> 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/typescript/react/hooks/useshieldedcontract.md).

# useShieldedContract

Get a ShieldedContract instance for reads and writes

Hook that creates a `ShieldedContract` instance from seismic-viem's `getShieldedContract`. Provides a contract object with type-safe methods for both shielded writes and signed reads.

```typescript
import { useShieldedContract } from "seismic-react";
```

## Config

| Parameter | Type      | Required | Description      |
| --------- | --------- | -------- | ---------------- |
| `abi`     | `Abi`     | Yes      | Contract ABI     |
| `address` | `Address` | Yes      | Contract address |

## Return Type

| Property   | Type                       | Description                            |
| ---------- | -------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `contract` | `ShieldedContract \| null` | The shielded contract instance         |
| `abi`      | `Abi`                      | The ABI passed in                      |
| `address`  | `Address`                  | The address passed in                  |
| `error`    | `Error \| null`            | Error if wallet client not initialized |

***

## Usage

### Basic

```typescript
import { useShieldedContract } from 'seismic-react'

const abi = [
  {
    name: 'balanceOf',
    type: 'function',
    stateMutability: 'view',
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: '', type: 'uint256' }],
  },
  {
    name: 'transfer',
    type: 'function',
    stateMutability: 'nonpayable',
    inputs: [
      { name: 'to', type: 'address' },
      { name: 'amount', type: 'uint256' },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
] as const

function MyContract() {
  const { contract, error } = useShieldedContract({
    abi,
    address: '0x1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef12345678',
  })

  if (error) return <div>Error: {error.message}</div>
  if (!contract) return <div>Loading contract...</div>

  return <div>Contract ready</div>
}
```

### Using the contract for reads and writes

Once you have a `ShieldedContract` instance, call its methods directly for both signed reads and shielded writes:

```typescript
import { useShieldedContract } from 'seismic-react'
import { useState } from 'react'

function TokenActions() {
  const [balance, setBalance] = useState<bigint | null>(null)
  const { contract } = useShieldedContract({ abi, address: CONTRACT_ADDRESS })

  async function readBalance() {
    if (!contract) return
    const result = await contract.read.balanceOf()
    setBalance(result as bigint)
  }

  async function transfer() {
    if (!contract) return
    const hash = await contract.write.transfer(['0xRecipient...', 100n])
    console.log('Transfer tx:', hash)
  }

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={readBalance}>Check Balance</button>
      {balance !== null && <p>Balance: {balance.toString()}</p>}
      <button onClick={transfer}>Transfer</button>
    </div>
  )
}
```

### TypeScript ABI typing

For full type inference on contract methods, define your ABI with `as const`:

```typescript
const abi = [
  {
    name: "increment",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "number",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

// TypeScript now infers the available methods and their argument/return types
const { contract } = useShieldedContract({ abi, address: "0x..." });
```

{% hint style="info" %}
`useShieldedContract` requires a connected wallet via `ShieldedWalletProvider`. The `contract` field is `null` until the wallet client is initialized.
{% endhint %}

## See Also

* [useShieldedWallet](/clients/typescript/react/hooks/useshieldedwallet.md) -- Access the underlying wallet and public clients
* [useShieldedWriteContract](/clients/typescript/react/hooks/useshieldedwrite.md) -- Send encrypted writes without a contract instance
* [useSignedReadContract](/clients/typescript/react/hooks/useshieldedread.md) -- Perform signed reads without a contract instance
* [ShieldedWalletProvider](/clients/typescript/react/shielded-wallet-provider.md) -- Context provider required by this hook
* [Hooks Overview](/clients/typescript/react/hooks.md) -- Summary of all hooks


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.seismic.systems/clients/typescript/react/hooks/useshieldedcontract.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.