Skip to main content
The Route API is Enso’s crosschain automated pathfinding engine that calculates optimal multi-step paths between any two DeFi positions - tokenIn and tokenOut. Whether you’re swapping tokens, entering yield vaults, or moving assets across chains, the Route API handles the complex routing logic automatically.
Would route do the job?
The route API might be the simpler way to route your assets. Before using the bundle API, check if route would work using happypath.
Routing vs Bundling: The Route API excels at single-path operations where you want Enso to determine the optimal route automatically. For custom multi-step workflows where you need precise control over each action, use the Bundle API instead. When to use routing: Token swaps with optimal pricing, vault entries/exits, position migrations between protocols, crosschain transfers, and any scenario where you want automated route optimization rather than manually specifying each step.

Quick Start

The route API produces a gas-optimized, atomic transaction between the two given positions, combining swap, deposit, and redeem operations.
Use the Bundle API if you need other actions Enso supports, such as harvest, borrow, repay.

Sample requests

Core Concepts

Input/Output Model

Specify any tokenIn and tokenOut - ERC20 tokens, LP tokens, vault shares, or yield positions. The Route API automatically finds the optimal path between any two DeFi positions across protocols and chains.

Response

Response contains a complete transaction object ready to sign (tx), amountOut (expected output), gas (estimated), and route (optimized path taken).

Slippage Control

Set slippage in basis points: "50" = 0.5%, "300" = 3%. Higher slippage for complex routes. Cannot use both slippage and minAmountOut - choose one protection method.

Crosschain Operations

Add destinationChainId for crosschain routes. API automatically selects optimal bridges and calculates fees.

Control Crosschain Route Complexity

For crosschain Route API requests, bridgeRoute controls where Enso may add same-chain routing around the bridge. It defaults to "full"; omit it to allow routing on both chains. Use a narrower mode when your product requires a specific crosschain route shape. This option applies only when destinationChainId is set.

Response Structure

Use these fields to build the quote review screen:
Always use the complete tx object returned by the API, and use the gas value for your transaction.
  • The to address varies based on routing strategy, and other fields like value and data are precisely calculated for your specific route.
  • The gas value estimate comes from actual simulation and helps prevent out-of-gas transaction failures.

Examples

The following examples progress from simple token swaps to complex crosschain vault interactions. Each example builds on concepts from previous ones, demonstrating how the Route API handles increasingly sophisticated DeFi operations automatically.

0. Install & Authenticate

You can interact with the API using Enso SDK or directly via a REST API. You can explore Enso through API Sandbox. To install the SDK run the following command:
To use the API, authenticate using the API key.

1. Simple Token Swap

Start with the most basic routing operation: swapping ETH for USDC on Ethereum mainnet.
SDK

2. Zap into Vault

Enter a Yearn vault directly from ETH, automatically handling any intermediate swaps and vault deposits.
SDK
What’s happening: The router automatically wraps ETH to WETH, then deposits into the Yearn vault. The amountOut represents vault shares, not underlying tokens.

3. Vault Migration

Move from one yield protocol to another - exit Yearn vault and enter Aave lending position.
SDK
Complex routing: This involves exiting one protocol (Yearn) and entering another (Aave). The route array will show multiple steps including withdrawal, potential swaps, and final deposit.

4. Crosschain Transfer

Move assets between blockchains using Enso’s integrated bridge routing.
SDK
Crosschain considerations: Higher slippage accounts for bridge fees and potential price differences. The feeAmount shows bridge costs, and route reveals pre- and post- bridging steps.

5. Crosschain Vault Zapping

The most complex example: bridge assets and enter a vault on the destination chain in one transaction.
SDK
Maximum complexity: This combines crosschain bridging with vault interaction.

Route vs Bundle Output

Route returns a single optimized path from the requested input position to the requested output position. The route array explains the actions Enso selected, while tx, amountOut, and gas are the execution fields your application should display and submit. Bundle returns a transaction built from the explicit actions you provide. When bundled actions include routing, the response can also include route-style information for those routed segments, giving users and reviewers more transparency into how the final transaction was constructed. Use Route when the product can express the desired outcome as tokenIn -> tokenOut. Use Bundle when the product must control the exact sequence of actions, such as checking a bridged balance, harvesting rewards, borrowing, repaying, or depositing through a protocol-specific path.

When to Use Other APIs

  • Bundle API: When you need custom multi-step logic or want to orchestrate specific actions in sequence, or you need actions beyond swap, deposit and redeem the route API uses
  • Nontokenized Positions: For lending positions that don’t issue tokens (like Aave debt positions)
  • Approval Endpoint: Managing token permissions when using "router" strategy

Supporting APIs

  • Tokens API: Discover available tokens and their addresses across chains
  • Prices API: Get current token valuations for your UI
  • Networks API: List supported chains and their details

Updated