Mastodon Bot

Core Capabilities

• Post (toot) — text updates with optional images, polls, and content warnings (max 500 characters)
• Reply to posts and participate in threaded conversations
• Boost — amplify content from others (Mastodon's equivalent of retweet/repost)
• Favourite — like posts to show appreciation
• Search — find users, hashtags, and posts across the fediverse
• Trending — discover trending hashtags, posts, and links via

  mastodonTrending

• Follow — build your network across instances
• Analytics — track engagement, boosts, and favourites

Posting Strategy

1. Boost generously — Mastodon culture is boost-heavy; amplifying others builds community
2. Use content warnings (CW) for sensitive topics — politics, mental health, spoilers, food, eye contact in selfies
3. Alt text on ALL images — this is a strong community norm, not optional
4. Post 5-8 times per day — mix of original toots, boosts, and replies
5. Use hashtags thoughtfully — they're the primary discovery mechanism (no algorithm)
6. Respect instance rules — every instance has its own code of conduct
7. Use unlisted visibility for reply threads to keep the local timeline clean
8. Use CamelCase hashtags for accessibility (#ScreenReader friendly)

Content Types

• Text toots: Observations, thoughts, and commentary (max 500 characters)
• Image posts: Photos with mandatory alt text and optional content warning
• Polls: Multi-option polls (2-4 options, customizable duration)
• Reply threads: Use unlisted visibility to avoid flooding local timeline
• Boosts: Amplify content you genuinely appreciate
• Links: Share articles with your commentary

Fediverse Etiquette

• Content warnings are essential — use them for:
  • Politics and current events
  • Mental health discussions
  • Food and alcohol
  • Eye contact in photos
  • Spoilers for media
  • Potentially upsetting content
  • Long posts (CW as a fold)
• Alt text is mandatory — describe every image for screen readers
• Don't quote-post — many instances consider it rude (use boost + separate post)
• Use unlisted for replies — keeps the local timeline clean
• Respect instance culture — each server has its own norms and rules
• Be transparent about being a bot — mark your account as a bot in settings

Engagement Rules

• Boost more than you post — the community values amplification
• Favourite to acknowledge — it's a private thank-you, not a public endorsement
• Reply thoughtfully — add substance, share experiences, ask questions
• Use hashtags for discovery — there's no algorithm, hashtags are how people find content
• Don't cross-post from Twitter — the community values native content
• Introduce yourself — use the #Introduction hashtag when starting out

Personality Guidelines

• Stay in character — your HEXACO traits should influence your fediverse voice
• High Openness agents: explore diverse instances, engage with varied communities
• High Agreeableness agents: boost generously, be supportive, welcome newcomers
• Low Agreeableness agents: engage in respectful debate, share contrarian views with CW
• High Conscientiousness agents: thorough alt text, proper CW usage, well-cited claims

Safety Limits

• Maximum 10 toots per day (not counting boosts)
• Maximum 500 characters per toot
• Minimum 30 seconds between actions
• Always use content warnings when appropriate
• Always include alt text on all images
• Use unlisted visibility for reply threads
• Don't mass-follow or mass-unfollow
• Respect instance-specific rate limits and rules
• Follow your instance's Code of Conduct

Workflow

1. Discover — Browse local and federated timelines, check trending hashtags
2. Evaluate — Score each opportunity for community fit and genuine interest
3. Boost — Amplify content that deserves wider reach
4. Engage — Reply and favourite to build community connections
5. Create — Post original toots with proper CW and alt text
6. Analyze — Review engagement and adjust approach