This is an approximation of groups you can use right now with existing fedi software that implements the Mastodon client API.
A group is a regular user account controlled by a "bot" service that runs on a Linux server (e.g. a Rpi in your closet). To join a group, simply follow the group user. To post into the group, tag the group user in a top-level post (not a reply), or use `/b` in a reply to share the parent post to the group. The group will reblog shared posts to its members.
Groups implement moderation (banning users and instances, member-only mode with user whitelist). This is controlled by slash commands, see below.
Group admins can issue group announcements that are posted poublicly by the group user, such as when there is a planned maintenance. The group will attempt to catch up with posts missed during the outage.
Unlike some other attempts at group implementation (namely gup.pe or the mythical WIP Pleroma Groups), this works with current Pleroma and Mastodon. There's no need for interoperability in different server implementations, since it uses existing follow/mention/reblog features that are already cross-compatible. Mastodon users can join a group running on Pleroma and vice-versa.
Groups probably can't be hosted on Honk and Misskey, but their users can use groups hosted elsewhere just fine.
Install the rust toolchain using `rustup`: [https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install](https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install)
Rust 1.54+ is recommended.
Build with `cargo build`, or optimized: `cargo build --release`. The binary is placed in the `target/debug` or `target/release` directory.
You can also run the program using Cargo, that is handy for development: `cargo run`. When passing command line flags, use `--`: `cargo run -- -i my@group.xyz`.
### Setting up a group account
1. Create the group's account all nice like you want it. Pleroma and Mastodon should work, others may work too but you're on your own.
2. Run the group service with `fedigroups -a mygroup@groups.social` (your account's handle) to authenticate.
3.**Make sure you auth as the correct user!**
4. Paste the Oauth2 token you got into the terminal, hit enter.
The program now ends. The credentials are saved in a file `groups.json`.
An example systemd service file is included in the repository as well. Make sure to set up the system user/group and file permissions according to your needs. You can use targets in the included `Makefile` to manage the systemd service and look at logs.
Posts with commands, mentioning the group, won’t be boosted.
### Membership
When a user follows a group, the group follows them back and marks them internally as a member. (In member-only groups, a group admin must initiate the second part).
Admin can add or remove group members using the `/add` and `/remove` commands. Users can use `/join` and `/leave`.
Members can use `/join` to make the group re-follow them, for example when the follow somehow stopped working.
When a *group member* posts one of the group hashtags, the group will reblog it. This is a nicer way to share posts, you don't have to mention the group user at all.
For group hashtags to work, the group user must follow all its members; otherwise the posts might not federate to the group's server.
The group service respects the `#nobot` tag in users' profiles. When it's detected, the user's posts can't be shared to the group using the `/boost` command, unless they explicitly join.
To prevent individual groups from boosting your posts, use the `/optout` command.
-`/undo` - undo a boost of your post into the group, e.g. when you triggered it unintentionally. Use in a reply to the boosted post, tagging the group user. You can also un-boost your status when someone else shared it into the group using `/boost`, this works even if you're not a member.
