If your Mastodon instance feels slow during peak hours or returns database timeout errors in the web interface, the default PostgreSQL configuration is likely the culprit. Mastodon relies heavily on database queries for timelines, notifications, and search. Out-of-the-box Postgres settings are designed for a typical web application, not a federated social network that can serve … Read more
Mastodon instances store user uploads such as images, videos, and files. Every instance operator must choose between storing these files on the local disk of the server or using an object storage service like Amazon S3 or a compatible alternative. The choice affects performance, cost, scalability, and data durability. This article compares the two approaches … Read more
When you run your own Mastodon server, background jobs like sending emails, processing media uploads, and delivering posts to other instances are handled by Sidekiq. If Sidekiq queues are not configured correctly, your instance can become slow, unresponsive, or fail to deliver messages. This article explains how Sidekiq queue configuration works in Mastodon and provides … Read more
If your Mastodon instance suddenly stops serving images, videos, or new posts, a full disk caused by the media cache is often the culprit. The media cache stores all images, videos, and previews that users on your instance view from other instances. Over weeks or months, this cache can grow to tens of gigabytes, filling … Read more
Mastodon’s default search only finds exact usernames and hashtags. This limitation frustrates power users and community managers who need to locate posts by keywords or phrases across the federated timeline. The cause is that Mastodon stores posts in a PostgreSQL database without a full-text index by default. This article explains how to install and configure … Read more
Running a Mastodon instance with Docker Compose in a production environment requires more than just copying the default configuration files. Many administrators find their instance becomes slow, unresponsive, or suffers from database connection failures after a few days of live use. These problems usually stem from missing performance tuning, inadequate resource allocation, or incorrect volume … Read more
Many Mastodon instance administrators want to give their community a unique look that stands out from the default interface. The stock Mastodon theme uses a clean blue-and-white design, but it may not match your brand or personal preference. Custom CSS themes let you change colors, fonts, spacing, and layout elements across the entire web interface. … Read more
As a Mastodon instance administrator, you may want to control who can join your community to prevent spam, bots, or unwanted users. Mastodon provides a built-in sign-up approval workflow that lets you review and approve or reject new account requests before they gain access. This article explains how to enable the approval mode, manage pending … Read more
Mastodon instances can slow down or become unresponsive without warning. You might notice the federated timeline loading slowly, posts failing to send, or the web interface timing out. These issues often stem from server resource strain, database bottlenecks, or failing background jobs. This article explains how to use Mastodon’s built-in health check endpoints and admin … Read more
When your Mastodon instance stops sending emails for password resets, confirmations, or notifications, users cannot complete registration or recover accounts. This problem usually stems from incorrect SMTP settings, firewall blocks, or authentication failures with your email provider. This article explains the common causes of SMTP mail delivery failures on Mastodon and provides step-by-step fixes to … Read more