> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.switchboard.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.switchboard.xyz/tooling/crossbar.md). # Crossbar ## Crossbar: Switchboard's Utility Server Crossbar is a high-performance utility server implemented in Rust, designed to simplify interactions with the Switchboard network. It provides essential functionalities for simulating and resolving feeds across various blockchains. Crossbar comes with a set of useful utility functions for resolving feeds on all chains with active Switchboard deployments, IPFS utilities for storing and fetching jobs, and built-in simulation capabilities for constantly fetching feed updates for liquidators and other bots. > **Note**: The Rust version includes built-in simulation and no longer requires a separate Task Runner Simulator service. > Running your own instance of Crossbar is highly recommended for user interfaces and bots that require frequent price simulations. Refer to [Run Crossbar with Docker Compose ](/tooling/crossbar/run-crossbar-with-docker-compose.md)for instructions on setting up your own Crossbar instance. ### Key Features Crossbar aims to streamline the Switchboard experience, offering the following core functionalities: * **Fetch Feeds by Feed Hash:** Retrieve a feed's job definitions and queue in JSON format using its unique feed hash (content identifier). * **Store Jobs:** Store feed definitions using your configured IPFS node (requires Piñata credentials or a Kubo node). * **Simulate Feeds by Feed Hash:** Simulate multiple feeds simultaneously using their feed hashes, enabling off-chain tracking of custom price feeds for bot automation. > Crossbar exposes both simulation and signed-update paths. Simulation can succeed even when signed updates fail oracle-side validation. For validation units such as raw v2 `maxJobRangePct` and gateway `max_variance`, see [Feed Parameter Units](/custom-feeds/advanced-feed-configuration/feed-parameter-units.md). For current Solana/SVM feed-hash integrations, use the SDK managed update path (`queue.fetchManagedUpdateIxs(...)`) and canonical quote-program accounts. The classic `PullFeed.fetchUpdateIx(...)` and `/updates/solana/...` flows are legacy PullFeed compatibility paths and require queue/gateway support for that account scheme. ### Blockchain-Specific Features Crossbar provides tailored features for specific blockchains: **Solana and Aptos/Sui:** * **Fetch Encoded Update Instructions:** Retrieve update instructions from live oracles. For Solana/SVM feed-hash integrations, prefer managed quote-program updates through the SDK; Crossbar's classic Solana update routes are for legacy PullFeed accounts. * **Fetch Simulated Results for Feeds:** Fetch current prices for feeds. This is a useful feature for tracking custom price feeds off-chain, for triggering an action that the bots can use. **Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM):** * **Fetch Encoded Updates:** Obtain an encoded update for a feed to submit on-chain via a contract explorer (like Etherscan), eliminating the need to include feed definitions directly in your frontend. * **Settle Randomness:** Fetch a settlement message for resolving randomness requests when using Switchboard's EVM Randomness features. ### Rust Implementation Benefits The Rust implementation provides several advantages: * **High Performance:** Built with actix-web for maximum throughput * **Built-in Simulation:** No separate Task Runner Simulator required * **WebSocket Support:** Real-time data streaming capabilities * **Memory Efficiency:** Optimized for high concurrent connections * **Simplified Deployment:** Single binary with minimal dependencies ### Environment Variables All environment variables are optional and have sensible defaults: **Core Configuration:** * `PORT` (default: 8080) - HTTP server port * `WS_PORT` (default: 8081) - WebSocket server port * `DISABLE_API` (default: false) - Disable HTTP API entirely **Performance:** * `BROADCAST_WORKER_THREADS` (default: 32) - Tokio worker threads * `SIMULATION_CACHE_TTL_SECONDS` (default: 3) - Cache TTL * `DISABLE_CACHE` (default: false) - Disable caching **Blockchain RPCs (Recommended):** * `SOLANA_MAINNET_RPC` - Solana mainnet RPC * `SOLANA_DEVNET_RPC` - Solana devnet RPC **IPFS (Optional):** * `IPFS_GATEWAY_URL` (default: ) - IPFS gateway * `PINATA_JWT_KEY` - Pinata storage key * `KUBO_URL` - Local IPFS node For a complete list of environment variables, see the [Docker Compose guide](/tooling/crossbar/run-crossbar-with-docker-compose.md#environment-variables-reference). #### Public Instance of Crossbar While a public instance is available for quick testing, running your own Crossbar instance is highly recommended. Switchboard oracles are heavily rate-limited by IP address, so using a dedicated instance prevents disruptions. * **Public Instance:** #### Public Rate Limits (as of March 3, 2026) The public Crossbar endpoint has multiple limit layers. The key limits to plan around are: * **Network-level oracle request budget:** default `20 RPS` per user wallet for Switchboard requests; higher limits are available with `svSWTCH` stake. See [The Switchboard NCN](/how-it-works/switchboard-protocol/re-staking/the-switchboard-ncn.md). * **Public edge throttling:** `https://crossbar.switchboard.xyz` enforces additional IP-based throttling and can return `429 Too Many Requests` under burst traffic (especially for `/updates/*` routes). * **Surge connection caps:** managed Surge subscriptions have explicit connection limits by plan (`Plug: 1`, `Pro: 10`, `Enterprise: 15`). See [Surge pricing and limits](/docs-by-chain/solana-svm/surge.md). Practical guidance: * Treat public Crossbar as **best-effort** for development and low-volume usage. * Back off exponentially with jitter on `429` responses. * For production bots/frontends, self-host Crossbar to remove public edge contention. **Examples:** * **Job Definition Fetch:** * **EVM Oracle Fetch (Core Mainnet):** ### Advanced * [Crossbar API Endpoints](/tooling/crossbar/api-endpoints.md) — complete endpoint reference by route group. * [Surge Gateway Protocol](/tooling/crossbar/gateway-protocol.md) — HTTP + WebSocket protocol for custom Surge clients.