title: instance API methods description: Discover information about a Mastodon website. menu: docs:
weight: 70
name: instance
parent: methods
identifier: methods-instance
aliases: [ "/methods/instance", "/api/methods/instance",
GET /api/v2/instance
Obtain general information about the server.
Returns: Instance\ OAuth: Public\ Version history:\ 4.0.0 - added
{
"domain": "mastodon.social",
"title": "Mastodon",
"version": "4.0.0rc1",
"source_url": "https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon",
"description": "The original server operated by the Mastodon gGmbH non-profit",
"usage": {
"users": {
"active_month": 123122
}
},
"thumbnail": {
"url": "https://files.mastodon.social/site_uploads/files/000/000/001/@1x/57c12f441d083cde.png",
"blurhash": "UeKUpFxuo~R%0nW;WCnhF6RjaJt757oJodS$",
"versions": {
"@1x": "https://files.mastodon.social/site_uploads/files/000/000/001/@1x/57c12f441d083cde.png",
"@2x": "https://files.mastodon.social/site_uploads/files/000/000/001/@2x/57c12f441d083cde.png"
}
},
"languages": [
"en"
],
"configuration": {
"urls": {
"streaming": "wss://mastodon.social"
},
"accounts": {
"max_featured_tags": 10
},
"statuses": {
"max_characters": 500,
"max_media_attachments": 4,
"characters_reserved_per_url": 23
},
"media_attachments": {
"supported_mime_types": [
"image/jpeg",
"image/png",
"image/gif",
"image/heic",
"image/heif",
"image/webp",
"video/webm",
"video/mp4",
"video/quicktime",
"video/ogg",
"audio/wave",
"audio/wav",
"audio/x-wav",
"audio/x-pn-wave",
"audio/vnd.wave",
"audio/ogg",
"audio/vorbis",
"audio/mpeg",
"audio/mp3",
"audio/webm",
"audio/flac",
"audio/aac",
"audio/m4a",
"audio/x-m4a",
"audio/mp4",
"audio/3gpp",
"video/x-ms-asf"
],
"image_size_limit": 10485760,
"image_matrix_limit": 16777216,
"video_size_limit": 41943040,
"video_frame_rate_limit": 60,
"video_matrix_limit": 2304000
},
"polls": {
"max_options": 4,
"max_characters_per_option": 50,
"min_expiration": 300,
"max_expiration": 2629746
},
"translation": {
"enabled": true
}
},
"registrations": {
"enabled": false,
"approval_required": false,
"message": null
},
"contact": {
"email": "staff@mastodon.social",
"account": {
"id": "1",
"username": "Gargron",
"acct": "Gargron",
"display_name": "Eugen 💀",
"locked": false,
"bot": false,
"discoverable": true,
"group": false,
"created_at": "2016-03-16T00:00:00.000Z",
"note": "<p>Founder, CEO and lead developer <span class=\"h-card\"><a href=\"https://mastodon.social/@Mastodon\" class=\"u-url mention\">@<span>Mastodon</span></a></span>, Germany.</p>",
"url": "https://mastodon.social/@Gargron",
"avatar": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/avatars/000/000/001/original/dc4286ceb8fab734.jpg",
"avatar_static": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/avatars/000/000/001/original/dc4286ceb8fab734.jpg",
"header": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/headers/000/000/001/original/3b91c9965d00888b.jpeg",
"header_static": "https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/headers/000/000/001/original/3b91c9965d00888b.jpeg",
"followers_count": 133026,
"following_count": 311,
"statuses_count": 72605,
"last_status_at": "2022-10-31",
"noindex": false,
"emojis": [],
"fields": [
{
"name": "Patreon",
"value": "<a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/mastodon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer me\"><span class=\"invisible\">https://www.</span><span class=\"\">patreon.com/mastodon</span><span class=\"invisible\"></span></a>",
"verified_at": null
}
]
}
},
"rules": [
{
"id": "1",
"text": "Sexually explicit or violent media must be marked as sensitive when posting"
},
{
"id": "2",
"text": "No racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or casteism"
},
{
"id": "3",
"text": "No incitement of violence or promotion of violent ideologies"
},
{
"id": "4",
"text": "No harassment, dogpiling or doxxing of other users"
},
{
"id": "5",
"text": "No content illegal in Germany"
},
{
"id": "7",
"text": "Do not share intentionally false or misleading information"
}
]
}
GET /api/v1/instance/peers HTTP/1.1
Domains that this instance is aware of.
Returns: Array of String\ OAuth: Public\ Version history:\ 2.1.2 - added\ 3.0.0 - requires user token if instance is in whitelist mode
Authorization
: Provide this header with Bearer <user token>
to gain authorized access to this API method.
["tilde.zone","mspsocial.net",...,"conf.tube"]
If the instance is in whitelist mode and the Authorization header is missing or invalid
{
"error": "This API requires an authenticated user"
}
GET /api/v1/instance/activity HTTP/1.1
Instance activity over the last 3 months, binned weekly.
Returns: Array of Hash\ OAuth: Public\ Version history:\ 2.1.2 - added\ 3.0.0 - requires user token if instance is in whitelist mode
Authorization
: Provide this header with Bearer <user token>
to gain authorized access to this API method.
Each hash in the array will contain the following attributes:
week : String (UNIX Timestamp). Midnight at the first day of the week.
statuses : String (cast from an integer). The number of Statuses created since the week began.
logins : String (cast from an integer). The number of user logins since the week began.
registrations : String (cast from an integer). The number of user registrations since the week began.
[
{
"week": "1574640000",
"statuses": "37125",
"logins": "14239",
"registrations": "542"
},
{
"week": "1574035200",
"statuses": "244447",
"logins": "28820",
"registrations": "4425"
},
{
"week": "1573430400",
"statuses": "270615",
"logins": "35388",
"registrations": "8781"
},
{
"week": "1572825600",
"statuses": "309722",
"logins": "44433",
"registrations": "26165"
},
{
"week": "1572220800",
"statuses": "116227",
"logins": "19739",
"registrations": "2926"
},
{
"week": "1571616000",
"statuses": "119932",
"logins": "19247",
"registrations": "3188"
},
{
"week": "1571011200",
"statuses": "117892",
"logins": "19164",
"registrations": "3107"
},
{
"week": "1570406400",
"statuses": "109092",
"logins": "18763",
"registrations": "2986"
},
{
"week": "1569801600",
"statuses": "107554",
"logins": "19614",
"registrations": "2904"
},
{
"week": "1569196800",
"statuses": "118067",
"logins": "19703",
"registrations": "3295"
},
{
"week": "1568592000",
"statuses": "110199",
"logins": "19791",
"registrations": "3026"
},
{
"week": "1567987200",
"statuses": "106029",
"logins": "19089",
"registrations": "2769"
}
]
If the instance is in whitelist mode and the Authorization header is missing or invalid
{
"error": "This API requires an authenticated user"
}
GET /api/v1/instance/rules HTTP/1.1
Rules that the users of this service should follow.
Returns: Array of Rule\ OAuth: Public\ Version history:\ 3.4.0 - added
[
{
"id": "1",
"text": "Sexually explicit or violent media must be marked as sensitive when posting"
},
{
"id": "2",
"text": "No racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or casteism"
},
{
"id": "3",
"text": "No incitement of violence or promotion of violent ideologies"
},
{
"id": "4",
"text": "No harassment, dogpiling or doxxing of other users"
},
{
"id": "5",
"text": "No content illegal in Germany"
},
{
"id": "7",
"text": "Do not share intentionally false or misleading information"
}
]
GET /api/v1/instance/domain_blocks HTTP/1.1
Obtain a list of domains that have been blocked.
Returns: Array of DomainBlock\ OAuth: Public, or User token if limited to users\ Version history:\ 4.0.0 - added
Authorization
: Provide this header with Bearer <user token>
to gain authorized access to this API method.
The complete list of domains blocked by this instance
[
{
"domain":"birb.elfenban.de",
"digest":"5d2c6e02a0cced8fb05f32626437e3d23096480b47efbba659b6d9e80c85d280",
"severity":"suspend",
"comment":"Third-party bots"
},
{
"domain":"birdbots.leptonics.com",
"digest":"ce019d8d32cce8e369ac4367f4dc232103e6f489fbdd247fb99f9c8a646078a4",
"severity":"suspend",
"comment":"Third-party bots"
},
// ...
]
Invalid or missing Authorization header, if the admin has chosen to show domain blocks to users.
{
"error": "The access token is invalid"
}
The admin has chosen to show domain blocks to no one. The response body is empty; only the HTTP 404 error code is relevant.
GET /api/v1/instance/extended_description HTTP/1.1
Obtain an extended description of this server
Returns: ExtendedDescription\ OAuth: Public\ Version history:\ 4.0.0 - added
{
"updated_at":"2022-11-03T04:09:07Z",
"content":"<p>For inquiries not related specifically to the operation of this server, such as press inquiries, please contact <a href=\"mailto:press@joinmastodon.org\">press@joinmastodon.org</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>Funding</h2>\n\n<p>This server is crowdfunded by <a href=\"https://patreon.com/mastodon\">Patreon donations</a>. For a list of sponsors, see <a href=\"https://joinmastodon.org/sponsors\">joinmastodon.org</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>Reporting and moderation</h2>\n\n<p>When reporting accounts, please make sure to include at least a few posts that show rule-breaking behaviour, when applicable. If there is any additional context that might help make a decision, please also include it in the comment. This is especially important when the content is in a language nobody on the moderation team speaks.</p>\n\n<p>We usually handle reports within 24 hours. Please mind that you are not notified when a report you have made has led to a punitive action, and that not all punitive actions are externally visible. For first time offenses, we may opt to delete offending content, escalating to harsher measures on repeat offenses.</p>\n\n<h2>Impressum</h2>\n\n<p>Mastodon gGmbH<br>\nMühlenstraße 8a<br>\n14167 Berlin<br>\nGermany</p>\n\n<p>E-Mail-Adresse: hello@joinmastodon.org</p>\n\n<p>Vertretungsberechtigt: Eugen Rochko (Geschäftsführer)</p>\n\n<p>Umsatzsteuer Identifikationsnummer (USt-ID): DE344258260</p>\n\n<p>Handelsregister<br>\nGeführt bei: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg<br>\nNummer: HRB 230086 B</p>\n"
}
GET /api/v1/instance HTTP/1.1
Obtain general information about the server.
Returns: V1::Instance\
OAuth: Public\
Version history:\
1.1.0 - added\
3.0.0 - requires user token if instance is in whitelist mode\
3.1.4 - added invites_enabled
to response\
3.4.0 - added rules
\
3.4.2 - added configuration
\
4.0.0 - deprecated. added configuration[accounts]
.
{
"uri":"mastodon.social",
"title":"Mastodon",
"short_description":"The original server operated by the Mastodon gGmbH non-profit",
"description":"",
"email":"staff@mastodon.social",
"version":"3.5.3",
"urls":{
"streaming_api":"wss://mastodon.social"
},
"stats":{
"user_count":812303,
"status_count":38151616,
"domain_count":25255
},
"thumbnail":"https://files.mastodon.social/site_uploads/files/000/000/001/original/vlcsnap-2018-08-27-16h43m11s127.png",
"languages":[
"en"
],
"registrations":false,
"approval_required":false,
"invites_enabled":true,
"configuration":{
"statuses":{
"max_characters":500,
"max_media_attachments":4,
"characters_reserved_per_url":23
},
"media_attachments":{
"supported_mime_types":[
"image/jpeg",
"image/png",
"image/gif",
"image/webp",
"video/webm",
"video/mp4",
"video/quicktime",
"video/ogg",
"audio/wave",
"audio/wav",
"audio/x-wav",
"audio/x-pn-wave",
"audio/vnd.wave",
"audio/ogg",
"audio/vorbis",
"audio/mpeg",
"audio/mp3",
"audio/webm",
"audio/flac",
"audio/aac",
"audio/m4a",
"audio/x-m4a",
"audio/mp4",
"audio/3gpp",
"video/x-ms-asf"
],
"image_size_limit":10485760,
"image_matrix_limit":16777216,
"video_size_limit":41943040,
"video_frame_rate_limit":60,
"video_matrix_limit":2304000
},
"polls":{
"max_options":4,
"max_characters_per_option":50,
"min_expiration":300,
"max_expiration":2629746
}
},
"contact_account":{
"id":"1",
"username":"Gargron",
"acct":"Gargron",
"display_name":"Eugen",
"locked":false,
"bot":false,
"discoverable":true,
"group":false,
"created_at":"2016-03-16T00:00:00.000Z",
"note":"\u003cp\u003eFounder, CEO and lead developer \u003cspan class=\"h-card\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://mastodon.social/@Mastodon\" class=\"u-url mention\"\u003e@\u003cspan\u003eMastodon\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e, Germany.\u003c/p\u003e",
"url":"https://mastodon.social/@Gargron",
"avatar":"https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/avatars/000/000/001/original/dc4286ceb8fab734.jpg",
"avatar_static":"https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/avatars/000/000/001/original/dc4286ceb8fab734.jpg",
"header":"https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/headers/000/000/001/original/3b91c9965d00888b.jpeg",
"header_static":"https://files.mastodon.social/accounts/headers/000/000/001/original/3b91c9965d00888b.jpeg",
"followers_count":118944,
"following_count":305,
"statuses_count":72309,
"last_status_at":"2022-08-24",
"emojis":[
],
"fields":[
{
"name":"Patreon",
"value":"\u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/mastodon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer me\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"invisible\"\u003ehttps://www.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003epatreon.com/mastodon\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"invisible\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e",
"verified_at":null
}
]
},
"rules":[
{
"id":"1",
"text":"Sexually explicit or violent media must be marked as sensitive when posting"
},
{
"id":"2",
"text":"No racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or casteism"
},
{
"id":"3",
"text":"No incitement of violence or promotion of violent ideologies"
},
{
"id":"4",
"text":"No harassment, dogpiling or doxxing of other users"
},
{
"id":"5",
"text":"No content illegal in Germany"
},
{
"id":"7",
"text":"Do not share intentionally false or misleading information"
}
]
}
{{< caption-link url="https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/blob/main/app/controllers/api/v1/instances_controller.rb" caption="app/controllers/api/v1/instances_controller.rb" >}}
{{< caption-link url="https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/blob/main/app/controllers/api/v1/instances/activity_controller.rb" caption="app/controllers/api/v1/instances/activity_controller.rb" >}}
{{< caption-link url="https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/blob/main/app/controllers/api/v1/instances/peers_controller.rb" caption="app/controllers/api/v1/instances/peers_controller.rb" >}}
{{< caption-link url="https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/blob/main/app/controllers/api/v1/instances/rules_controller.rb" caption="app/controllers/api/v1/instances/rules_controller.rb" >}}