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toddsundsted/ktistec

A lightweight ActivityPub server for individual users and small trusted groups, using SQLite instead of a multi-service stack.

Open-source alternative to:Mastodon

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Last commit
19 hours ago

What is it?

Ktistec is an ActivityPub server built for small numbers of trusted users, where everyone is an administrator. It runs with few runtime dependencies: it uses SQLite as its database rather than requiring PostgreSQL, Redis, or similar services, and it is licensed under AGPLv3.

On the user side, it offers a rich text editor and a Markdown editor, draft posts saved as you type, threaded replies, polls, content warnings, and content filters and blocking. It also supports custom feeds built from keywords, hashtags, and mentions, or from user-written judge programs, along with RSS feeds, bookmarks, pinned posts, and quote posts that follow the FEP-044f consent model.

For operators and scripters, Ktistec provides a documented API authenticated by an API key, background tasks, periodic scripts run from an etc/scripts directory, X-Ray mode for inspecting JSON-LD, and an MCP server for read-oriented access from MCP clients.

Key features

  • 01Rich text and Markdown editors with image alt text and focal points
  • 02Draft posts saved automatically as you type
  • 03Custom feeds matched by keywords, hashtags, and mentions, or by custom judge programs
  • 04Content filters, blocking, and control over reply visibility
  • 05Polls, RSS feeds, bookmarks, pinned posts, and quote posts
  • 06Scriptable API authenticated by an API key

Use cases

  • Running a personal ActivityPub presence on your own domain
  • Hosting a small community of trusted friends or a family group on the Fediverse
  • Automating posts, follows, and feed management through scripts
  • Inspecting and debugging ActivityPub federation with X-Ray mode

Things to know

  • Licensed under AGPL-3.0, a copyleft license that requires derivative works to be released under the same terms.
  • Designed for small numbers of trusted users, where everyone is an administrator, not for large public instances.
  • Written in Crystal, so you will need a Crystal toolchain to build it.

In collections

Self-hosted appsDatabases & SQL tools

Topics

#activitypub#fediverse#crystal#self-hosted#sqlite#social-network#federation

FAQ

What is ktistec?
A lightweight ActivityPub server for individual users and small trusted groups, using SQLite instead of a multi-service stack. Ktistec is an ActivityPub server built for small numbers of trusted users, where everyone is an administrator. It runs with few runtime dependencies: it uses SQLite as its database rather than requiring PostgreSQL, Redis, or similar services, and it is licensed under AGPLv3.
Is ktistec free to use? What license does it have?
ktistec is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is ktistec still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to ktistec was on Nov 6, 2026.
What can I use ktistec for?
Running a personal ActivityPub presence on your own domain Hosting a small community of trusted friends or a family group on the Fediverse Automating posts, follows, and feed management through scripts Inspecting and debugging ActivityPub federation with X-Ray mode
Where can I get ktistec?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/toddsundsted/ktistec

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