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

# Overview

> Search, retrieve, and share LangWatch traces via the REST API. Traces capture the full execution of your LLM pipelines including all spans, evaluations, and metadata.

## Intro

The Traces API lets you search and retrieve traces for your project. Each trace captures a complete LLM pipeline execution, including nested spans (LLM calls, tool calls, RAG retrievals), evaluations, and metadata.

Both search and get-trace endpoints support a `format` parameter:

* **`digest`** (default) — Returns an AI-readable formatted trace with hierarchical span tree, timing, inputs/outputs, and errors. Optimized for LLM consumption.
* **`json`** — Returns the full raw trace data with all fields.

## Authentication

Pass your LangWatch API key in the `X-Auth-Token` header. Your API key can be found on the setup page under settings.

## Endpoints

| Method | Path                      | Description                               |
| ------ | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| `POST` | `/api/traces/search`      | Search traces with filters and pagination |
| `GET`  | `/api/traces/{traceId}`   | Get full trace details by ID              |
| `GET`  | `/api/thread/{id}`        | Get all traces in a thread                |
| `POST` | `/api/trace/{id}/share`   | Create a public share link                |
| `POST` | `/api/trace/{id}/unshare` | Remove a public share link                |

<Info>
  The older `/api/trace/search` and `/api/trace/{id}` endpoints still work but are deprecated. Migrate to `/api/traces/search` and `/api/traces/{traceId}` for the improved `format` parameter and AI-readable digests.
</Info>