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

# GET /v2/monitor

> Lightweight change detection. Returns a boolean, count, and latest activity timestamp.

## Overview

`GET /v2/monitor` returns a minimal response — has anything changed since `last_checked`, how many new filings, and when the latest one occurred. It is designed for agents running high-frequency monitoring loops where minimizing response payload matters.

Use `/v2/monitor` to check for changes, then call `/v2/case` only when `changed` is `true` to retrieve the full filing details.

**Base URL:** `https://api.docketlayer.ai`

**Price:** \$0.99 USDC per successful query

**Sandbox:** Add `?test=1` or `X-DocketLayer-Test: 1` — returns fixture data, no charge

## Request

### Parameters

| Field          | Type   | Required | Description                                   |
| -------------- | ------ | -------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `case_id`      | string | Yes      | Case identifier — e.g. `1:24-cv-01234`        |
| `court_code`   | string | Yes      | Court identifier — e.g. `nysd`, `deb`, `cand` |
| `last_checked` | string | Yes      | ISO-8601 timestamp with timezone offset       |

`last_checked` is required on `/v2/monitor`. To get an initial snapshot without a prior timestamp, use `/v2/case`.

### Example request

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://api.docketlayer.ai/v2/monitor?case_id=1:24-cv-01234&court_code=nysd&last_checked=2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
```

## Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "req_01jt7y4kx0",
    "queried_at": "2026-04-29T12:00:00Z",
    "query_cost_usd": 0.99,
    "coverage_status": "full",
    "sandbox": false,
    "tag": null
  },
  "case_id": "1:24-cv-01234",
  "court_code": "nysd",
  "changed": false,
  "change_count": 0,
  "latest_activity_at": null
}
```

### Response fields

| Field                | Type           | Description                                                  |
| -------------------- | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `meta.queried_at`    | string         | ISO-8601 timestamp — use as `last_checked` in your next call |
| `changed`            | boolean        | Whether any new filings were detected since `last_checked`   |
| `change_count`       | number         | Number of new filings since `last_checked`                   |
| `latest_activity_at` | string \| null | Timestamp of the most recent new filing; null if none        |

## Usage pattern

```python theme={null}
import time

def monitoring_loop(case_id, court_code, last_checked):
    while True:
        result = client.get(
            "https://api.docketlayer.ai/v2/monitor",
            params={
                "case_id": case_id,
                "court_code": court_code,
                "last_checked": last_checked
            }
        ).json()

        if result["changed"]:
            # Retrieve full filing details
            details = client.get(
                "https://api.docketlayer.ai/v2/case",
                params={
                    "case_id": case_id,
                    "court_code": court_code,
                    "last_checked": last_checked
                }
            ).json()
            handle_new_filings(details["delta"]["new_filings"])

        last_checked = result["meta"]["queried_at"]
        time.sleep(3600)  # Check every hour
```

<Note>
  Both `/v2/monitor` and `/v2/case` cost \$0.99 per query. The efficiency gain of `/v2/monitor` is in response payload size, not price. For most monitoring workflows, calling `/v2/case` directly with `last_checked` is simpler and equally cost-effective.
</Note>