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

# GetByKey

## EntityID

the ID for a single entity (account, claim, file, or smart contract instance)

| Field        | Type                                                     | Description                                    |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `accountID`  | [AccountID](/reference/protobuf/basic-types/accountid)   | The Account ID for the cryptocurrency account  |
| `liveHash`   | LiveHash                                                 | A uniquely identifying livehash of an acount   |
| `fileID`     | [FileID](/reference/protobuf/basic-types/fileid)         | The file ID of the file                        |
| `contractID` | [ContractID](/reference/protobuf/basic-types/contractid) | The smart contract ID that identifies instance |

## GetByKeyQuery

Get all accounts, claims, files, and smart contract instances whose associated keys include the given Key. The given Key must not be a contractID or a ThresholdKey. This is not yet implemented in the API, but will be in the future.

| Field    | Type                                                         | Description                                                                                                                                         |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `header` | [QueryHeader](/reference/protobuf/miscellaneous/queryheader) | Standard info sent from client to node, including the signed payment, and what kind of response is requested (cost, state proof, both, or neither). |
| `key`    | [Key](/reference/protobuf/basic-types/key)                   | The key to search for. It must not contain a contractID nor a ThresholdSignature.                                                                   |

## GetByKeyResponse

Response when the client sends the node GetByKeyQuery

| Field      | Type                                                               | Description                                                                                                      |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `header`   | [ResponseHeader](/reference/protobuf/miscellaneous/responseheader) | Standard response from node to client, including the requested fields: cost, or state proof, or both, or neither |
| `entities` | EntityID                                                           | The list of entities that include this public key in their associated Key list                                   |