Wafrn is an open-source, federated social media platform designed to be a Tumblr alternative that emphasizes user respect and customization,,.

Here are the main features and functionalities of Wafrn:

1. Interoperability and Federation

• Dual Protocol Support: Wafrn connects simultaneously with both the Fediverse (using the ActivityPub protocol) and Bluesky (using the ATProtocol),.

• Native Bluesky Integration: Unlike much of the Fediverse, Wafrn offers native Bluesky Integration,. This means that Bluesky users do not need to opt-in to a bridge to interact with Wafrn users.

• Seamless Interaction: The native integration allows for the smooth flow of replies, likes, and boosts between Wafrn and Bluesky users,. Posts can be made visible on both Bluesky and Mastodon.

• User and Data Portability: Users can keep all their data (posts, followers, likes, lists) when moving between ATProtocol-based sites (like Blacksky or Northsky),. If a user migrates from Bluesky to Wafrn, their posts, friends, and followers are preserved. This portability is cited as a way to escape "enshittification".

2. User Experience and Customization

• Theming and Custom CSS: Wafrn is highly focused on customization, allowing users to apply custom CSS to their profile, which then sets the default theme across their entire site view,. The default interface often resembles the Tumblr dashboard,.

• Feeds: The platform offers three main feeds: the Dashboard (focused on followed accounts), Explore Wafrn (local Wafrn accounts), and Wafrn & Friends (combining local content with posts from other federated servers like Mastodon, Friendica, and Bluesky),.

• Custom Feeds (Future): There is expressed interest in supporting Bluesky’s Custom Feeds for better discovery,.

3. Posting, Content, and Format

• Rich Formatting: Posts support a mix of Markdown (including CommonMark) and various HTML tags for formatting.

• Inline Media: Users can embed media directly within the text of their posts using a specific markup (![media-{number}]).

• Accessibility and Media: The platform takes accessibility seriously, requiring descriptions for images or videos (alt text). Posts are limited to displaying four pieces of media for Mastodon and Bluesky users.

• "Tumblr-isms": Includes unique, playful features that capture a chaotic energy,:

  • Asks: A Question-and-Answer feature where any Fediverse account can submit questions, which appear in a special tab for the user to answer.

  • Bites: A "silly feature" resembling a poke that generates cute notifications,.

  • AI Filter: Allows users to transform the word “AI” to “cocaine” or another word using a custom filter,.

4. Privacy, Security, and Ethos

• Anti-AI Policy: Wafrn does not sell data for AI training, nor does it accept contributions involving AI generated artwork, code or text,,.

• Post Privacy Options: Supports several levels of visibility: Public, Unlisted, This Instance Only, Followers-Only, and Direct Message (which is explicitly stated as not End-To-End-Encrypted).

• Public Content Risk: The platform warns that public posts on Wafrn, especially those sent to Bluesky, cannot be prevented from being scraped by AI companies or others,.

• Open Source Commitment: The code is public under the AGPLv3 (backend) and Apache License 2.0 (frontend),.

5. Technical and Miscellaneous

• Multi-Platform Access: Mobile apps are available for Android (via F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid) and Apple (App Store, Testflight).

• Easter Egg: A "Super Secret Menu" contains an embedded WASM build of DosBox running a copy of Doom,.