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

# Protocol

> Learn how to retrieve the genesis and current protocol configurations using the NEAR RPC API.

The RPC API enables you to retrieve the current genesis and protocol configuration.

## Quick Reference

| Method                                             | Parameters               | Description                                                 |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| [`genesis_config`](#genesis-config)                | *none*                   | Returns current genesis configuration                       |
| [`EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config`](#protocol-config) | `finality` OR `block_id` | Returns protocol configuration for latest or specific block |

***

## Genesis Config

Returns current genesis configuration.

* **method**: `genesis_config`
* **params**: *none*

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="JSON">
    ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    {
      "jsonrpc": "2.0",
      "id": "dontcare",
      "method": "genesis_config"
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="JavaScript">
    ```js theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    import { JsonRpcProvider } from "near-api-js";

    const provider = new JsonRpcProvider({
        url: "https://test.rpc.fastnear.com",
    });

    const response = await provider.experimental_protocolConfig({
      sync_checkpoint: 'genesis',
    });
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="HTTPie">
    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    http POST https://rpc.testnet.near.org \
      jsonrpc=2.0 \
      id=dontcare \
      method=genesis_config
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Accordion title="Example response">
  ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
  {
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "result": {
      "chain_id": "testnet",
      "epoch_length": 43200,
      "gas_limit": 1000000000000000,
      "genesis_height": 42376888,
      "genesis_time": "2020-07-31T03:39:42.911378Z",
      "min_gas_price": "5000",
      "num_block_producer_seats": 200,
      "protocol_version": 29,
      "total_supply": "2089646653180081825096998107194444"
    },
    "id": "dontcare"
  }
  ```
</Accordion>

***

## Protocol Config

Returns most recent protocol configuration or a specific queried block. Useful for finding current storage and transaction costs.

* **method**: `EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config`
* **params**: `finality` OR `block_id`

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="JSON">
    ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    {
      "jsonrpc": "2.0",
      "id": "dontcare",
      "method": "EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config",
      "params": {
        "finality": "final"
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="JavaScript">
    ```js theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    import { JsonRpcProvider } from "near-api-js";

    const provider = new JsonRpcProvider({
        url: "https://test.rpc.fastnear.com",
    });

    const response = await provider.experimental_protocolConfig({
      finality: "final"
    });
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="HTTPie">
    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
    http POST https://rpc.testnet.near.org \
      jsonrpc=2.0 \
      id=dontcare \
      method=EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config \
      params:='{"finality": "final"}'
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Accordion title="Example response">
  ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
  {
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "result": {
      "chain_id": "testnet",
      "epoch_length": 43200,
      "gas_limit": 1000000000000000,
      "protocol_version": 73,
      "runtime_config": {
        "storage_amount_per_byte": "10000000000000000000",
        "transaction_costs": {
          "action_receipt_creation_config": {
            "execution": 108059500000,
            "send_not_sir": 108059500000,
            "send_sir": 108059500000
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "id": "dontcare"
  }
  ```
</Accordion>

***

## Best Practices

* Use `finality: "final"` for most recent confirmed protocol configuration
* Use specific `block_id` when you need protocol config for a particular block
* Cache protocol configuration results as they change infrequently
* Use the protocol config to calculate current storage and transaction costs