# GET /ui/element

Read fresh attributes for an observed element.

This is a device HTTP route. Set `DEVICE_URL` to your reachable device URL; [connection and examples](https://mcp.applesauceos.com/doc/http.md) explain how. Do not append this path to the public MCP URL.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `observationId` | query string | Required ID from ui/observe. |
| `ref` | query string | Required short reference from that same observation, such as e1. |

## Response

JSON {backend,observationId,ref,action:"read",value:attributes}.

## Example

```sh
curl --fail-with-body "$DEVICE_URL/ui/element?observationId=OBSERVATION_ID&ref=e1"
```

## Notes

Stale references return 409; observe again. Secure text fields omit their text/value.

Check the HTTP status and any JSON error. [HTTP workflows and error handling](https://mcp.applesauceos.com/doc/http-guide.md) explain shared limits. [All endpoints](https://mcp.applesauceos.com/doc/http.md).