> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.knify.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Exports as API

> How canvases expose stable machine-consumable values.

Canvas exports make agent work machine-consumable.

Agents often live in shells, filesystems, browser sessions, repos, tool environments, and chat threads. The canvas gives them a structured output surface.

## Principle

Blocks are for humans. Exports are for machines.

API consumers should read named exports instead of scraping visual blocks.

## Export declaration

```json theme={null}
{
  "name": "misfire_count",
  "path": "/data/summary_metrics/misfires",
  "type": "number",
  "stable": true
}
```

## API surface

Potential endpoints:

```text theme={null}
GET /canvases/:id
GET /canvases/:id/blocks/:block_id
GET /canvases/:id/exports/:name
PATCH /canvases/:id
SUBSCRIBE /canvases/:id/events
POST /canvases/:id/fork
```

## Contract rules

* Export names should be stable across versions.
* Export paths should point into `data`, not visual-only props.
* Breaking export changes require a schema or canvas contract version bump.
* Permissions should allow API links to read exports without granting viewer or update rights.