Mastodon is a **free, open-source social network server** based on [ActivityPub](https://www.w3.org/TR/activitypub/) where users can follow friends and discover new ones. On Mastodon, users can publish anything they want: links, pictures, text, and video. All Mastodon servers are interoperable as a federated network (users on one server can seamlessly communicate with users from another one, including non-Mastodon software that implements ActivityPub!)
**Part of the Fediverse. Based on open standards, with no vendor lock-in.** - the network goes beyond just Mastodon; anything that implements ActivityPub is part of a broader social network known as [the Fediverse](https://jointhefediverse.net/). You can follow and interact with users on other servers (including those running different software), and they can follow you back.
**Media attachments** - upload and view images and videos attached to the updates. Videos with no audio track are treated like animated GIFs; normal videos loop continuously.
**Safety and moderation tools** - Mastodon includes private posts, locked accounts, phrase filtering, muting, blocking, and many other features, along with a reporting and moderation system.
**OAuth2 and a straightforward REST API** - Mastodon acts as an OAuth2 provider, and third party apps can use the REST and Streaming APIs. This results in a [rich app ecosystem](https://joinmastodon.org/apps) with a variety of choices!
This repository includes deployment configurations for **Docker and docker-compose**, as well as for other environments like Heroku and Scalingo. For Helm charts, reference the [mastodon/chart repository](https://github.com/mastodon/chart). A [**standalone** installation guide](https://docs.joinmastodon.org/admin/install/) is available in the main documentation.
Mastodon is **free, open-source software** licensed under **AGPLv3**. We welcome contributions and help from anyone who wants to improve the project.
You should read the overall [CONTRIBUTING](https://github.com/mastodon/.github/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) guide, which covers our development processes.
You should also read and understand the [CODE OF CONDUCT](https://github.com/mastodon/.github/blob/main/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) that enables us to maintain a welcoming and inclusive community. Collaboration begins with mutual respect and understanding.