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

# Helius for Agents

> Everything AI agents need to build on Solana with Helius: programmatic signup, API access, SDKs, MCP integration, and recommended workflows.

Helius provides first-class support for AI agents building on Solana. From programmatic account creation to real-time data streaming, agents can access the full power of Helius without any manual intervention.

* [Helius MCP](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/mcp.md) — 10 routed tools that cover querying the blockchain, sending transactions, streaming, and more
* [Claude Code Plugin](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/claude-code-plugin.md) — The first, and currently the only, official Claude Code plugin from a crypto company. One install: the Helius MCP server + skills + reference files
* [Skills](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/overview.md) — Expert instruction sets for Claude: [Build](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/build.md), [Phantom](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/phantom.md), [Jupiter](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/jupiter.md), [DFlow](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/dflow.md), [OKX](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/okx.md), [SVM](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/skills/svm.md)
* [TypeScript SDK](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/typescript-sdk.md) — Type-safe methods for all Helius APIs
* [Rust SDK](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/rust-sdk.md) — High-performance Rust SDK for Helius APIs
* [Helius CLI](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/cli.md) — Account management and shell scripting

> [!NOTE]
>
> A machine-readable version of this section is available at [agents/llms.txt](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/llms.txt) for AI agent consumption.

## MCP vs CLI

The [Helius MCP server](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/mcp.md) is the recommended way for AI agents to interact with Helius. It provides 10 routed tools that give AI direct, structured access to Solana — no shell commands, no output parsing, no manual API calls.

| | [MCP](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/mcp.md) | [CLI](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/cli.md) |
| - | - | - |
| **Best for** | AI agents in Claude Code, Cursor, Claude Desktop, and any MCP-compatible tool | Shell scripts, CI/CD pipelines, terminal workflows |
| **Interface** | Structured tool calls with typed inputs/outputs | Command-line with `--json` output |
| **Capabilities** | 10 routed tools (`heliusWallet`, `heliusAsset`, `heliusTransaction`, …) covering blockchain queries, transactions, webhooks, streaming, wallet analysis, docs, and signup | 95+ commands: same capabilities plus config management and interactive flows |
| **Account setup** | Built-in: `heliusAccount` actions `generateKeypair` → `signup` (link or autopay) — no external tools needed | `helius keygen` → `helius signup` |
| **When to use** | Default choice for any AI agent | When you need shell-level automation or are not using an MCP-compatible tool |

> [!TIP]
>
> **Start with MCP.** If your AI tool supports MCP (Claude Code, Cursor, Claude Desktop, etc.), use the [MCP server](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/mcp.md) or the [Claude Code Plugin](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/claude-code-plugin.md). The CLI is useful for shell scripting and CI/CD, but for AI-driven workflows the MCP provides a more seamless experience — the AI calls tools directly rather than spawning shell commands and parsing output.

## Quick Start: Agent Signup

Agents can create a Helius account and get an API key with the [Helius CLI](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/cli.md):

> [!NOTE]
>
> Every new signup, including the Agent plan, requires an email address, first name, and last name. The wallet is only used to pay.

```bash theme={"system"}
npm install -g helius-cli    # Install CLI
helius keygen                 # Generate keypair

# Default: prints a hosted payment link — pay with any wallet in the browser
helius signup --email you@example.com --first-name Jane --last-name Doe --json

# After paying via the link, finalize the account
helius signup --resume --json

# Or autopay: fund the keypair with the plan amount in USDC ($10 for Agent) + ~0.001 SOL, then
helius signup --plan agent --pay --email you@example.com --first-name Jane --last-name Doe --json
```

On success (`--resume` or `--pay`), your agent receives an API key, RPC endpoints, and 1,000,000 credits. See the [full CLI guide](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/cli.md) for details.

## Authentication

All Helius API requests require an API key passed as a query parameter:

```
?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY
```

Append this to any RPC or API endpoint. For example: `https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`

Get an API key from the [Helius Dashboard](https://dashboard.helius.dev) or programmatically via the [Helius CLI](https://www.helius.dev/docs/agents/cli.md).

> [!TIP]
>
> **Use Gatekeeper for lower latency** — [Gatekeeper (Beta)](https://www.helius.dev/docs/gatekeeper/overview.md) removes Cloudflare from the critical path, reducing response times by tens to hundreds of milliseconds. Same API key, same methods — just swap the endpoint:
>
> ```
> https://beta.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY
> wss://beta.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY
> ```
>
> Supports all RPC, DAS, WebSocket, ZK Compression, Priority Fee, and Enhanced Transaction methods. See the [migration guide](https://www.helius.dev/docs/gatekeeper/migration-guide.md) for details.

## Helius-Specific API Guidance

Use these Helius-optimized APIs instead of chaining standard Solana RPC methods:

| If you need... | Use this | Why |
| - | - | - |
| Filtered history, backfill, or token-account activity | [`getTransactionsForAddress`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/rpc/gettransactionsforaddress) | Filters and pagination; use `transactionDetails: "full"` only when raw transaction and metadata objects are needed (`filters.tokenAccounts` defaults to `none`) |
| Wallet-centric activity with per-transaction balance changes | [Wallet API History](https://www.helius.dev/docs/wallet-api/history.md) (beta) | Wallet-oriented REST response — not equivalent to GTFA filtered backfill or raw full transaction objects |
| Transfer-level SOL/token records | [`getTransfersByAddress`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/rpc/gettransfersbyaddress) | Normalized transfers — not full transaction objects |
| New parsed human-readable history | [Parsed Events](https://www.helius.dev/docs/parsed-events.md) | Prefer over legacy [Enhanced Transactions](https://www.helius.dev/docs/enhanced-transactions/overview.md); GTFA is not the Enhanced response format |
| Rich wallet asset metadata | [`getAssetsByOwner`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/api-reference/das/getassetsbyowner) (DAS API) | Returns rich metadata, not just raw token accounts; fungible SPL/Token-2022 holdings require the method-specific `showFungible` option |
| Priority fee estimates | [`getPriorityFeeEstimate`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/api-reference/priority-fee/getpriorityfeeestimate) | Pre-calculated optimal fees, no manual computation |
| Compressed-NFT transaction history | [`getSignaturesForAsset`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/api-reference/das/getsignaturesforasset) (DAS API) | Standard address-based RPC does not include compressed-NFT history |
| NFT search | [`searchAssets`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/api-reference/das/searchassets) or [`getAssetsByGroup`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/api-reference/das/getassetsbygroup) | Faster, cheaper, indexed data |
| Real-time data | [LaserStream WebSocket](https://www.helius.dev/docs/rpc/websocket.md), [LaserStream gRPC](https://www.helius.dev/docs/laserstream.md), or [Webhooks](https://www.helius.dev/docs/webhooks.md) | Persistent streams or HTTP callbacks without polling |
| High-throughput backend streaming with replay | [LaserStream gRPC Subscribe](https://www.helius.dev/docs/api-reference/laserstream/grpc/subscribe.md) (SDK `subscribe`) | Browser/UI WSS uses LaserStream WebSocket; MCP `laserstreamSubscribe` generates config/examples only — it does not open a live stream |
| Low-latency transaction submission | [Helius Sender](https://www.helius.dev/docs/sending-transactions/sender.md) | Multi-path routing (Helius, Jito, Harmonic, Rakurai, etc.), higher landing rates |

## Recommended Workflows

| Building... | Helius Products to Use |
| - | - |
| Trading bot | [Gatekeeper](https://www.helius.dev/docs/gatekeeper/overview.md) (lowest latency RPC) + [Sender](https://www.helius.dev/docs/sending-transactions/sender.md) (fast tx submission) + [Priority Fee API](https://www.helius.dev/docs/priority-fee-api.md) + [LaserStream](https://www.helius.dev/docs/laserstream.md) (real-time prices) |
| Wallet app | [DAS API](https://www.helius.dev/docs/das-api.md) for asset ownership and metadata + [Wallet API History](https://www.helius.dev/docs/wallet-api/history.md) (beta activity with balance changes) or [`getTransactionsForAddress`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/rpc/gettransactionsforaddress) for filtered history, backfill, token-account activity, or raw full transaction objects |
| NFT marketplace | [DAS API](https://www.helius.dev/docs/das-api.md) (`searchAssets`, `getAssetsByGroup`) + [Webhooks](https://www.helius.dev/docs/webhooks.md) (track sales/listings) |
| Token sniper | [Gatekeeper](https://www.helius.dev/docs/gatekeeper/overview.md) (edge-routed RPC) + [LaserStream gRPC](https://www.helius.dev/docs/laserstream.md) (lowest latency) + [Sender](https://www.helius.dev/docs/sending-transactions/sender.md) (staked connections) |
| Portfolio tracker | [Wallet API Balances](https://www.helius.dev/docs/wallet-api/balances.md) (beta portfolio summaries) + [DAS API](https://www.helius.dev/docs/das-api.md) (`getAssetsByOwner` with method-specific `showFungible`) for NFT/metadata inventory |
| Wallet monitor | [LaserStream WebSocket](https://www.helius.dev/docs/rpc/websocket.md) or [Webhooks](https://www.helius.dev/docs/webhooks.md) for real-time notifications |
| Analytics dashboard | [`getTransactionsForAddress`](https://www.helius.dev/docs/rpc/gettransactionsforaddress) for filtered backfill; [Parsed Events](https://www.helius.dev/docs/parsed-events.md) for new parsed integrations; [Enhanced Transactions](https://www.helius.dev/docs/enhanced-transactions/overview.md) only for existing parsed integrations |
| Airdrop tool | [AirShip](https://airship.helius.dev) (95% cheaper with ZK compression) |

> [!NOTE]
>
> When using [Wallet API Balances](https://www.helius.dev/docs/wallet-api/balances.md) for portfolio summaries: the API is beta; tokens are limited to 100 per page; NFTs are excluded unless `showNfts=true` (at most 100 NFTs on the first page only); `pricePerToken` and `usdValue` may be null; prices are hourly estimates, not real-time market prices; `totalUsdValue` covers the current page, not the full paginated portfolio; each request costs 100 credits. Use paginated DAS for complete NFT inventory and metadata — do not treat Balances as a full NFT inventory.

## Rate Limits Quick Reference

Rate limits depend on your [plan](https://www.helius.dev/docs/billing/plans.md). Agents start on the Agent tier with 1,000,000 credits. The Agent tier requires a one-time \$10 USDC payment, and every new signup needs an email, first name, and last name.

> [!NOTE]
>
> All prices shown in dollars are in United States dollars (USD).

| Plan | Price | Monthly Credits | RPC Rate Limit | DAS & Enhanced APIs |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Agent | \$10 one-time | 1M | 10 req/s | 2 req/s |
| Developer | \$49/mo | 10M | 50 req/s | 10 req/s |
| Business | \$499/mo | 100M | 200 req/s | 50 req/s |
| Professional | \$999/mo | 200M | 500 req/s | 100 req/s |

For detailed rate limits per API, see [Rate Limits](https://www.helius.dev/docs/billing/rate-limits.md).

## Credits Per API Call

| API | Credits | Notes |
| - | - | - |
| Standard RPC calls | 1 | Most Solana RPC methods |
| `getProgramAccounts` | 10 | Use DAS API instead when possible |
| DAS API | 10 | All DAS endpoints |
| Enhanced Transactions | 100 | Parsed transaction data |
| `getTransactionsForAddress` | 10+ | Full transactions cost 10 credits per 100 returned; signatures-only responses cost 10 credits flat. |
| `getTransfersByAddress` | 10 | Developer+ plans only |
| Wallet API | 100 | All Wallet API endpoints |
| Priority Fee API | 1 | Fee estimation |
| Sender | 0 | Free on all plans |
| Webhook events | 1 | Per event delivered |
| Webhook management | 100 | Create, edit, delete |

For the full breakdown, see [Credits](https://www.helius.dev/docs/billing/credits.md).

## Retries and Error Handling

### HTTP Status Codes

| Code | Meaning | Action |
| - | - | - |
| 200 | Success | Process response |
| 400 | Bad request | Fix request parameters |
| 401 | Unauthorized | Check API key |
| 429 | Rate limited | Back off and retry |
| 5xx | Server error | Retry with exponential backoff |

### Retry Pattern

```typescript theme={"system"}
async function heliusRequest(url: string, data: object, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let attempt = 0; attempt < maxRetries; attempt++) {
    const response = await fetch(url, {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
      body: JSON.stringify(data),
    });

    if (response.ok) return response.json();

    if (response.status === 429) {
      const retryAfter = response.headers.get('Retry-After');
      const delay = retryAfter ? parseInt(retryAfter) * 1000 : Math.pow(2, attempt) * 1000;
      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, delay));
      continue;
    }

    if (response.status >= 500) {
      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, Math.pow(2, attempt) * 1000));
      continue;
    }

    throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`);
  }
  throw new Error('Max retries exceeded');
}
```

### Monitor Credit Usage

```bash theme={"system"}
helius usage --json
```

## Quick Reference

* **Mainnet RPC**: `https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`
* **Mainnet RPC (Gatekeeper Beta)**: `https://beta.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`
* **Devnet RPC**: `https://devnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`
* **Mainnet WSS**: `wss://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`
* **Mainnet WSS (Gatekeeper Beta)**: `wss://beta.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`
* **Devnet WSS**: `wss://devnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY`
* **Sender endpoint**: `https://sender.helius-rpc.com/fast`
* **MCP server**: `https://www.helius.dev/docs/mcp`
* **Dashboard**: [dashboard.helius.dev](https://dashboard.helius.dev)
* **Status**: [helius.statuspage.io](https://helius.statuspage.io)


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