> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.validationcloud.io/v1/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.validationcloud.io/v1/stellar/horizon-api/root.md).

# Root

Returns the Horizon root document: the Horizon and stellar-core versions, the ledger range the node currently serves, the network passphrase, and `_links` to every Horizon resource. HAL clients and indexers read this first and follow the links.

This method will use `10` [Compute Units](/v1/about/billing.md).

***

## Reference: [Here](https://developers.stellar.org/docs/data/apis/horizon/api-reference/structure/response-format)

## **Parameters**

`None`

## Returns

The response lists 23 links under `_links`, one for each Horizon resource. Every `href` already contains your API key, so nothing needs to be appended to it.

Links marked `templated: true` hold variables in braces, such as `{account_id}` or `{sequence}`. Substitute those before requesting the link. Links without that marker can be requested exactly as returned.

The example below is abbreviated to 4 of the 23 links, and `<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>` stands in for your own key.

```json
{
  "_links": {
    "account": {
      "href": "https://mainnet.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/accounts/{account_id}",
      "templated": true
    },
    "fee_stats": {
      "href": "https://mainnet.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/fee_stats"
    },
    "ledgers": {
      "href": "https://mainnet.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/ledgers{?cursor,limit,order}",
      "templated": true
    },
    "self": {
      "href": "https://mainnet.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/"
    }
  },
  "horizon_version": "28.0.1-a70eb47f76985d372de3e59f4d75c7f8542752f7",
  "core_version": "stellar-core 28.0.1 (947aad8413c189d85504acf72207e85eeda9b021)",
  "ingest_latest_ledger": 64377921,
  "history_latest_ledger": 64377921,
  "history_latest_ledger_closed_at": "2026-09-11T12:04:41Z",
  "history_elder_ledger": 62822161,
  "core_latest_ledger": 64377921,
  "network_passphrase": "Public Global Stellar Network ; September 2015",
  "current_protocol_version": 27,
  "supported_protocol_version": 28,
  "core_supported_protocol_version": 28
}
```

`history_elder_ledger` is the oldest ledger the endpoint can serve. Use it to check the history depth available on Pubnet, Testnet and Pubnet Archive.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="mainnet" %}

```bash
curl https://mainnet.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="testnet" %}

```bash
curl https://testnet.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="archive" %}

```bash
curl https://archive.stellar.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>/
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


---

# Agent Instructions
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## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.validationcloud.io/v1/stellar/horizon-api/root.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

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`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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