text yarn
  yarn add viem
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Create a client connected to Alchemy

<CodeGroup>
```js
import { createPublicClient, http } from "viem"; 
import { zkSync } from "viem/chains";

const client = createPublicClient({
  chain: zkSync,
  transport: http("https://zksync-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_ALCHEMY_API_KEY"),
});
```
</CodeGroup>

Now that you've created a client connected to Alchemy, you can continue with some basics:

## Get the latest block number

<CodeGroup>
```js
const blockNumber = await client.getBlockNumber();
console.log("Current block number:", blockNumber);
```
</CodeGroup>

## Get an address balance

<CodeGroup>
```js 
const balance = await client.getBalance({ address: "0xab5801a7d398351b8be11c439e05c5b3259aec9b" });
console.log("Balance (ETH):", Number(balance) / 1e18);
```
</CodeGroup>

## Read block data

<CodeGroup>
```js
const block = await client.getBlock({
  blockNumber: blockNumber, // from previous example
});
console.log(block);
```
</CodeGroup>

## Fetch a transaction by hash

<CodeGroup> 
```js 
const tx = await client.getTransaction({ hash: "0xYOUR_TX_HASH" });
console.log(tx);
```
</CodeGroup>

## Fetch a transaction receipt

<CodeGroup>
```js
const receipt = await client.getTransactionReceipt({
  hash: "0xYOUR_TX_HASH"
});
console.log(receipt);
```
</CodeGroup>

# zkSync Era APIs

For the full list of zkSync Era APIs, see the [zkSync Era API Endpoints](/docs/chains#zksync-apis).