1
Actor Lookup and Remote Outbox
Gabriel Kaszewski edited this page 2026-05-29 02:14:23 +00:00

Actor Lookup and Remote Outbox


Resolve a remote handle

use k_ap::LookedUpActor;

let actor: LookedUpActor = service.lookup_actor_by_handle("@user@remote.example").await?;

This sends a signed WebFinger request — required by strict instances such as Threads that reject unsigned WebFinger. The returned LookedUpActor includes:

Field Type Description
handle String user@domain format
display_name Option<String> Display name from actor JSON
bio Option<String> Summary from actor JSON
avatar_url Option<Url> Icon URL
banner_url Option<Url> Image URL
ap_url Url Stable actor URL (the AP ID)
outbox_url Option<Url> Outbox collection URL
followers_url Option<Url> Followers collection URL
following_url Option<Url> Following collection URL
also_known_as Vec<String> All known aliases
profile_url Option<Url> Profile page URL
attachment Vec<ApProfileField> PropertyValue metadata

Use lookup_actor_by_handle before calling follow, or to resolve a mentioned actor's inbox URL for broadcast_create_note.


Import a remote actor's post history

// Fetches pages from the remote actor's outbox and calls on_create for each object.
service.import_remote_outbox(outbox_url_str, actor_url_str).await?;

Use this to surface a remote account's past posts after a local user follows them.

This is distinct from run_backfill_for_follower, which sends your local content to a new follower. import_remote_outbox fetches content from a remote server into your instance.

Method Direction Use case
import_remote_outbox Remote → local Show a remote user's history after follow
run_backfill_for_follower Local → remote Send your history to a new follower