> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.seismic.systems/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.seismic.systems/clients/python/contract/public-contract.md).

# PublicContract

Synchronous contract wrapper for read-only transparent access to Seismic contracts.

## Overview

`PublicContract` provides a simplified interface for reading public contract state without requiring encryption or a private key. It exposes only the `.tread` namespace for standard `eth_call` operations. Use this class when you only need to read public contract data and don't need shielded operations.

## Definition

```python
class PublicContract:
    def __init__(
        self,
        w3: Web3,
        address: ChecksumAddress,
        abi: list[dict[str, Any]],
    ) -> None:
        ...
```

## Constructor Parameters

| Parameter | Type                   | Required | Description                                         |
| --------- | ---------------------- | -------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| `w3`      | `Web3`                 | Yes      | Synchronous Web3 instance connected to RPC endpoint |
| `address` | `ChecksumAddress`      | Yes      | Contract address (checksummed Ethereum address)     |
| `abi`     | `list[dict[str, Any]]` | Yes      | Contract ABI (list of function entries)             |

## Namespace

### `.tread` - Transparent Read

Executes standard `eth_call` with unencrypted calldata. This is the only namespace available on `PublicContract`.

**Returns**: `Any` (ABI-decoded Python value)

**Optional Parameters**: None (pass positional arguments only)

## Examples

### Basic Read Operations

```python
from seismic_web3 import create_public_client, PublicContract

# Create client without private key
w3 = create_public_client(
    rpc_url="https://testnet-1.seismictest.net/rpc",
)

# Create read-only contract instance
contract = PublicContract(
    w3=w3,
    address="0x1234567890123456789012345678901234567890",
    abi=CONTRACT_ABI,
)

# Read public contract state (auto-decoded)
total_supply = contract.tread.totalSupply()  # int
print(f"Total supply: {total_supply}")

balance = contract.tread.balanceOf("0xf39Fd6e51aad88F6F4ce6aB8827279cffFb92266")  # int
print(f"Balance: {balance}")
```

### Single and Multiple Returns

```python
# Single return values are returned directly
number = contract.tread.getNumber()      # int
name = contract.tread.getName()          # str
is_active = contract.tread.isActive()    # bool

# Multiple outputs are returned as a tuple
user_name, user_balance, active = contract.tread.getUserInfo(
    "0xf39Fd6e51aad88F6F4ce6aB8827279cffFb92266",
)
```

### Array Results

```python
# Read array of addresses (auto-decoded to list)
holders = contract.tread.getHolders()
print(f"Found {len(holders)} holders")
for holder in holders:
    print(f"  - {holder}")
```

### Error Handling

```python
try:
    value = contract.tread.getNumber()
    print(f"Value: {value}")

except ValueError as e:
    print(f"RPC error: {e}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Unexpected error: {e}")
```

## Notes

* **Read-only**: No write operations available (no `.write`, `.twrite`, or `.dwrite` namespaces)
* **No encryption required**: Does not use `EncryptionState` or private keys
* **No authentication**: Standard unsigned `eth_call` operations
* **Gas not consumed**: `eth_call` is free (doesn't create transactions)
* **Public data only**: Cannot access shielded/encrypted contract state

## See Also

* [AsyncPublicContract](/clients/python/contract/async-public-contract.md) - Async version of this class
* [ShieldedContract](/clients/python/contract/shielded-contract.md) - Full contract wrapper with write operations
* [create\_public\_client](/clients/python/client/create-public-client.md) - Create client without private key
* [Contract Instance Guide](/clients/python/contract.md) - Overview of contract interaction patterns


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