state_getRuntimeVersion - Moonbeam RPC Method
Get the runtime version on Moonbeam. Essential for compatibility checking, upgrade detection, and transaction construction on the cross-chain connected EVM platform on Polkadot with $65M+ TVL and 100+ projects.
Returns the runtime version information for Moonbeam, including the spec name, spec version, implementation version, and supported API versions.
Why Moonbeam? Build on the cross-chain connected EVM platform on Polkadot with $65M+ TVL and 100+ projects with full EVM compatibility on Polkadot, native XCM cross-chain messaging, 10K+ TPS, 24% staking APR, and $0.015 transaction costs.
When to Use This Method
state_getRuntimeVersion is essential for cross-chain dApp developers, Polkadot builders, and teams requiring multi-chain interoperability:
- Version Checking — Verify runtime compatibility before constructing transactions on Moonbeam
- Upgrade Detection — Monitor for runtime upgrades that may change chain behavior for cross-chain DeFi, multi-chain dApps, and Ethereum-to-Polkadot bridging via XCM, Axelar, LayerZero, and Wormhole
- Transaction Construction — Include the correct
specVersionandtransactionVersionin signed extrinsics - API Compatibility — Check which runtime APIs are available and at what version
Code Examples
Common Use Cases
1. Runtime Upgrade Monitor
Detect runtime upgrades on Moonbeam in real time:
async function monitorUpgrades(api) {
let currentVersion = (await api.rpc.state.getRuntimeVersion()).specVersion.toNumber();
console.log(`Starting monitor at spec version: ${currentVersion}`);
const unsub = await api.rpc.chain.subscribeNewHeads(async (header) => {
const version = await api.rpc.state.getRuntimeVersion(header.hash);
const newVersion = version.specVersion.toNumber();
if (newVersion !== currentVersion) {
console.log(`Runtime upgrade detected! ${currentVersion} -> ${newVersion}`);
currentVersion = newVersion;
// Trigger reconnection or metadata refresh
}
});
return unsub;
}2. Transaction Construction with Correct Version
Include the correct version fields when constructing signed extrinsics:
async function getSigningPayloadInfo(api) {
const version = await api.rpc.state.getRuntimeVersion();
const genesisHash = await api.rpc.chain.getBlockHash(0);
return {
specVersion: version.specVersion.toNumber(),
transactionVersion: version.transactionVersion.toNumber(),
genesisHash: genesisHash.toHex(),
// These fields are required for signing extrinsics
};
}3. Historical Version Comparison
Compare runtime versions across blocks to identify upgrade boundaries:
async function findUpgradeBlock(api, startBlock, endBlock) {
const startHash = await api.rpc.chain.getBlockHash(startBlock);
const startVersion = (await api.rpc.state.getRuntimeVersion(startHash)).specVersion.toNumber();
// Binary search for upgrade block
let low = startBlock;
let high = endBlock;
while (low < high) {
const mid = Math.floor((low + high) / 2);
const midHash = await api.rpc.chain.getBlockHash(mid);
const midVersion = (await api.rpc.state.getRuntimeVersion(midHash)).specVersion.toNumber();
if (midVersion === startVersion) {
low = mid + 1;
} else {
high = mid;
}
}
console.log(`Runtime upgraded at block #${low}`);
return low;
}Error Handling
| Error Code | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| -32603 | Internal error | Node may be syncing — retry with backoff |
| -32602 | Invalid params | Verify block hash format is valid hex with 0x prefix |
| -32601 | Method not found | Verify the node supports this RPC method |
| -32005 | Rate limit exceeded | Implement client-side rate limiting |
Related Methods
state_getMetadata— Get full runtime metadata for decodingsystem_version— Get node software versionchain_subscribeFinalizedHeads— Subscribe to detect upgrade blocks
state_getMetadata
Get runtime metadata on Moonbeam. Essential for decoding storage, building extrinsics, and discovering available pallets and calls on the cross-chain connected EVM platform on Polkadot with $65M+ TVL and 100+ projects.
state_call
Call a runtime API function on Moonbeam. Execute on-chain computations like account nonce lookups, fee estimation, and custom runtime logic without submitting a transaction.