Thinking about this further… I would like your advice and wisdom on how I should self-host my many bots.

All one one sub-domain?
@bot1@bots.edent.tel
@bot2@bots.edent.tel

Separate sub-domain for each?
@bot@bot1.edent.tel
@bot@bot2.edent.tel

Buy a new domain for each?
(LOL nope!)

Something else?
(What?)

Thinking about creating a Mastodon instance only for automated accounts.

Wouldn't have to deal with replies, following accounts, or anything complicated.

I even had a comedy name picked out for it - but someone beat me to it.

masto.bot/

masto.bot

A home for bots and automated accounts on Mastodon

^{Mastodon hosted on masto.bot}

OK! Want to self-host your own bots now #BotsInSpace is going away?

I've made the *simplest* possible server just for you!

gitlab.com/edent/activity-bot/

Upload two files to your server (index.php and .htaccess), fill in a couple of details, and… that's it!

This is designed for write-only bots. It isn't interactive, it won't store or reply to messages sent to it, but it will post hashtags, links, mentions, and images.

You can see the sample bot @bot

Feedback very welcome!

Terence Eden / ActivityBot · GitLab

A single PHP file which acts as a basic ActivityPub bot server.

^GitLab

🆕 Update!

You can now move followers from your old bot accounts to your new self-hosted ones.

So now @solar@botsin.space points at @solar@solar.bots.edent.tel - and all the followers have moved!

Source code at gitlab.com/edent/activity-bot/

Terence Eden / ActivityBot · GitLab

A single PHP file which acts as a basic ActivityPub bot server.

^GitLab

OK! My self-hosted ActivityPub Bot works with a few hundred followers.

I'm going to try and move @colours which has over 1,000 followers (WHY?!?!) and see if it copes with that.

All the code's at gitlab.com/edent/activity-bot/

Terence Eden / ActivityBot · GitLab

A single PHP file which acts as a basic ActivityPub bot server.

^GitLab

Hmmm. About 1,000 followers have moved over to the new account - @colours

I can see my messages being sent. But they don't seem to be received. Not entirely sure what's going on and am half a bottle of Malbec into the evening, so probably shouldn't be futzing around with code.

One for the morning, I fear!