Public Utilities API (Anon) is designed for quick, low-friction checks.
It is anonymous (no API key required) and rate-limited for fair usage. For higher limits and full platform capabilities, use the Public API (v1) with an API key.

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What is the Anon API?

The Watchman Tower Public Utilities API (Anon) provides lightweight utility endpoints you can call without authentication to:
  • Request domain snapshots (async)
  • Poll snapshot status/results
  • Schedule a 24h domain report to an email address
  • (Soon) Run basic SSL, HTTP, and DNS utilities

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Key Characteristics

No Auth

No API key required — quick integration for prototypes and tools

Rate Limited

Fair usage limits to protect the platform and keep it reliable for everyone

Async by Design

Some operations return a request id and must be polled until ready

Safe Responses

Only safe, non-sensitive fields are returned in anon mode

Great for Tooling

Ideal for CLIs, scripts, internal tools, and dev workflows

Upgrade Path

When you need scale, switch to API-key endpoints with higher limits

Try in Postman

Fork the collection and start testing the Anon API in seconds. No API key required.

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Base URL

Anon endpoints are available at: 
https://api.watchmantower.com/public/anon

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How it works (Async Snapshot)

Domain snapshots are processed asynchronously:
  1. POST a domain snapshot request
  2. You receive a snapshotId + a recommended pollAfterMs
  3. GET the snapshot result until it becomes ready
pollAfterMs is a hint for how long you should wait before polling again.

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Use Cases

Common use cases for the anon endpoints:
  • Programmatic SEO: fetch quick domain facts for landing pages
  • Lead enrichment: enrich inbound leads with domain availability + SSL status
  • Internal tooling: build small “domain check” tools for your team
  • Developer utilities: CLI commands like wt snapshot example.com
  • Support workflows: quick checks while troubleshooting customer sites

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Available Endpoints

Right now, the anon API includes:
  • Domain Snapshot
    • POST /domain-snapshot → request an async snapshot
    • GET /domain-snapshot/{snapshotId} → poll status/result
  • 24h Domain Report
    • POST /domain-report-24h → schedule a 24-hour report and receive it by email
More utility endpoints (SSL/HTTP/DNS) will be added under the same base URL.

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Limits & Fair Usage

Anon endpoints are rate-limited. If you hit limits, you’ll receive 429 Rate Limited. Need higher limits or full platform endpoints? 👉 Use Public API (v1) with an API key:
https://api.watchmantower.com/public/v1

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Next Steps

Domain Snapshot

Request and poll domain snapshots (async)

Get Domain Snapshot

Request and poll domain snapshots (async)

24h Domain Report

Schedule a 24-hour report and receive results by email

Public API (v1)

Full platform API with API key authentication

Dashboard

Use the web dashboard (available now)