Debug API Quickstart

This quickstart shows how to make a first Debug API request over HTTPS using an Ethereum JSON-RPC method as a general example. Node API endpoints are chain-specific, so production requests must use a chain endpoint that supports Debug API.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A W3api account with access to public Node API endpoints.
• A Node API HTTPS endpoint copied from the Web3 API platform for the selected chain.
• A terminal with curl.

Copy Your HTTPS Endpoint

1. Open the Web3 API platform.
2. Select the project and blockchain network you want to use.
3. Copy the network’s HTTPS endpoint.
4. Store it as YOUR_HTTPS_ENDPOINT in the examples below.

Make a Request with curl

Use debug_traceTransaction to request debug trace data for a transaction:

$
curl -X POST YOUR_HTTPS_ENDPOINT \
>
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
>
  -d '{
>
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
>
    "method": "debug_traceTransaction",
>
    "params": ["YOUR_TRANSACTION_HASH", {}],
>
    "id": 1
>
  }'

A successful response returns debug output for the transaction:

1
{
2
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
3
  "id": 1,
4
  "result": {
5
    "gas": 21000,
6
    "failed": false,
7
    "returnValue": "",
8
    "structLogs": []
9
  }
10
}

Debug response fields vary by network, client implementation, and tracer options. Use the returned debug output to inspect execution behavior, gas usage, revert paths, and low-level diagnostic details.

Next Steps

The Debug API references are chain-specific. Select the one you’d like to interact with to view its method details: