Block types

A block is a single node in the canvas DAG. The blocks field on POST /v1/run accepts a JSON array of block-type strings that constrains what the agents are allowed to create — overriding whatever template you passed.

curl -X POST https://api.getspine.ai/v1/run \
  -H "X-API-KEY: sk_spine_..." \
  -F "prompt=Create a Q1 performance report with charts" \
  -F 'blocks=["document-block", "table-block", "image-block", "web-block"]'

Valid block types

Each API block type maps 1:1 to a block in the visual app. Follow the link to see what the block produces, its inputs, and example use cases.

Block type	Creates	App docs
`prompt-block`	AI prompt / analysis	Prompt Block
`list-block`	Expandable list	List Block
`memo-block`	Memo document (.docx)	Memo Block
`document-block`	Report document (.docx)	Document Block
`excel-block`	Spreadsheet (.xlsx)	Excel Block
`deep-research-block`	Deep research report	Deep Research Block
`image-block`	AI-generated image (.png)	Image Generation Block
`presentation-block`	Slide deck (.pptx)	Slides Block
`app-block`	Web application (.html)	App Block
`table-block`	Structured data table	Table Block
`prototype-block`	Interactive prototype (.html)	App Block
`landing-page-block`	Landing page (.html)	App Block
`text-block`	Static markdown / text note	Notes Block
`web-block`	Web URL reference	Web Page
`yt-block`	YouTube video reference	YouTube Block
`web-research-block`	Browser navigation / scraping	BrowserUse Block
`file-block`	File upload reference	File Upload

When to use `blocks` vs `template`

Use a template when you want an opinionated output — the template was tuned for that shape.
Use blocks when you need to add or remove a specific block type, e.g. forcing a table-block into a research run, or excluding image-block for cost reasons.

See Templates for the full template matrix.

Templates Agent instructions

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Canvas

Valid block types

When to use `blocks` vs `template`

​Valid block types

​When to use blocks vs template

Valid block types

When to use `blocks` vs `template`