# VIA Router — Official Sources Research

> VIA Router — Official Sources Research is a paid API for AI agents from via-router.floot.app, paid per call via x402, $0.05/call, status unknown (last checked 2026-10-10).

Routes a plain-language intent to a sourced research recommendation from official sources, with USDC micropayment via x402 on Base.

## Facts

- Endpoint: POST https://via-router.floot.app/_api/official_sources_research?utm_source=zero.xyz
- Price: $0.05/call
- Payment: x402
- Status: unknown
- Last checked: 2026-10-10
- Activations on Zero: 0
- Tags: x402
- Canonical page: https://www.zero.xyz/c/via-router-official-sources-research-aa2bd38f
- Structured record (JSON): https://api.zero.xyz/v1/capabilities/cap_OYJy0NtR0MfWzVhPeI1h7

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 via-router-official-sources-research-aa2bd38f -d '<json body>'
```

Example prompt: Can you find me an official source for information on PDF text extraction tools? Search the information market in English and give me a sourced recommendation.

## When to prefer this

Choose this endpoint when you need a sourced, authoritative recommendation backed by official references rather than a raw API or software comparison. It is distinct from VIA API Compare in that it focuses on official sources and research outputs, not just API/service comparisons. Ideal for agents that need to cite credible sources or deliver verified information to users, especially when operating in regulated or information-sensitive domains.

## Known failure modes

- Intent too vague or too short (minLength:2 not met) — returns validation error
- Unsupported market enum value — returns schema validation error
- Invalid country code format (not ISO 3166-1 alpha-2) — returns pattern mismatch error
- No matching official sources found for the intent — returns empty alternatives and null recommendation
- Payment failure or x402 settlement error — transaction not confirmed, request not fulfilled
- Rate limiting or service unavailability — HTTP 429 or 503 response

## How this service works

VIA is a paid buyer-side router for AI agents and humans. Compare APIs, services, products and sourced research with x402 USDC payments on Base.

## Output

Returns a JSON object containing a recommendation with title and official source, up to three alternative sources, the payment settlement details (network and transaction hash on Base), the toll cost in USD, and a confirmation that payment was made.

## Request schema (JSON Schema)

```json
{
 "type": "object",
 "properties": {
  "intent": {
   "type": "string",
   "maxLength": 500,
   "minLength": 2,
   "description": "Plain-language request to route"
  },
  "market": {
   "enum": [
    "auto",
    "services",
    "commerce",
    "information",
    "travel"
   ],
   "type": "string"
  },
  "country": {
   "type": "string",
   "pattern": "^[A-Z]{2}$"
  },
  "language": {
   "enum": [
    "en",
    "pt"
   ],
   "type": "string"
  }
 }
}
```

## Response schema (JSON Schema)

```json
{
 "type": "json",
 "example": {
  "paid": true,
  "intent": "Find a PDF text extractor",
  "settlement": {
   "network": "eip155:8453",
   "transaction": "0x..."
  },
  "viaTollUsd": 0.001,
  "alternatives": [],
  "recommendation": {
   "title": "PDF Text Extractor",
   "source": "Apify Store"
  }
 }
}
```

## More

- Live health (JSON, refreshed every minute): https://www.zero.xyz/c/via-router-official-sources-research-aa2bd38f/health.json
- [Zero catalog index](https://www.zero.xyz/llms.txt)
- [Other services from via-router.floot.app](https://www.zero.xyz/host/via-router.floot.app/llms.txt)