LaserStream gRPC: High-Performance Data Streaming

Stream real-time Solana blockchain data with LaserStream gRPC. Highly configurable low-latency streams with historical replay and multi-region support.

Overview

LaserStream’s gRPC offering builds on a Yellowstone-based interface and enhances it with features like historical replay, multi-node failover, and a fully managed environment. LaserStream uses the open source gRPC protocol, ensuring no vendor lock-in and maximum compatibility with existing gRPC implementations.

You can connect either directly with @yellowstone-grpc or use the higher-level Helius LaserStream SDK for added benefits (auto-reconnect, subscription management, error handling, etc.).

Performance Notice: If you experience any lag or performance issues with your LaserStream connection, please refer to the Troubleshooting section for common causes and solutions related to client performance and network optimization.

Endpoints & Regions

LaserStream is available in multiple regions worldwide. Choose the endpoint closest to your application for optimal performance:

Mainnet Endpoints

Region	Location	Endpoint
ewr	Newark, NJ (near New York)	https://laserstream-mainnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com
pitt	Pittsburgh, US (Central)	https://laserstream-mainnet-pitt.helius-rpc.com
slc	Salt Lake City, US (West Coast)	https://laserstream-mainnet-slc.helius-rpc.com
lax	Los Angeles, US (West Coast)	https://laserstream-mainnet-lax.helius-rpc.com
ams	Amsterdam, Europe	https://laserstream-mainnet-ams.helius-rpc.com
fra	Frankfurt, Europe	https://laserstream-mainnet-fra.helius-rpc.com
tyo	Tokyo, Asia	https://laserstream-mainnet-tyo.helius-rpc.com
sgp	Singapore, Asia	https://laserstream-mainnet-sgp.helius-rpc.com

Devnet Endpoint

Network	Location	Endpoint
Devnet	Newark, NJ (near New York)	https://laserstream-devnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com

Network & Region Selection:

• For production applications, choose the mainnet endpoint closest to your server for best performance. For example, if deploying in Europe, use either the Amsterdam (ams) or Frankfurt (fra) endpoint.
• For development and testing, use the devnet endpoint: https://laserstream-devnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com.

Quickstart

1. Create a New Project

   mkdir laserstream-grpc-demo
   cd laserstream-grpc-demo
   npm init -y
   

2. Install Dependencies

   npm install helius-laserstream
   npm install --save-dev typescript ts-node
   npx tsc --init
   

3. Obtain Your API Key

   Generate a key from the Helius Dashboard. This key will serve as your authentication token for LaserStream.

   Plan Requirements: LaserStream devnet requires a Developer or Business plan. LaserStream mainnet requires a Professional plan. Ensure your Helius account has the appropriate plan to access LaserStream features.

4. Create a Subscription Script

   Create index.ts with the following:

   import { subscribe, CommitmentLevel, LaserstreamConfig, SubscribeRequest } from 'helius-laserstream'
   
   async function main() {
     const subscriptionRequest: SubscribeRequest = {
       transactions: {
         client: {
           accountInclude: ['TokenkegQfeZyiNwAJbNbGKPFXCWuBvf9Ss623VQ5DA'],
           accountExclude: [],
           accountRequired: [],
           vote: false,
           failed: false
         }
       },
       commitment: CommitmentLevel.CONFIRMED,
       accounts: {},
       slots: {},
       transactionsStatus: {},
       blocks: {},
       blocksMeta: {},
       entry: {},
       accountsDataSlice: [],
       // Optionally, you can replay missed data by specifying a fromSlot:
       // fromSlot: '224339000'
       // Note: Currently, you can only replay data from up to 3000 slots in the past.
     };
   
   // Replace the values below with your actual LaserStream API key and endpoint
   const config: LaserstreamConfig = {
     apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY', // Replace with your key from https://dashboard.helius.dev/
     endpoint: 'https://laserstream-mainnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com', // Choose your closest region
   }
   
     await subscribe(config, subscriptionRequest, async (data) => {
       
       console.log(data);
   
     }, async (error) => {
       console.error(error);
     });
   }
   
   main().catch(console.error);
   

5. Replace Your API Key and Choose Your Region

   In index.ts, update the config object with:

   1. Your actual API key from the Helius Dashboard
   2. The LaserStream endpoint closest to your server location

   const config: LaserstreamConfig = {
     apiKey: 'YOUR_ACTUAL_API_KEY', // Replace with your key from Helius Dashboard
     endpoint: 'https://laserstream-mainnet-fra.helius-rpc.com', // Example: Frankfurt mainnet
     // For devnet: endpoint: 'https://laserstream-devnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com'
   }
   

   Network & Region Selection Examples:

   • For Production (Mainnet):
     • Europe: Use fra (Frankfurt) or ams (Amsterdam)
     • US East: Use ewr (New York)
     • US West: Use slc (Salt Lake City)
     • Asia: Use tyo (Tokyo) or sgp (Singapore)
   • For Development (Devnet): Use https://laserstream-devnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com
6. Run and View Results

   npx ts-node index.ts
   

   Whenever a confirmed token transaction involves TokenkegQfeZyiNwAJbNbGKPFXCWuBvf9Ss623VQ5DA, you’ll see the data in your console.

Subscribe Request

In the subscribe request, you need to include the following general parameters:

Historical Replay: You can optionally include a fromSlot: string field in the main SubscribeRequest object to replay data from a specific slot onwards. Currently, replay is supported for up to 3000 slots in the past.

const subscriptionRequest: SubscribeRequest = {
  commitment: CommitmentLevel.CONFIRMED,
  accountsDataSlice: [],
  transactions: {},
  accounts: {},
  slots: {},
  blocks: {},
  blocksMeta: {},
  entry: {},
}

Next, you’ll need to specify the filters for the data you want to subscribe to, such as accounts, blocks, slots, or transactions.

Slots

Define filters for slot updates. The key you use (e.g., mySlotLabel) is a user-defined label for this specific filter configuration, allowing you to potentially define multiple named configurations if needed (though typically one is sufficient).

slots: {
  // mySlotLabel is a user-defined name for this slot update filter configuration
  mySlotLabel: {
    // filterByCommitment: true => Only broadcast slot updates at the specified subscribeRequest commitment
    filterByCommitment: true
    // interslotUpdates: true allows receiving updates for changes occurring within a slot, not just new slots.
    interslotUpdates: true
  }
},

Accounts

Define filters for account data updates. The key you use (e.g., tokenAccounts) is a user-defined label for this specific filter configuration.

If all fields are empty, all accounts are broadcasted. Otherwise:

• Fields operate as a logical AND.
• Values within arrays act as a logical OR (except within filters, which operate as a logical AND).

accounts: {
  // tokenAccounts is a user-defined label for this account filter configuration
  tokenAccounts: {
    // Matches any of these public keys (logical OR)
    account: ["9SHQTA66Ekh7ZgMnKWsjxXk6DwXku8przs45E8bcEe38"],
    // Matches owners that are any of these public keys
    owner: ["TokenkegQfeZyiNwAJbNbGKPFXCWuBvf9Ss623VQ5DA"],
    // Filters - all must match (AND logic)
    filters: [
      { dataSize: 165 },
      {
        memcmp: {
          offset: 0,
          data: { base58: "EPjFWdd5AufqSSqeM2qN1xzybapC8G4wEGGkZwyTDt1v" }
        }
      }
    ]
  }
},

Transaction

Define filters for transaction updates. The key you use (e.g., myTxSubscription) is a user-defined label for this specific filter configuration.

If all fields are left empty, all transactions are broadcasted. Otherwise:

• Fields operate as a logical AND.
• Values within arrays are treated as a logical OR (except for accountRequired, where all must match).

transactions: {
  // myTxSubscription is a user-defined label for this transaction filter configuration
  myTxSubscription: {
    vote: false,
    failed: false,
    signature: "",
    // Transaction must include at least one of these public keys (OR)
    accountInclude: ["86xCnPeV69n6t3DnyGvkKobf9FdN2H9oiVDdaMpo2MMY"],
    // Exclude if it matches any of these
    accountExclude: [],
    // Require all accounts in this array (AND)
    accountRequired: []
  }
},

Block

Define filters for block updates. The key you use (e.g., myBlockLabel) is a user-defined label for this specific filter configuration.

blocks: {
  // myBlockLabel is a user-defined label for this block filter configuration
  myBlockLabel: {
    // Only broadcast blocks referencing these accounts
    accountInclude: ["86xCnPeV69n6t3DnyGvkKobf9FdN2H9oiVDdaMpo2MMY"],
    includeTransactions: true,
    includeAccounts: false,
    includeEntries: false
  }
},

Blocks Meta

This functions similarly to Blocks but excludes transactions, accounts, and entries. The key you use (e.g., blockmetadata) is a user-defined label for this subscription. Currently, no filters are available for block metadata—all messages are broadcasted by default.

blocksMeta: {
  blockmetadata: {}
},

Entries

Subscribe to ledger entries. The key you use (e.g., entrySubscribe) is a user-defined label for this subscription. Currently, there are no filters available for entries; all entries are broadcasted.

entry: {
  entrySubscribe: {}
},

Code Examples (LaserStream SDK)

Slot Updates

import { subscribe, CommitmentLevel, LaserstreamConfig, SubscribeRequest } from 'helius-laserstream'

async function main() {
    const subscriptionRequest: SubscribeRequest = {
        transactions: {},
        commitment: CommitmentLevel.CONFIRMED,
        accounts: {},
        slots: {
            slot: { filterByCommitment: true },
        },
        transactionsStatus: {},
        blocks: {},
        blocksMeta: {},
        entry: {},
        accountsDataSlice: [],
    };

    const config: LaserstreamConfig = {
        apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY', // Replace with your key
        endpoint: 'https://laserstream-mainnet-ewr.helius-rpc.com', // Choose your closest region
    }

    await subscribe(config, subscriptionRequest, async (data) => {
        console.log(data);
    }, async (error) => {
        console.error(error);
    });
}

main().catch(console.error);

SDK Options

We provide official SDKs for multiple programming languages:

• TypeScript: LaserStream TypeScript SDK
• Rust: LaserStream Rust SDK
• Go: LaserStream Go SDK

For other languages or custom implementations, you can use the Yellowstone gRPC proto files directly to generate gRPC clients for your preferred language.

Troubleshooting / FAQ

Q: I'm experiencing lag or slow performance with my LaserStream connection. What could be causing this?

A: Performance issues with LaserStream connections are typically caused by:

• Javascript Client Slowness: The JavaScript client may lag behind when processing too many messages or consuming too much bandwidth. Consider filtering your subscriptions more narrowly to reduce message volume or using another language.

• Limited local bandwidth: Heavy subscriptions can overwhelm clients with limited network bandwidth. Monitor your network usage and consider upgrading your connection or reducing subscription scope.

• Geographic distance: Running subscriptions against servers that are geographically far away can cause performance issues. TCP packets may get dropped on long routes, and you’re limited by the slowest intermediate network path. Solution: Choose the LaserStream endpoint closest to your server location from our available regions (see Endpoints & Regions above).

• Client-side processing bottlenecks: Ensure your message processing logic is optimized and doesn’t block the main thread for extended periods.

Debugging Client Lag: To help you debug client, we built a tool to test for the max bandwidth from your node to a Laserstream gRPC server. To use it run:

cargo install helius-laserstream-bandwidth
helius-laserstream-bandwidth --laserstream-url $LASERSTREAM_URL --api-key $API_KEY

The output returns the max network capacity between your server and the Laserstream server. At a minimum, you need 10MB/s to subscribe to all transaction data and 80MB/s to subscribe to all account data. We recommend having at least 2x the required capacity for optimal performance.

Q: I'm getting connection errors. What should I check?

A: Verify your API key and endpoint are correct and that your network allows outbound gRPC connections to the specified endpoint. Check the Helius status page for any ongoing incidents.

Q: Why aren't my filters working as expected?

A: Double-check the logical operators (AND/OR) described in the filter sections. Ensure public keys are correct. Review the commitment level specified in your request.

Q: Can I subscribe to multiple types of data (e.g., accounts and transactions) in one request?

A: Yes, you can define filter configurations under multiple keys (e.g., accounts, transactions) within the same SubscribeRequest object.

Q: Does LaserStream support consumer groups?

A: We don’t implement consumer groups. Instead, LaserStream delivers the same outcomes teams want: resume, replay, and multi-node reliability without a coordination layer (and the latency/overhead that comes with it). We believe consumer groups are not needed for most workloads and they add latency and operational overhead. As an example a single LaserStream gRPC connection can emit up to 10× Solana’s transaction + account data, and most clients subscribe to a small, filtered slice. Using consumer groups in this case burns performance headroom and introduces another point of failure.