Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server. A decentralized solution to commercial platforms, it avoids the risks of a single company monopolizing your communication. Anyone can run Mastodon and participate in the social network seamlessly.
Mastodon is a **free, open-source social network server** based on **open web protocols** like ActivityPub and OStatus. The social focus of the project is a viable decentralized alternative to commercial social media silos that returns the control of the content distribution channels to the people. The technical focus of the project is a good user interface, a clean REST API for 3rd party apps and robust anti-abuse tools.
An alternative implementation of the GNU social project. Based on [ActivityStreams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activity_Streams_(format)), [Webfinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebFinger), [WebSub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebSub) and [Salmon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon_(protocol)).
Click on the screenshot to watch a demo of the UI:
Click on the screenshot below to watch a demo of the UI:
The project focus is a clean REST API and a good user interface. Ruby on Rails is used for the back-end, while React.js and Redux are used for the dynamic front-end. A static front-end for public resources (profiles and statuses) is also provided.
**Ruby on Rails** is used for the back-end, while **React.js** and Redux are used for the dynamic front-end. A static front-end for public resources (profiles and statuses) is also provided.
If you would like, you can [support the development of this project on Patreon][patreon]. Alternatively, you can donate to this BTC address: `17j2g7vpgHhLuXhN4bueZFCvdxxieyRVWd`
[patreon]: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=619786
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## Resources
- [List of Mastodon instances](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/List-of-Mastodon-instances.md)
- [Use this tool to find Twitter friends on Mastodon](https://mastodon-bridge.herokuapp.com)
- [List of Mastodon instances](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/List-of-Mastodon-instances.md)
- [List of apps](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/Apps.md)
- [List of sponsors](https://joinmastodon.org/sponsors)
## Features
- **Fully interoperable with GNU social and any OStatus platform**
Whatever implements Atom feeds, ActivityStreams, Salmon, WebSub and Webfinger is part of the network
- **Real-time timeline updates**
See the updates of people you're following appear in real-time in the UI via WebSockets
- **Federated thread resolving**
If someone you follow replies to a user unknown to the server, the server fetches the full thread so you can view it without leaving the UI
- **Media attachments like images and WebM**
Upload and view images and WebM videos attached to the updates
- **OAuth2 and a straightforward REST API**
Mastodon acts as an OAuth2 provider so 3rd party apps can use the API, which is RESTful and simple
- **Background processing for long-running tasks**
Mastodon tries to be as fast and responsive as possible, so all long-running tasks that can be delegated to background processing, are
- **Deployable via Docker**
You don't need to mess with dependencies and configuration if you want to try Mastodon, if you have Docker and Docker Compose the deployment is extremely easy
**No vendor lock-in: Fully interoperable with any conforming platform**
It doesn't have to be Mastodon, whatever implements ActivityPub or OStatus is part of the social network!
**Real-time timeline updates**
See the updates of people you're following appear in real-time in the UI via WebSockets. There's a firehose view as well!
**Federated thread resolving**
If someone you follow replies to a user unknown to the server, the server fetches the full thread so you can view it without leaving the UI
**Media attachments like images and short videos**
Upload and view images and WebM/MP4 videos attached to the updates. Videos with no audio track are treated like GIFs; normal videos are looped - like vines!
**OAuth2 and a straightforward REST API**
Mastodon acts as an OAuth2 provider so 3rd party apps can use the API
**Fast response times**
Mastodon tries to be as fast and responsive as possible, so all long-running tasks are delegated to background processing
**Deployable via Docker**
You don't need to mess with dependencies and configuration if you want to try Mastodon, if you have Docker and Docker Compose the deployment is extremely easy
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## Development
Please follow the [development guide](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Running-Mastodon/Development-guide.md) from the documentation repository.
@ -62,9 +78,8 @@ You can open issues for bugs you've found or features you think are missing. You
**IRC channel**: #mastodon on irc.freenode.net
## Extra credits
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- The [Emoji One](https://github.com/Ranks/emojione) pack has been used for the emojis
- The error page image courtesy of [Dopatwo](https://www.youtube.com/user/dopatwo)
Eugen Rochko
6 years ago
GitHub