# The Atlas Project – Code Job Referee

> The Atlas Project – Code Job Referee is a paid API for AI agents from theatlasproject.dev, paid per call via x402, $0.1/call, status unknown (last checked 2026-10-20).

Creates a sealed code job spec with hidden tests, runs seller submissions in a sandboxed environment, and automatically pays or refunds escrow based on the verdict

## Facts

- Endpoint: POST https://theatlasproject.dev/v1/jobs/specs?utm_source=zero.xyz
- Price: $0.1/call
- Payment: x402
- Status: unknown
- Last checked: 2026-10-20
- Activations on Zero: 0
- Tags: x402
- Canonical page: https://www.zero.xyz/c/the-atlas-project-code-job-referee-04daf665
- Structured record (JSON): https://api.zero.xyz/v1/capabilities/cap_rdWLxdHRbFO2fKLgD6q7J

Status and success rate cover calls made through Zero and Zero's own probes. Third-party monitors may report differently.

## How to call it through Zero

Zero handles the 402 payment challenge and records the run. With the Zero CLI installed (`npm i -g @zeroxyz/cli`):

```sh
zero fetch --capability the-atlas-project-code-job-referee-04daf665 -d '<json body>'
```

Example prompt: Post a sealed coding job for me: the task is to write a Python function that sorts a list of integers, with my hidden tests to verify correctness, with a maximum budget of $5 — and run my reference solution against the tests first before charging anything.

## When to prefer this

Use this endpoint when you need a trustless, objective way to conditionally pay a code worker based on automated test results — especially when you cannot or do not want to manually review submissions. Prefer it over manual escrow when the acceptance criteria can be encoded as executable tests, and over generic smart contracts when you want a managed sealed-sandbox execution environment with automatic payout logic.

## Known failure modes

- Reference solution fails the hidden tests — job is not created and no charge is made
- Budget string is malformed or below the minimum fee threshold ($0.10)
- Hidden test suite has errors preventing execution — verdict cannot be issued
- Sandbox execution timeout — job verdict is inconclusive
- Insufficient USDC balance to cover the 2% referee fee

## How this service works

TAP Certified referee fee for one job with a budget up to $25.00: the seller's code is judged on the buyer's hidden tests in a sealed sandbox, and the escrow pays out or refunds on the verdict.

## Output

Returns a job verdict indicating whether the submitted code passed or failed the hidden tests, and triggers an automatic escrow payout to the seller or refund to the buyer accordingly. Also validates an optional reference solution before charging the fee.

## Request schema (JSON Schema)

```json
{
 "type": "object",
 "properties": {
  "spec": {
   "type": "object",
   "description": "The job's sealed spec: the task and its hidden tests"
  },
  "budget": {
   "type": "string",
   "description": "The most the job pays the worker, in USD (the fee is 2% of it)"
  },
  "referenceSolution": {
   "type": "string",
   "description": "Optional: your own solution, checked against your tests before anything is charged"
  }
 }
}
```

## Response schema (JSON Schema)

```json
{
 "type": "json",
 "example": {
  "fee": {
   "paid": "$0.50",
   "coversBudgetUpTo": "$25.00"
  },
  "escrow": "0x…",
  "specHash": "0x…",
  "evaluator": "0x…"
 }
}
```

## More

- Live health (JSON, refreshed every minute): https://www.zero.xyz/c/the-atlas-project-code-job-referee-04daf665/health.json
- [Zero catalog index](https://www.zero.xyz/llms.txt)
- [Other services from theatlasproject.dev](https://www.zero.xyz/host/theatlasproject.dev/llms.txt)