> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lumera.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lumera REST API overview

> Learn the base URLs, authentication model, and response format for the LumeScope, LCD, and SN-API REST surfaces.

Lumera Protocol gives you three complementary REST API surfaces. The **Lumera LCD** endpoint speaks directly to the chain. Use it to query state and broadcast transactions with no middleware in the way. **LumeScope** sits in front of the network as a neutral, read-only aggregator. It decodes Action metadata for Cascade and Sense, tracks SuperNode hardware metrics, and assembles network-wide statistics. Your application does not have to reconstruct that data from raw chain state. **SN-API** is the HTTP gateway in front of the SuperNode network and carries Cascade file transfers. All three return JSON. LCD and LumeScope need no authentication for reads; SN-API uploads and private downloads require an ADR-036 signature.

## API surfaces

**Lumera LCD (native chain API)** is the standard Cosmos SDK REST interface served by any `lumerad` node. Use it when you need to submit transactions, query on-chain parameters, or access data that LumeScope does not index.

**LumeScope API** is a purpose-built aggregator that decodes, stores, and serves Lumera-specific data in developer-friendly shapes. It is the recommended starting point for application developers who want paginated Action lists, decoded metadata, and SuperNode health without writing their own chain-indexing logic.

**SN-API** is the HTTP gateway that fronts the SuperNode network for Cascade uploads and downloads. The JavaScript and Rust SDKs call it for you. Call it directly when you already hold an on-chain action ID and an upload signature. The direct SuperNode gRPC service is a separate, lower-level path documented in the [CascadeService reference](/api/grpc/cascade-service).

## Base URLs

| Network | LumeScope Base | LCD Base | SN-API Base |
| - | - | - | - |
| Mainnet | `https://lumescope.lumera.io` | `https://lcd.lumera.io` | `https://snapi.lumera.io` |
| Testnet | `https://lumescope.testnet.lumera.io` | `https://lcd.testnet.lumera.io` | `https://snapi.testnet.lumera.io` |

<Note>
  All examples in this documentation target mainnet. Replace the base URL with the testnet equivalent when developing against **lumera-testnet-2**.
</Note>

## Authentication

All LumeScope endpoints are **public**. No API key or bearer token is required. You can call any endpoint directly from a browser, curl, or your application's HTTP client.

## Response format

Every LumeScope response is JSON. Successful responses use HTTP `200` status codes. Error responses include a machine-readable `error` field and an appropriate 4xx or 5xx status code.

## OpenAPI specification and interactive docs

LumeScope embeds a full OpenAPI 3.0 specification and an interactive Swagger UI. Use them to explore and test every endpoint.

| Resource | URL |
| - | - |
| OpenAPI JSON spec | `{base}/openapi.json` |
| Swagger UI | `{base}/docs` |

For example, on mainnet browse to `https://lumescope.lumera.io/docs` to open the interactive documentation.

## Explore the API

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Actions API" icon="bolt" href="/api/actions">
    Query Cascade and Sense actions with decoded metadata, transaction lifecycle tracking, and aggregated statistics.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SuperNodes API" icon="server" href="/api/supernodes">
    Fetch SuperNode hardware metrics, payment statistics, version compatibility matrix, and availability status.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SN-API" icon="upload" href="/api/sn-api">
    Upload and download Cascade files through the SuperNode HTTP gateway.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Self-hosting LumeScope

You can run LumeScope yourself with a single Docker command. A private deployment gives you custom sync intervals, data sovereignty, and your own analytics pipeline. See the [LumeScope deployment guide](/api/lumescope) for instructions.


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