> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.aeternity.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.aeternity.com/developer-documentation/protocol/node/api/account_api_usage.md).

# Account management - intended usage

Each node handles one account.

The following assumes that the node exposes at address 127.0.0.1 the following ports:

* User API external HTTP endpoint: 3013
* User API internal HTTP endpoint: 3113

## Retrieve beneficiary public key

Retrieve the beneficiary public key of your node:

```bash
curl http://127.0.0.1:3113/v2/debug/accounts/beneficiary
```

You shall read output like the following:

```
{"pub_key":"ak_N1WLMewMQPUyQBdEhXRSYee84RQNKJrECwbbseMkNsZhv1X"}
```

## Retrieve balance

Retrieve balance for given public key (replace the public key in the command):

```bash
curl -G 'http://127.0.0.1:3013/v2/accounts/ak_N1WLMewMQPUyQBdEhXRSYee84RQNKJrECwbbseMkNsZhv1X'
```

You shall read output like the following...

```
{"balance":80, "id":"ak_N1WLMewMQPUyQBdEhXRSYee84RQNKJrECwbbseMkNsZhv1X", "nonce":0}
```

... or - if you do not have any coins yet e.g. because you have not yet mined a block successfully - the following:

```
{"reason":"Account not found"}
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.aeternity.com/developer-documentation/protocol/node/api/account_api_usage.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.