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API definition packages provide typed interfaces for interacting with various Hive network services. These packages keep the core WAX library lightweight while allowing you to add only the API definitions you need.

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Overview

The WAX SDK uses a modular approach to API definitions. Rather than bundling all possible API endpoints in the core library, separate packages provide definitions for different services:
  • JSON-RPC APIs: Core Hive node APIs (database_api, network_broadcast_api, etc.)
  • REST APIs: External services like HAF-based APIs
This approach reduces bundle size and allows you to install only what you need.

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Available API packages

Here are the official API definition packages:

JSON-RPC API

@hiveio/wax-api-jsonrpcFull JSON-RPC API definitions for Hive nodes.

HAF Block Explorer

@hiveio/wax-api-hafbeBlock Explorer REST API definitions.

Reputation Tracker

@hiveio/wax-api-reputation-trackerReputation tracking REST API definitions.

Balance Tracker

@hiveio/wax-api-balance-trackerAccount balance tracking API definitions.

Account History

@hiveio/wax-api-hafahHAF Account History REST API definitions.

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Using JSON-RPC APIs

The JSON-RPC API package provides definitions for standard Hive node APIs.

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Installation

npm install @hiveio/wax-api-jsonrpc

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Basic usage

import { createHiveChain } from "@hiveio/wax";
import { ApiDatabaseApiMethods } from "@hiveio/wax-api-jsonrpc";

const chain = await createHiveChain();

// Extend chain with database_api definitions
const extended = chain.extend<{
  database_api: ApiDatabaseApiMethods
}>();

// Now you have full type support and validation
const accounts = await extended.api.database_api.find_accounts({
  accounts: ["alice", "bob"]
});

console.log(accounts);

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Available JSON-RPC APIs

The package includes definitions for:
  • database_api: Query blockchain data
  • network_broadcast_api: Broadcast transactions
  • block_api: Retrieve blocks and block data
  • account_by_key_api: Find accounts by public key
  • rc_api: Resource credit information

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Using REST APIs

REST API packages provide definitions for external services built on HAF (Hive Application Framework).

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Installation

Install the REST API package you need: 
# HAF Block Explorer
npm install @hiveio/wax-api-hafbe

# Account History
npm install @hiveio/wax-api-hafah

# Reputation Tracker
npm install @hiveio/wax-api-reputation-tracker

# Balance Tracker
npm install @hiveio/wax-api-balance-tracker

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Basic usage

import { createHiveChain } from "@hiveio/wax";
import type { HafbeApi } from "@hiveio/wax-api-hafbe";

const chain = await createHiveChain();

// Extend with HAF Block Explorer REST API
const extended = chain.extendRest<HafbeApi>({
  // API configuration
});

// Make REST API calls with full type support
const blockData = await extended.restApi['hafbe-api'].blocks.byNumber({
  blockNumber: 12345
});

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Creating custom API definitions

You can create your own API definitions for custom services:

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For JSON-RPC APIs

import { createHiveChain, TWaxApiRequest } from "@hiveio/wax";

// Define request and response interfaces
interface CustomRequest {
  param1: string;
  param2: number;
}

interface CustomResponse {
  result: string;
}

// Define API structure
type CustomApi = {
  custom_api: {
    custom_method: TWaxApiRequest<CustomRequest, CustomResponse>
  }
};

// Use it
const chain = await createHiveChain();
const extended = chain.extend<CustomApi>();

const result = await extended.api.custom_api.custom_method({
  param1: "value",
  param2: 42
});

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For REST APIs

import { createHiveChain } from "@hiveio/wax";

// Define REST API structure
type CustomRestApi = {
  'my-service': {
    users: {
      byId: {
        params: { userId: string };
        result: { name: string; email: string };
      }
    }
  }
};

// Configure endpoint structure
const chain = await createHiveChain();
const extended = chain.extendRest<CustomRestApi>({
  'my-service': {
    users: {
      byId: {
        urlPath: "{userId}"
      }
    }
  }
});

// Make requests
const user = await extended.restApi['my-service'].users.byId({
  userId: "123"
});

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API definition generator

WAX provides a tool to automatically generate API definitions from OpenAPI/Swagger specifications: 
npm install -g @hiveio/wax-spec-generator
Use it to create API definition packages: 
wax-spec-gen --input swagger.json --output ./my-api-defs
This generates TypeScript types and validators for your API, ready to use with WAX.

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Benefits of API packages

Type safety

Full TypeScript support with autocomplete and validation.

Smaller bundles

Only include the APIs you actually use.

Versioning

Independent versioning for each API package.

Custom APIs

Easy to add support for custom services.

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Example: Multi-API application

Here’s an example using multiple API packages together: 
import { createHiveChain } from "@hiveio/wax";
import { ApiDatabaseApiMethods } from "@hiveio/wax-api-jsonrpc";
import type { HafbeApi } from "@hiveio/wax-api-hafbe";
import type { HafahApi } from "@hiveio/wax-api-hafah";

// Create chain and extend with multiple APIs
const chain = await createHiveChain();

const extended = chain
  .extend<{
    database_api: ApiDatabaseApiMethods
  }>()
  .extendRest<HafbeApi & HafahApi>({
    // REST API configuration
  });

// Use JSON-RPC API
const accounts = await extended.api.database_api.find_accounts({
  accounts: ["alice"]
});

// Use HAF Block Explorer REST API
const blocks = await extended.restApi['hafbe-api'].blocks.byNumber({
  blockNumber: 12345
});

// Use Account History REST API
const history = await extended.restApi['hafah-api'].accounts.history({
  accountName: "alice"
});

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Best practices

Don’t install all API packages if you only use a few endpoints. Keep your bundle size small by installing only the packages you actually use.
Let TypeScript infer types from the API definitions rather than manually typing responses:
// Good - type is inferred
const accounts = await api.database_api.find_accounts({ accounts: ["alice"] });

// Unnecessary - don't manually type what's already inferred
const accounts: AccountsResult = await api.database_api.find_accounts(...);
Extending the chain creates new instances. Cache the extended chain to avoid recreating it:
// Create once
const extendedChain = chain.extend<ApiTypes>();

// Reuse
await extendedChain.api.database_api.find_accounts(...);
await extendedChain.api.database_api.get_dynamic_global_properties();

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Next steps

API extensions guide

Learn more about extending APIs.

TypeScript examples

See complete examples using APIs.

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