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

# Beacon Chain API reference: Ethereum consensus layer

> Ethereum Beacon Chain consensus layer API — query validators, attestations, block proposals, the fork choice algorithm, and rewards and penalties.

This section provides interactive API examples on how to query the Beacon Chain through Chainstack nodes.

<Check>
  ### Get your own node endpoint today

  [Start for free](https://console.chainstack.com/) and get your app to production levels immediately. No credit card required.

  You can sign up with your GitHub, X, Google, or Microsoft account.
</Check>

## How to start using the Beacon Chain API

When you deploy a node with Chainstack, you get both the execution layer node endpoint and the consensus layer (aka Beacon Chain) node endpoint.

Follow these steps to sign up on Chainstack, deploy an Ethereum RPC node, and find your endpoint credentials (both execution layer and the Beacon Chain):

<Steps>
  <Step>
    [Sign up with Chainstack](https://console.chainstack.com/user/account/create).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    [Deploy a node](/docs/manage-your-networks).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    [View node access and credentials](/docs/manage-your-node#view-node-access-and-credentials).
  </Step>
</Steps>

Now you are ready to connect to the Ethereum blockchain and use the Beacon Chain API to build.

<Info>
  For a detailed description of all the available Beacon Chain API specifications, see [Ethereum Beacon Chain API](https://ethereum.github.io/beacon-APIs/).
</Info>