End-User Manual

End-User Manual

social-app

Generated by DocAgent — automated codebase documentation analysis. Based on analysis of 130 screens. Subject matter expert review is recommended before distribution.

April 20, 2026

Generated by DocAgent — automated codebase documentation analysis. Subject matter expert review is recommended before distribution.

About This Document

This End-User Manual covers 130 screen(s) of the Bluesky Social application.

The screens assessed in this documentation include:

Value Proposition Pager, Reply Notification Settings, Find Contacts Intro (web stub), Messages Settings, Find Contacts (web stub), Profile Follows, Profile Header Standard, Choose Account Form, Avatar Circle, Status Bar Shadow (web), Handle, Miscellaneous Notification Settings, Mention Notification Settings, Quote Notification Settings, App Passwords, About Settings, Interests Settings, Policies, App Icon Types, Use App Icon Sets, Content and Media Settings, Automation Label Settings, Appearance Settings, Following Feed Preferences, External Media Preferences, Find Contacts Settings, Profile Header Labeler, Shared Preferences Tester, Profile Header Shell, Status Bar Shadow, Like Notification Settings, Likes on Reposts Notification Settings, App Icon Settings (web stub), App Icon Image, Settings List Item, Activity Privacy Settings, Account Settings, Settings List Item (web), Signup Queued, Legacy Notification Settings, Search Utils, Onboarding State, Profile Header Metrics, Use Suggested Onboarding Users, Accessibility Settings, Deactivated, Language Settings, Gesture Action, Activity Notification Settings, Settings, Splash, Inbox, Expo Scroll Forwarder, GIF View, List Hidden, Find Contacts Flow, No Saved Feeds of Any Type, Set New Password Form, Password Updated Form, No Following Feed, Log, Activity List, Form Container, Chat List, Emoji Picker, Forgot Password Form, Onboarding Layout, Verification Settings, Login Form, No Feeds Pinned, Conversation, Hashtag, Growable Banner, Edit Profile Dialog, Avatar Creator Items, Post Thread Constants, Onboarding Step Profile Types, Interest Button, Avatar Creator Circle, Onboarding Util, Placeholder Canvas, Post Reposted By, Post Liked By, Error State, Display Name, Post Quotes, Starter Pack Card, Growable Avatar, Feed Section, About Section, Profile Sections Types, Profile Labeler Liked By, Profile Followers, Profile Search, Known Followers, Explore Suggested Accounts, Labels, Suggested Follows, Profile Sections Feed, Explore Interests Card, Explore Recommendations, Search Results, Saved Feeds, Explore Trending Videos, Explore Trending Topics, Explore, Search Shell, Back Next Buttons, New Follower Notification Settings, Handle Suggestions, Repost Notification Settings, Thread Preferences, Reposts on Reposts Notification Settings, Signup State, Captcha Web View (web), Captcha Web, Privacy and Security Settings, Draggable Scroll, Starter Pack Wizard State, Error Screen, Step Profiles, Video Feed (web stub), Step Details, Starter Pack Landing, Starter Pack, Step Feeds, Takendown, Video Feed Types, Feed, Topic.

Screens and features not included in the assessed documentation are outside the scope of this document.

Note: This document reflects a partial view of the application. Many screens were assessed as utility modules, sub-components, or platform stubs rather than full navigable screens. Additional screens should be assessed for comprehensive coverage.

Introduction

What Is Bluesky?

Bluesky is a social networking application built on the AT Protocol — an open, decentralized standard for social media. It allows you to post short messages, follow other users, browse curated feeds, send direct messages, and discover new communities through starter packs and trending topics. Unlike traditional social networks, Bluesky is designed so that your account and data are not locked to a single company's server.

Who Uses This Application?

Bluesky is designed for anyone who wants to participate in a social network that emphasizes user control, transparency, and freedom from algorithmic manipulation. New users go through a guided onboarding process; returning users can log in and pick up where they left off.

Getting Started

How to Log In

1. Open the Bluesky app. You will see the Splash Screen with two buttons.

2. Tap Sign in to enter your credentials.

3. On the Login Form, enter your username or email address and your password.

4. If your account uses two-factor authentication (2FA), you will be prompted to enter a code sent to your email.

5. Tap Sign in to complete login.

If you have previously signed in on this device, you may instead see the Choose Account screen, which lets you tap your account to resume your session without re-entering your password.

How to Log Out

1. Navigate to Settings (accessible from the main navigation).

2. Scroll to the bottom of the Settings screen.

3. Tap Sign out and confirm when prompted.

Session Timeout

If your session expires (for example, after a long period of inactivity), you will be returned to the login screen. Your account will still appear in the account list, but you will need to enter your password again to resume.

Basic Navigation

The app is organized around a tab bar at the bottom of the screen (on mobile) or a sidebar (on larger screens). The main areas are:

• Home — Your personalized feed of posts from people you follow and feeds you have saved.

• Search / Explore — Discover new accounts, trending topics, and feeds.

• Notifications — See who has liked, reposted, replied to, or mentioned you.

• Messages — Your direct message conversations.

• Profile — Your own profile page.

Tapping the back button (top-left arrow) on any screen returns you to the previous screen.

Common Features Guide

Working with Settings Lists

Many settings screens in Bluesky use a consistent list layout. Each row in a settings list contains:

• An icon on the left identifying the category.

• A label (and sometimes a subtitle) describing the setting.

• A control on the right — either a toggle switch, a badge showing the current value, or a chevron (›) indicating the row navigates to a sub-screen.

Tapping a row with a chevron opens the corresponding sub-screen. Tapping a row with a toggle immediately changes that setting.

Using Toggle Controls

Toggle switches appear throughout the app's settings screens. They work the same way everywhere:

• A toggle that is filled/colored (typically blue) means the setting is on.

• A toggle that is gray/unfilled means the setting is off.

• Tap the toggle to switch it. Changes take effect immediately — there is no Save button.

Some screens also use radio buttons for settings where only one option can be active at a time (for example, choosing a sort order). Tap the option you want to select it.

Navigation Headers

Most screens have a header bar at the top containing:

• A back button (left arrow) on the left — tap it to return to the previous screen.

• A title in the center identifying the current screen.

• An optional action button on the right (such as Save, Share, or a menu icon).

Notification Preference Controls

Several screens under Notification Settings share the same layout. Each screen lets you configure one type of notification (for example, Likes or Replies) with the following controls:

• Push notifications toggle — controls whether you receive a notification on your device's lock screen or notification tray.

• In-app notifications toggle — controls whether the notification appears in your in-app notification feed (the bell icon).

• From filter (when available) — a radio group letting you choose between receiving notifications from Everyone or only from People I follow. This filter is grayed out and cannot be changed if both notification channels are turned off.

Changes on these screens are saved immediately when you tap a toggle or radio button.

Profile Headers

When you view any user's profile, the top of the screen shows a profile header containing:

• A banner image (the wide photo at the top) — tap it to view it full-screen.

• An avatar (the circular or square profile photo) — tap it to view it full-screen.

• The user's display name and handle (their @username).

• Their follower count, following count, and post count — tap any of these to see the full list.

• A bio (description) if they have written one.

• Action buttons such as Follow, Unfollow, Message, or Edit Profile (for your own profile).

Search and Filter Controls

The Search screen and several other screens include a search input bar at the top. Type your query to filter results. A clear button (×) appears when text is entered — tap it to clear the search and return to the default view.

Dialogs and Confirmation Prompts

When you perform a potentially irreversible action (such as deleting an account or leaving a conversation), the app shows a confirmation dialog asking you to confirm or cancel. Always read these dialogs carefully before tapping the confirm button.

Error and Empty States

When a screen cannot load its content (for example, due to a network problem), it displays an error message with a Try again or Retry button. Tap it to attempt to reload the content.

When a screen has no content to show (for example, a feed with no posts yet), it displays an empty-state message explaining the situation.

Chapter 1: Splash Screen

Overview

The Splash Screen is the first thing you see when you open Bluesky and are not yet signed in. It presents the Bluesky brand and gives you two choices: create a new account or sign in to an existing one.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically when you open the app without an active session.

What You'll See

The screen fills your entire display with a branded illustration background. In the upper portion, the Bluesky butterfly logo and wordmark are centered. The lower portion contains two large buttons stacked vertically:

• Create account — a solid button.

• Sign in — a button with white text.

[Screenshot: Splash screen showing Bluesky logo and two buttons]

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If you already have an account on a different device, tap Sign in — you do not need to create a new account.

• If you have previously signed in on this device, you may be taken directly to the account chooser instead of this screen.

Common Questions

Q: I tapped "Create account" but nothing happened. A: The app may be loading. Wait a moment and try again. If the problem persists, check your internet connection.

Q: Can I browse Bluesky without an account? A: Some content may be viewable without signing in, but full functionality requires an account.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 2: Login Form

Overview

The Login Form is where you enter your credentials to sign in to your existing Bluesky account. It also handles two-factor authentication (2FA) if your account requires it.

Getting There

Tap Sign in on the Splash Screen, or select your account on the Choose Account screen if your session has expired.

What You'll See

The form is divided into labeled sections:

Hosting provider — Shows the server your account is hosted on (for example, bsky.social). Most users will not need to change this. A selector allows you to switch to a different hosting provider if your account is on a different server.

Account section — Contains two fields:

• Username or email — An input field with an @ icon. Enter your Bluesky handle (e.g., alice.bsky.social) or the email address you used to register.

• Password — A secure text field with a lock icon. A Forgot? button appears to the right of this field.

2FA Confirmation section — This section appears only if your account has two-factor authentication enabled. It contains a field labeled "2FA Confirmation" where you enter the code sent to your email, along with a note instructing you to check your email for the code.

Error message area — If your login fails, a red error message appears below the fields.

Action buttons — At the bottom:

• On web: a Back button on the left and a Sign in button on the right.

• On mobile: only the Sign in button.

• If the server is still connecting, a disabled Connecting... button with a spinner is shown instead.

• If the server failed to connect, a Retry button is shown.

[Screenshot: Login form with username, password fields, and Sign in button]

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• If you enter just your username without a domain (e.g., alice instead of alice.bsky.social), the app will automatically add the correct domain for your hosting provider.

• If you have 2FA enabled, check your email before tapping Sign in — the code expires quickly.

• If you are on a custom hosting provider, make sure the correct server is selected before entering your credentials.

Common Questions

Q: I entered the correct password but it says "Incorrect username or password." A: Double-check that you are using the right handle or email, and that Caps Lock is not on. If you have forgotten your password, tap Forgot?.

Q: The 2FA field appeared — what do I do? A: Check the email address associated with your account. You should have received a code. Enter it in the 2FA Confirmation field and tap Sign in again.

Q: The Sign in button shows "Connecting..." and never changes. A: Your device may not be able to reach the Bluesky server. Check your internet connection. If the problem persists, the server may be temporarily unavailable.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 3: Choose Account Form

Overview

If you have previously signed in on this device, the Choose Account screen appears instead of the Login Form. It shows a list of accounts stored on your device so you can quickly resume a session or switch between accounts.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically when you open the app and have one or more previously signed-in accounts stored on your device.

What You'll See

On web: A label reading "Sign in as..." appears above the account list.

Account list — Each row shows an account you have previously signed in with. Tapping a row either resumes your session immediately (if your session is still valid) or takes you to the password entry screen (if you need to re-authenticate).

"Add another account" option — At the bottom of the list, an option to add a new account is always available.

Back button (web only) — A Back button appears at the bottom of the screen on web.

[Screenshot: Choose account screen showing a list of accounts]

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If you see a loading indicator next to your account, the app is resuming your session — wait a moment.

• If you select an account and are taken to the password screen, your previous session has expired and you need to sign in again.

Common Questions

Q: I tapped my account but nothing happened. A: Another sign-in may already be in progress. Wait for it to complete before tapping again.

Q: My account is listed but I can't sign in without a password. A: Your session has expired. Tapping your account will take you to the password entry screen.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 4: Forgot Password Form

Overview

The Forgot Password Form is the first step in resetting your password. You enter your email address and the app sends you a reset code.

Getting There

Tap Forgot? on the Login Form.

What You'll See

Hosting provider — Shows the server your account is on. You can change this if needed.

Email address field — An input field with an @ icon where you enter the email address associated with your account.

Instructional text — A paragraph explaining that you will receive a "reset code" to set a new password.

Error message area — Appears if there is a problem with your email address or the server.

Action buttons:

• On web: Back on the left and Next on the right.

• On mobile: only Next.

• If the server is still connecting, a disabled Connecting... button is shown.

"Already have a code?" button — If you already received a reset code previously, tap this to skip the email step and go directly to the code entry screen.

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Make sure you enter the email address you used when creating your account, not a different one.

• If you do not receive the reset email within a few minutes, check your spam folder.

Common Questions

Q: I entered my email but got "Your email appears to be invalid." A: Check that you typed the email address correctly, including the @ symbol and domain.

Q: I never received the reset email. A: Check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, try requesting the code again.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 5: Set New Password Form

Overview

After receiving your reset code by email, this screen lets you enter the code and choose a new password for your account.

Getting There

After requesting a reset code on the Forgot Password Form, you are taken to this screen automatically. You can also reach it by tapping Already have a code? on the Forgot Password Form.

What You'll See

Instructional text — A brief note telling you to check your email for a reset code and enter it along with a new password.

Reset code field — An input field with a ticket icon. Enter the code from your email. The field auto-focuses when the screen opens.

New password field — A secure text field with a lock icon. Enter the new password you want to use.

Error message area — Appears if the code is invalid or the password is empty.

Action buttons:

• On web: Back on the left and Next on the right.

• On mobile: only Next, which also shows a loading spinner while the request is processing.

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• The reset code is formatted automatically when you leave the field — you do not need to add the hyphen yourself.

• Choose a strong password of at least 8 characters that you have not used elsewhere.

Common Questions

Q: I entered the code but got "You have entered an invalid code." A: Make sure you copied the code exactly as it appears in the email, including the hyphen. Codes expire, so request a new one if needed.

Q: The Next button is disabled. A: Both the reset code and new password fields must be filled in before you can proceed.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 6: Password Updated Form

Overview

This screen confirms that your password has been successfully changed. It is the final step in the password reset flow.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically after you successfully submit a new password on the Set New Password Form.

What You'll See

A centered confirmation card containing:

• A bold heading: "Password updated!"

• A message: "You can now sign in with your new password."

• An Okay button.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• After tapping Okay, you will be taken to the sign-in screen. Use your new password to log in.

Common Questions

Q: I see this screen but I am not sure my password was actually changed. A: If this screen appeared, your password was successfully updated. Sign in with your new password to confirm.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 7: Signup Flow

Overview

The signup flow guides you through creating a new Bluesky account. It consists of three steps: entering your basic information, choosing a username (handle), and completing a verification step. A progress indicator at the top shows which step you are on.

Getting There

Tap Create account on the Splash Screen.

What You'll See

The flow uses a consistent layout with a Back button and a Next button at the bottom of each step. A progress indicator shows your current position in the flow.

Step 1: Your Information

This step collects your account details:

• Hosting provider — The server where your account will be created. Most users will use the default (bsky.social).

• Email address — Your email, used for account recovery and notifications.

• Password — Your chosen password (at least 8 characters).

• Date of birth — Used to verify your age. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account.

• Invite code (if required) — Some servers require an invite code to register.

• Terms of Service and Privacy Policy links — Links to the legal documents for the server you are signing up with. If the server has not provided these, a notice will say so.

Step 2: Choose Your Handle

Your handle is your unique username on Bluesky (for example, alice.bsky.social). This step shows:

• A text field where you type your desired username.

• A live preview of your full handle (e.g., @alice.bsky.social).

• A character counter.

• A list of suggested handles if your first choice is unavailable — tap any suggestion to select it.

Step 3: Verification

Some servers require phone verification to prevent automated signups. This step shows a verification widget. Complete the challenge to proceed.

[Screenshot: Signup step 1 showing email, password, and date of birth fields]

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Choose a handle you will be happy with long-term — it can be changed later, but your followers will need to find you again.

• Use a real email address you have access to; you will need it for password recovery.

• If your preferred handle is taken, the app will suggest alternatives.

Common Questions

Q: My desired handle shows as unavailable. A: Try a variation, or tap one of the suggested alternatives shown below the input field.

Q: I do not have an invite code. A: Not all servers require invite codes. If you are signing up on bsky.social, you may not need one. If you do, you will need to obtain one from an existing user.

Q: The Next button is grayed out. A: Make sure all required fields are filled in correctly. Check for any error messages below the fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 8: Signup Queued

Overview

If Bluesky is experiencing high demand, your new account may be placed in a queue after registration. This screen informs you of your position in the queue and provides an estimated wait time. The app checks your status automatically every minute.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically after completing the signup flow if your account has been placed in a queue.

What You'll See

The screen shows:

• The Bluesky logo at the top.

• A heading: "You're in line"

• A brief explanation that many people are joining at once.

• A status card showing:

  • Your position in the queue (a large number, if known).

  • An estimated wait time (e.g., "3 minutes" or "2 hours"). If the wait is more than 6 hours, no estimate is shown and the message reads: "We will let you know when your account is ready."

• A Check my status button to manually check whether your account has been activated.

• A Sign out button if you want to leave and come back later.

[Screenshot: Signup queued screen showing queue position and estimated wait]

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• The app checks your status automatically every 60 seconds — you do not need to keep tapping Check my status.

• If you sign out, your account will still be in the queue. Sign back in later to check your status.

Common Questions

Q: My queue position is not shown. A: The server may not have provided a position estimate yet. The app will continue checking automatically.

Q: The estimated wait time disappeared. A: If the wait is estimated to be more than 6 hours, the app hides the estimate to avoid showing an unhelpfully large number.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 9: Deactivated Account Screen

Overview

If you have previously deactivated your Bluesky account, this screen appears when you sign in. It gives you the option to reactivate your account and return to the app, or to sign out.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically when you sign in with a deactivated account.

What You'll See

The screen shows:

• The Bluesky logo.

• A heading: "Welcome back!"

• Text explaining that your account is deactivated and what reactivation means.

• A Yes, reactivate my account button (shows a loading spinner while processing).

• A Cancel button that signs you out.

• An error message area (if reactivation fails).

• If you have other accounts on this device, a list of those accounts is shown below, along with an option to add a new account.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Reactivating your account restores your profile, posts, and follows — nothing is permanently deleted during deactivation.

• If you signed in using an App Password (a secondary password for third-party apps), you cannot reactivate from this screen. Sign in with your main password instead.

Common Questions

Q: I tapped "Yes, reactivate my account" but got an error. A: If the error mentions using your main password, you may have signed in with an App Password. Sign out and sign in again with your primary password.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 10: Takendown Account Screen

Overview

If your Bluesky account has been suspended by the moderation team, this screen appears when you sign in. It explains the situation and gives you the option to appeal the decision or sign out.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically when you sign in with a suspended account.

What You'll See

The screen shows:

• The Bluesky logo.

• A heading explaining your account has been suspended.

• A paragraph explaining the reason (with a link to the Terms of Service) and how to appeal.

• An Appeal Suspension button.

• A Sign Out button.

When you tap Appeal Suspension, the screen changes to show:

• A heading: "Appeal suspension"

• A text area labeled with a prompt to explain your appeal.

• A character counter showing how many characters you have used.

• A Submit Appeal button (disabled while processing or if your text is too long).

• A Cancel button to return to the main view.

• An error message if the submission fails.

After a successful appeal submission, a confirmation message is shown and only the Sign Out button remains.

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Write a clear, factual explanation of why you believe the suspension was made in error.

• Keep your appeal concise — the character limit is enforced.

Common Questions

Q: I submitted my appeal. What happens next? A: The moderation team will review your appeal. You will be notified by email if your account is reinstated.

Q: The Submit Appeal button is disabled. A: Your appeal text may exceed the character limit. Shorten your message until the counter shows you are within the limit.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 11: Onboarding Flow

Overview

After creating a new account, the onboarding flow guides you through setting up your profile and personalizing your Bluesky experience. It walks you through several steps: setting up your profile picture, selecting your interests, following suggested accounts, exploring starter packs, and optionally finding contacts.

Getting There

The onboarding flow starts automatically after you complete account creation.

What You'll See

The onboarding uses a consistent layout with a progress indicator at the top showing which step you are on (e.g., "Step 2 of 5"), a Back button (when available), and a Next or Continue button at the bottom.

Profile Setup Step

This step lets you set your profile picture:

• A circular avatar preview (200px) showing your current selection. Initially, it shows a placeholder icon on a colored background.

• An edit button (pencil icon, bottom-right of the avatar) — tap it to open the photo library or the avatar creator.

• The avatar creator lets you choose from a set of themed icons and background colors to generate a custom avatar without using a photo.

Interests Step

A grid of pill-shaped buttons representing content categories (e.g., Sports, Technology, Art). Tap any interest to select it (it turns dark/filled). Tap again to deselect. A tip message appears if you have selected fewer than two interests.

Suggested Accounts Step

A list of Bluesky accounts suggested based on your interests. Each card shows the account's avatar, name, handle, and a Follow button. Tap Follow to follow an account.

Suggested Starter Packs Step

Cards showing curated starter packs — bundles of accounts and feeds. Each card shows sample avatars, the pack name, description, and a Follow all button. Tap Follow all to follow everyone in the pack at once.

Value Proposition Slides

Near the end of onboarding, a carousel of three slides highlights Bluesky's key features:

• "Free your feed" — Choose your own algorithms.

• "Find your people" — Quality communities.

• "Forget the noise" — No ads or tracking.

Pagination dots at the bottom show which slide you are on.

[Screenshot: Onboarding interests step showing interest selection grid]

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Selecting at least two interests helps the app personalize your feed recommendations.

• You can change your profile picture, interests, and follows at any time after onboarding — nothing here is permanent.

• If you skip the "Find contacts" step, you can access it later from Settings.

Common Questions

Q: Can I skip onboarding? A: You can tap through the steps quickly, but completing them helps personalize your experience.

Q: The "Find contacts" step is not available. A: This step is only available on the mobile app (iOS and Android), not on the web version.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 12: Home Feed

Overview

The Home Feed is the main content screen of Bluesky. It displays a scrollable list of posts from accounts you follow and feeds you have saved. Multiple feeds are accessible as swipeable tabs at the top of the screen.

Getting There

The Home Feed is the default screen when you open the app after signing in. Tap the Home icon in the tab bar to return to it at any time.

What You'll See

Tab bar — A row of tabs at the top showing your pinned feeds (e.g., "Following", "Discover"). Swipe left or right to switch between feeds, or tap a tab label.

Post list — A scrollable list of posts. Each post card shows:

• The author's avatar and display name.

• The author's handle (@username) and how long ago the post was made.

• The post text, with any links, mentions, or hashtags highlighted.

• Any attached media (images, videos, links).

• Action buttons: Reply, Repost, Like, and Share.

• Engagement counts (replies, reposts, likes).

Interstitials — Occasionally, the feed includes non-post items such as:

• Suggested accounts to follow.

• Trending topics.

• Trending videos.

• An onboarding progress guide (for new users).

Load new posts button — When new posts are available or you have scrolled down, a floating button appears at the bottom-left. Tap it to scroll back to the top and load the latest posts.

Compose button (FAB) — A floating action button (usually bottom-right) to write a new post.

[Screenshot: Home feed showing post cards and tab bar]

Available Actions

Viewing Content

• Scroll down to browse posts.

• Tap a post to open its full thread.

• Tap an author's name or avatar to view their profile.

• Tap a hashtag or topic link to see related posts.

Interacting with Posts

• Tap the Reply icon to reply to a post.

• Tap the Repost icon to repost or quote a post.

• Tap the Like (heart) icon to like a post.

• Tap the Share icon to share a post externally.

Feed Management

• Swipe between tabs to switch feeds.

• Pull down on the list to refresh.

• Tap the Load new posts button to jump to the top and see new content.

Composing

• Tap the Compose button (FAB) to write a new post.

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields (post composition happens in a separate composer).

Tips & Best Practices

• If your Following feed runs out of posts, the app may automatically show you content from the Discover feed — a banner will notify you when this happens.

• Tap the active tab label while already on that tab to scroll back to the top and refresh.

• Use the Saved Feeds settings to add, remove, or reorder your feed tabs.

Common Questions

Q: My feed is empty. A: You may not be following anyone yet. Use the Search/Explore screen to find accounts to follow.

Q: I see a "Discover" section at the bottom of my Following feed. A: This means you have seen all recent posts from people you follow. The app is showing you Discover content to fill the space.

Q: A post disappeared from my feed. A: The author may have deleted it, or your moderation settings may have filtered it.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 13: Search and Explore

Overview

The Search and Explore screen is your discovery hub. When you have not typed a search query, it shows the Explore view with trending topics, suggested accounts, suggested feeds, and starter packs. When you type a query, it shows Search Results across four tabs: Top posts, Latest posts, People, and Feeds.

Getting There

Tap the Search icon in the tab bar.

What You'll See

Explore View (no query entered)

The Explore view is a scrollable list of discovery modules:

• Trending Topics — A list of currently popular discussion topics. Each row shows the topic's rank, name, category, a small stack of participant avatars, and a badge indicating whether it is "Hot", "New", or how many hours ago it started. Tap any row to see posts about that topic.

• Suggested Accounts — A horizontally scrollable tab bar of interest categories (e.g., Sports, Technology). Select a category to filter the suggested accounts below. Each account card shows an avatar, name, handle, bio, and a Follow button.

• Discover new feeds — Cards for feed generators you might want to subscribe to. Tap a card to preview the feed.

• Starter Packs — Cards for curated starter packs. Tap Follow all to follow everyone in a pack.

• Trending Videos — A horizontally scrollable carousel of popular video posts. Swipe left to browse; tap a card to view the video.

• Interests card (for new users) — A card prompting you to set your content interests. Tap Edit interests to go to the Interests Settings screen. Tap the × button to dismiss it.

Search Results View (query entered)

When you type in the search bar, results appear in four tabs:

• Top — Most relevant posts matching your query.

• Latest — Most recent posts matching your query.

• People — User accounts matching your query (only shown when no search filters like language are applied).

• Feeds — Feed generators matching your query (only shown when no search filters are applied).

Each tab shows a scrollable list of results. Pull down to refresh; scroll to the bottom to load more.

Search history — When the search bar is focused but empty, your recent searches and recently viewed profiles appear. Tap any item to search for it again. Tap the × next to an item to remove it from your history.

Autocomplete — As you type, a list of matching user profiles appears below the search bar. Tap a profile to navigate to it directly.

Language filter — A dropdown (when available) lets you filter search results by language.

[Screenshot: Explore screen showing trending topics and suggested accounts]

Available Actions

Exploring

• Tap a trending topic row to see posts about it.

• Tap an interest tab to filter suggested accounts.

• Tap Follow on an account card to follow that account.

• Tap a feed card to preview it.

• Swipe the trending videos carousel to browse videos.

Searching

• Tap the search bar and type your query.

• Tap a tab (Top, Latest, People, Feeds) to switch result types.

• Tap a result to open it.

• Pull down to refresh results.

• Tap Cancel to clear the search and return to Explore.

Search History

• Tap a recent search term to search for it again.

• Tap a recent profile avatar to navigate to that profile.

• Tap × next to a history item to remove it.

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Use search operators to narrow results: from:alice.bsky.social shows only posts from that user; lang:en filters to English posts.

• The People and Feeds tabs disappear when you use search operators — these tabs only work with plain keyword searches.

• Tap the magnifying glass icon in a module header (e.g., next to "Suggested Accounts") to search specifically for people or feeds.

Common Questions

Q: The People and Feeds tabs are not showing. A: These tabs are hidden when you use search filters (like lang:en). Remove the filter to see all tabs.

Q: My search returned no results. A: Try different keywords, check your spelling, or remove any filters.

Q: The Explore screen is not showing trending topics. A: Trending topics may be disabled in your settings, or the feature may not be available in your region.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 14: Hashtag and Topic Screens

Overview

The Hashtag screen and the Topic screen both display posts related to a specific tag or subject. They are nearly identical in layout, offering two sorted views: Top (most relevant) and Latest (most recent).

Getting There

• Hashtag screen: Tap a #hashtag or $cashtag link in any post.

• Topic screen: Tap a trending topic in the Explore screen.

What You'll See

Header — Shows the tag or topic name (e.g., #bluesky or $BTC). A Share button (arrow-out-of-box icon) appears on the right.

Tab bar — Two tabs: Top and Latest.

Post list — A scrollable list of posts matching the tag or topic. Each post is displayed as a standard post card (see Chapter 12: Home Feed for post card details).

Empty state — If no posts are found, a message reads: "We couldn't find any results for that tag/topic."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Use the Latest tab to see the most recent discussion; use Top to see the most popular posts.

• The Share button copies a link to this tag/topic that you can send to others.

Common Questions

Q: The tag shows no results. A: This tag may not have any recent posts, or the search index may not have caught up yet. Try again later.

Q: Cashtags (like $BTC) look different from hashtags. A: Cashtags are displayed in uppercase and use a slightly different search query format, but they work the same way.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 15: Notifications Activity List

Overview

The Activity List screen shows the individual posts associated with a specific grouped notification. For example, if you receive a notification that several people replied to your posts, tapping it opens this screen to show you those specific posts.

Getting There

Tap a grouped notification in your Notifications feed.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Notifications" as the title, with a back button.

Post list — A scrollable list of posts referenced by the notification. Each post is displayed as a standard post card.

Empty state — If no posts are found, a message reads: "No posts here" with an edit icon.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• This screen shows a snapshot of the posts at the time the notification was generated. Some posts may have been deleted since then.

Common Questions

Q: The list is empty even though I received a notification. A: The posts referenced by the notification may have been deleted by their authors.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 16: Profile Screen

Overview

The Profile screen displays a user's complete profile information, including their posts, replies, media, and (for labeler accounts) their label definitions. You can follow or unfollow the user, send them a message, edit your own profile, and more.

Getting There

• Tap any user's avatar or display name anywhere in the app.

• Tap your own avatar in the tab bar or navigation to view your profile.

What You'll See

Profile Header

The header occupies the top portion of the screen and contains:

• Banner image — A wide photo spanning the full width. Tap to view full-screen.

• Avatar — A circular photo (or rectangular for labeler accounts) positioned at the lower-left of the banner. Tap to view full-screen. If the user is currently live-streaming, a red border and a Live badge appear on the avatar.

• Display name — Bold, large text. May include a verification badge.

• Handle — The user's @username in smaller, muted text. A "Follows you" badge appears if this user follows you.

• Follower count, Following count, Post count — Tap any of these to see the full list.

• Bio — The user's description text, with any links or mentions highlighted.

• Action buttons — Depending on your relationship with this user:

  • Follow / Unfollow — Follow or stop following this user.

  • Message — Open a direct message conversation.

  • Edit Profile — (Your own profile only) Opens the Edit Profile dialog.

  • Subscribe / Unsubscribe — (Labeler profiles) Subscribe to this moderation service.

• Known followers — A small strip showing mutual connections who also follow this user.

• Suggested follows — After you follow someone, a panel may appear suggesting similar accounts to follow.

Profile Tabs

Below the header, tabs let you browse different content sections:

• Posts — The user's original posts.

• Replies — Posts and replies.

• Media — Posts containing images or videos.

• Feeds (if the user has created feeds) — Feed generators they have published.

• Lists (if applicable) — Curated lists they have created.

• Labels (labeler profiles only) — The moderation labels this service provides.

[Screenshot: Profile screen showing header with avatar, banner, and action buttons]

Available Actions

Viewing

• Tap the banner or avatar to view them full-screen.

• Tap follower/following/post counts to see the full lists.

• Tap any post in the tabs to open its thread.

• Tap the Live badge on the avatar to view the live stream.

Social Actions

• Tap Follow to follow the user.

• Tap Unfollow to stop following.

• Tap Message to start a direct message conversation.

• Tap Subscribe (labeler profiles) to subscribe to their moderation labels.

Your Own Profile

• Tap Edit Profile to change your display name, bio, avatar, or banner.

Field Reference (Edit Profile Dialog)

Tips & Best Practices

• If you are verified and change your display name, you will lose your verification status — a warning will appear before you save.

• Changes to your profile are saved when you tap Save in the Edit Profile dialog. If you close the dialog without saving, your changes are discarded (you will be asked to confirm).

Common Questions

Q: I tapped Follow but nothing happened. A: You may need to be signed in. If you are signed in, check your internet connection.

Q: The profile shows "Invalid Handle" instead of a username. A: This account's handle could not be verified. This is a technical issue with the account's DNS configuration.

Q: I see a "Follows you" badge — what does that mean? A: This user follows your account.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 17: Profile Followers

Overview

This screen shows a list of all accounts that follow a specific user.

Getting There

Tap the followers count on any profile screen.

What You'll See

Header — Shows the user's display name as the title and their follower count as a subtitle (e.g., "1,234 followers"). A back button is on the left.

Follower list — A scrollable list of profile cards, each showing an avatar, display name, handle, and a follow/unfollow button.

Loading state — A spinner is shown while the list loads.

Empty state — If the user has no followers, the list is empty.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• The follower count in the header updates once the profile data loads — it may briefly show nothing while loading.

Common Questions

Q: The header shows no title. A: The profile data is still loading. Wait a moment.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 18: Profile Following

Overview

This screen shows a list of all accounts that a specific user follows.

Getting There

Tap the following count on any profile screen.

What You'll See

Header — Shows the user's display name as the title and their following count as a subtitle (e.g., "456 following"). A back button is on the left.

Following list — A scrollable list of profile cards, each showing an avatar, display name, handle, and a follow/unfollow button.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Browsing who someone follows is a great way to discover new accounts with similar interests.

Common Questions

Q: The count says "0 following" but I know this person follows people. A: The count may not have loaded yet. Wait a moment for the data to appear.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 19: Profile Known Followers

Overview

The Known Followers screen shows accounts that both follow the viewed profile and are followed by you — your mutual connections with that person. This helps you gauge how well-connected someone is within your network.

Getting There

On a profile screen, tap the Known followers strip (if visible) below the bio.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Followers you know" as the title.

Profile list — A scrollable list of profile cards for each mutual connection, each with a follow/unfollow button.

Loading state — A spinner while data loads.

Empty state — If you share no mutual followers with this person, a message reads: "You don't follow any users who follow @[handle]."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If you see many known followers, this person is well-connected in your network and may be worth following.

Common Questions

Q: The list is empty even though I know we have mutual connections. A: The data may still be loading, or the mutual connections may not follow this specific person.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 20: Profile Search

Overview

The Profile Search screen lets you search within a specific user's posts. Instead of searching across all of Bluesky, results are limited to posts from that one account.

Getting There

Tap the search icon on a user's profile screen (if available).

What You'll See

Search bar — A text input at the top with a placeholder like "Search @alice's posts" (or "Search my posts" for your own profile).

Results list — Posts from that user matching your query, displayed as standard post cards.

Empty state — If no posts match, a message appears with a link to search tips.

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• This search is scoped to one user's posts only — it will not return posts from other accounts.

Common Questions

Q: My search returned no results. A: This user may not have posted about that topic, or the search index may not be up to date.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 21: Profile Labeler Liked By

Overview

This screen shows a list of users who have liked (endorsed) a specific labeler's moderation service. It provides social proof about how many people use and trust a particular moderation service.

Getting There

Tap the like count on a labeler's profile screen.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Liked By" as the title.

User list — A scrollable list of profile cards for users who have liked this labeler.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• A high like count suggests the labeler is widely trusted within the community.

Common Questions

Q: What is a labeler? A: A labeler is a moderation service that applies content labels to posts and accounts. See the Glossary for more details.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 22: Post Liked By

Overview

This screen shows a list of all users who have liked a specific post.

Getting There

Tap the like count on any post.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Liked By" as the title and the like count as a subtitle (e.g., "42 likes").

User list — A scrollable list of profile cards for users who liked the post.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• The like count in the header appears once the post data has loaded.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 23: Post Reposted By

Overview

This screen shows a list of all users who have reposted a specific post.

Getting There

Tap the repost count on any post.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Reposted By" as the title and the repost count as a subtitle (e.g., "5 reposts").

User list — A scrollable list of profile cards for users who reposted the post.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 24: Post Quotes

Overview

This screen shows all posts that have quoted a specific post — that is, posts that embed and comment on the original.

Getting There

Tap the quote count on any post.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Quotes" as the title and the quote count as a subtitle (e.g., "3 quotes").

Post list — A scrollable list of quote posts, each displayed as a standard post card.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 25: Saved Feeds

Overview

The Saved Feeds screen lets you manage the feeds that appear as tabs in your Home Feed. You can pin feeds (so they appear as tabs), unpin them, reorder pinned feeds by dragging, and remove feeds you no longer want.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Content & Media → Manage saved feeds, or tap Settings → Feeds if that option is available in your navigation.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Feeds" as the title. A Save changes button appears on the right (highlighted in blue when you have unsaved changes).

"Pinned Feeds" section — A list of feeds currently pinned to your Home Feed tab bar. Each row shows the feed's icon and name. On the right side of each row:

• A pin toggle button — tap to unpin the feed (moves it to Saved Feeds).

• A drag handle — press and hold to drag the feed to a new position in the list.

If you have no pinned feeds, an informational message appears.

"Saved Feeds" section — Feeds you have saved but not pinned. Each row shows the feed's icon and name, with:

• A pin toggle button — tap to pin the feed (moves it to Pinned Feeds).

• A trash button — tap to remove the feed entirely.

"No saved feeds" state — If you have no feeds at all, a prompt appears offering to add recommended feeds.

"No Following feed" notice — If your Following feed is missing, a prompt appears offering to add it back.

Footer link — A link to the Bluesky feed generator guide for developers.

[Screenshot: Saved Feeds screen showing pinned and saved feed sections]

Available Actions

Reordering

• Press and hold the drag handle on a pinned feed row, then drag it up or down to change its position.

• If you use a screen reader, up and down arrow buttons replace the drag handle.

Pinning and Unpinning

• Tap the pin button on a saved feed to pin it (adds it to your Home Feed tabs).

• Tap the pin button on a pinned feed to unpin it (moves it to Saved Feeds).

Removing

• Tap the trash button on a saved feed to remove it entirely.

Adding Feeds

• Tap Add recommended feeds (when no feeds exist) to add a curated set of starter feeds.

• Tap Click here to add one (when the Following feed is missing) to restore it.

Saving

• Tap Save changes in the header to apply all your changes. Changes are not saved until you tap this button.

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Pinned feeds appear as tabs in your Home Feed — keep only the feeds you use most often pinned to avoid a cluttered tab bar.

• You can reorder pinned feeds to put your favorite at the far left (it will be the default tab).

• Changes are not saved automatically — remember to tap Save changes before leaving this screen.

Common Questions

Q: I reordered my feeds but the Home Feed tabs did not change. A: You need to tap Save changes to apply your reordering.

Q: I accidentally removed a feed. A: Tap Save changes without saving to discard your changes, or go to the Search/Explore screen to find and re-add the feed.

Q: The drag handle is not working. A: Make sure you are pressing and holding before dragging. If you use a screen reader, use the up/down arrow buttons instead.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 26: Messages — Chat List

Overview

The Chat List is your main direct messages inbox. It shows all your accepted conversations, along with a banner for any pending chat requests.

Getting There

Tap the Messages icon in the tab bar.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Chats" as the title. On larger screens, a New chat button and a Settings icon appear. On mobile, a Settings icon appears in the header slot.

Chat requests banner — If you have pending message requests, a banner at the top shows "Chat requests" with small avatars of the senders and a blue dot if any are unread. Tap it to go to the Inbox (Chat Requests) screen.

Conversation list — Each row shows:

• The other person's avatar.

• Their display name and handle.

• A preview of the last message (or "No messages yet" for new conversations).

• The time of the last message.

• A blue dot if there are unread messages.

• A muted bell icon if the conversation is muted.

Empty state — If you have no conversations, a message reads: "Nothing here — You have no conversations yet. Start one!"

New chat button — Tap to start a new conversation (opens a search dialog to find a user).

[Screenshot: Chat list showing conversation rows]

Available Actions

Viewing Conversations

• Tap any conversation row to open it.

• Pull down to refresh the list.

• Scroll to the bottom to load older conversations.

Managing Conversations

• Swipe right on a conversation to reveal quick actions:

  • Mark as read (envelope icon, blue) — marks the conversation as read.

  • Delete/Leave (trash icon, red) — removes the conversation.

• Long-press a conversation (on mobile) to open a context menu with options to mute, leave, report, or block.

• On web, hover over a conversation to reveal a menu button.

Starting New Conversations

• Tap New chat (header button on desktop, or the compose button) to search for a user and start a conversation.

Mark All as Read

• On larger screens, a Mark all as read button appears in the header when you have unread conversations.

• On mobile, a floating Mark all as read button appears at the bottom when you have unread conversations.

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Conversations from people you do not follow appear as "Chat requests" in the Inbox, not in the main list.

• Muted conversations are shown with a muted bell icon and dimmed text — you will not receive notifications for them.

Common Questions

Q: I received a message but it is not in my Chat List. A: It may be in your Chat Requests inbox. Tap the Chat requests banner at the top of the list.

Q: A conversation shows "Deleted Account." A: The other person's account has been deleted or deactivated. You can still leave the conversation using the swipe action or long-press menu.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 27: Messages — Inbox (Chat Requests)

Overview

The Inbox shows incoming chat requests — messages from people you do not follow. You can review each request and choose to accept, delete, block, or report it.

Getting There

Tap the Chat requests banner in the Chat List, or navigate to Messages → Chat requests.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Chat requests" as the title. On larger screens, a Mark all as read button appears.

Request list — Each row shows:

• The sender's avatar and name.

• A preview of their message.

• An Accept button (blue) to accept the conversation.

• A Reject menu button (three dots or similar) with options to delete, block, or report.

Empty state — If you have no requests, a message reads: "Inbox zero!" with a "Back to Chats" button.

Mark all as read — A floating button (mobile) or header button (desktop) to mark all requests as read.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Accepting a request moves the conversation to your main Chat List.

• Blocking a sender also removes the conversation.

Common Questions

Q: I accepted a request but the conversation is not in my Chat List. A: Pull down to refresh the Chat List.

Q: The Accept button is disabled. A: You may need to verify your email address first. A prompt will appear to guide you through verification.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 28: Messages — Conversation

Overview

The Conversation screen shows the full message history between you and another user, and lets you send new messages.

Getting There

Tap any conversation in the Chat List or Chat Requests Inbox.

What You'll See

Header — Shows the other person's name and avatar. Action buttons may appear for muting, leaving, or reporting.

Message list — A scrollable list of messages, with the most recent at the bottom. Each message shows the sender's avatar (for received messages), the message text, and the time sent.

Message input — A text field at the bottom of the screen where you type your message. A send button appears when you have typed something.

Loading state — A spinner is shown while the conversation history loads.

Blocked/pending state — If the conversation is blocked or pending acceptance, a footer message explains the situation with relevant action buttons.

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Messages are end-to-end encrypted within the Bluesky messaging system.

• If you need to verify your email before sending, a prompt will guide you through the process.

Common Questions

Q: I cannot send messages. A: You may need to verify your email address. A prompt will appear if this is required.

Q: The conversation shows a loading spinner indefinitely. A: Check your internet connection. If the problem persists, go back and reopen the conversation.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 29: Chat Settings

Overview

The Chat Settings screen lets you control who can send you new direct messages and (on mobile) whether notification sounds play for incoming chats.

Getting There

From the Chat List, tap the Settings icon in the header.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Chat Settings" as the title.

"Allow new messages from" section — A heading followed by three radio button options:

• Everyone — Anyone on Bluesky can send you a new message.

• Users I follow — Only people you follow can start new conversations.

• No one — No one can start new conversations with you.

Below the options, a tip box explains: "You can still continue existing conversations regardless of this setting."

"Notification Sounds" section (mobile only) — A heading followed by two radio button options:

• Enabled — A sound plays when you receive a chat notification.

• Disabled — No sound plays.

[Screenshot: Chat Settings screen showing message permission options]

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Changing who can message you does not affect conversations you are already in — those continue normally.

• The Notification Sounds setting is only available on the mobile app.

Common Questions

Q: I set "No one" but someone still messaged me. A: This setting only prevents new conversations from being started. Existing conversations are not affected.

Q: The Notification Sounds section is not visible. A: This section only appears on the iOS and Android apps, not on the web version.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 30: Settings Hub

Overview

The Settings screen is the central hub for all account and app configuration. From here you can access every settings sub-screen.

Getting There

Tap your avatar or the menu icon in the navigation, then tap Settings.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Settings" as the title.

Profile preview — Your avatar, display name, and handle are shown at the top.

Account switching — If you have multiple accounts, a Switch account row appears. Tap it to expand a list of your other accounts. Tap any account to switch to it. A Add another account option is always available.

Settings navigation links — A list of rows, each navigating to a sub-screen:

• Account — Email, password, handle, birthday, data export, account deletion.

• Privacy and Security — 2FA, app passwords, notification subscriptions, logged-out visibility.

• Moderation — Content filters, labeler subscriptions.

• Notifications — Configure which notifications you receive.

• Content & Media — Feed preferences, thread display, external media, interests.

• Find friends from contacts (mobile only) — Sync your phone contacts to find people you know.

• Appearance — Color mode, font, font size.

• Accessibility — Alt text, haptics.

• Languages — App language, content language preferences.

• Help — Opens the Bluesky help desk in your browser.

• About — App version, terms of service, privacy policy.

Sign out — A red "Sign out" button at the bottom. Tapping it asks you to confirm before signing out of all accounts.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Use the Switch account feature to manage multiple Bluesky accounts without signing out.

• The Sign out button signs out of all stored accounts on this device.

Common Questions

Q: I do not see the "Find friends from contacts" option. A: This feature is only available on the iOS and Android apps.

Q: How do I remove an account from the list without signing out? A: Tap the three-dot menu on the account row and select Remove account.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 31: Account Settings

Overview

The Account Settings screen lets you manage your core account credentials and identity, including your email, password, handle, birthday, and account lifecycle options (deactivation and deletion).

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Account.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Account" as the title.

Email row — Shows your current email address. A shield icon (blue) appears if your email is verified. If your email is not verified, a highlighted Verify your email banner appears above the Update email row.

Update email — Tap to change your email address.

Password — Tap to change your password.

Handle — Tap to change your @username.

Birthday — Shows your birthday with an Edit button. Tap Edit to change it.

Automation label — Shows whether your account is marked as a bot ("On" or "Off"). Tap to go to the Automation Label Settings screen.

Export my data — Tap to download a copy of your account data.

Deactivate account — Tap to temporarily deactivate your account (reversible).

Delete account — Tap to permanently delete your account (irreversible).

[Screenshot: Account Settings screen showing email, password, and handle rows]

Available Actions

Field Reference

See the dialogs opened by each action for their specific fields. The main screen itself has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Verify your email to unlock all features, including accepting chat requests.

• Deactivation is reversible — your account and data are preserved. Deletion is permanent.

• If you change your handle and you are verified, you will lose your verification status.

Common Questions

Q: I changed my handle but my old handle still shows in some places. A: Handle changes propagate across the network over time. It may take a few minutes for all surfaces to update.

Q: What is the difference between deactivation and deletion? A: Deactivation hides your account temporarily — you can reactivate it at any time. Deletion permanently removes your account and all your data.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 32: Privacy and Security Settings

Overview

This screen consolidates your privacy and security controls: two-factor authentication, app passwords, notification subscription visibility, and whether your content is visible to logged-out users.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Privacy and Security.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Privacy and Security" as the title.

Email 2FA row — Shows whether two-factor authentication is enabled (a blue shield icon appears when active). A Change or Enable button lets you manage 2FA.

App passwords row — Shows how many app passwords you have created (if any). Tap to go to the App Passwords screen.

Activity privacy row — Shows who can subscribe to receive notifications about your posts ("Anyone who follows me", "Only followers who I follow", or "No one"). Tap to go to the Activity Privacy Settings screen.

Logged-out visibility section — A toggle labeled "Show my content to logged-out users." When turned off, your posts and profile are not shown to people who are not signed in to Bluesky.

Privacy notice — An informational box explaining that Bluesky is an open network and describing what data privacy means in this context, with a link to the Bluesky data privacy help article.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields (the 2FA dialog that opens has a code input field).

Tips & Best Practices

• Enabling 2FA significantly improves your account security. We recommend enabling it.

• Turning off logged-out visibility means your posts will not appear in web searches or to non-Bluesky users.

Common Questions

Q: What is an App Password? A: An App Password is a secondary password you create for use with third-party Bluesky apps. It lets those apps access your account without knowing your main password. See Chapter 53: App Passwords.

Q: I turned off logged-out visibility. Will my existing posts be hidden? A: Yes, compliant apps will respect this setting and not show your content to logged-out users.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 33: Appearance Settings

Overview

The Appearance Settings screen lets you customize how the Bluesky app looks, including the color mode, dark theme style, font, and font size.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Appearance.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Appearance" as the title.

Color mode — A segmented control with three options:

• System — Follows your device's light/dark mode setting.

• Light — Always uses the light theme.

• Dark — Always uses the dark theme.

Dark theme (only visible when Color mode is not set to Light) — A segmented control with two options:

• Dim — A softer dark theme with slightly lighter backgrounds.

• Dark — A deeper, higher-contrast dark theme.

Font — A segmented control with two options:

• System — Uses your device's default font.

• Theme — Uses Bluesky's custom font. A note recommends this option for the best experience.

Font size — A segmented control with three options:

• Smaller — Reduces text size throughout the app.

• Default — The standard text size.

• Larger — Increases text size throughout the app.

App icon (internal builds on mobile only) — A row to change the app's home screen icon. This option is only visible in certain builds of the app.

[Screenshot: Appearance Settings showing color mode and font options]

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Changes take effect immediately — you can see the result as you tap each option.

• The Dim dark theme is easier on the eyes in low-light environments; Dark provides higher contrast.

Common Questions

Q: The Dark theme option disappeared. A: The dark theme selector only appears when Color mode is set to Dark or System. It is hidden in Light mode because it has no effect.

Q: I changed the font size but some text looks the same. A: Some UI elements use fixed sizes. The font size setting primarily affects post text and body copy.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 34: Accessibility Settings

Overview

The Accessibility Settings screen lets you configure features that make Bluesky easier to use, including alt text requirements and haptic feedback.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Accessibility.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Accessibility" as the title.

Alt text section — Two toggles:

• Require alt text before posting — When on, you cannot post images without adding a description (alt text) for each one.

• Display larger alt text badges — When on, the "ALT" badge on images is displayed at a larger size, making it easier to see.

Haptics section (mobile only) — One toggle:

• Disable haptic feedback — When on, the app stops vibrating in response to interactions.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Enabling Require alt text before posting helps make your content accessible to users who rely on screen readers.

• The Haptics section is only available on the iOS and Android apps.

Common Questions

Q: The Haptics section is not visible. A: This section only appears on the mobile app, not on the web version.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 35: Language Settings

Overview

The Language Settings screen lets you configure three language-related preferences: the language the app's interface uses, your primary language for translations, and which languages you want to see in your feeds.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Languages.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Languages" as the title.

App language section — A description and a dropdown to select the language for the app's menus, buttons, and interface text.

Primary language section — A description and a dropdown to select your preferred language for post translations. When you see a post in a different language, the app may offer to translate it into this language.

Content languages section — A description and a list of toggle chips, one per language you want to see in your feeds. Below the list, an Add more languages... button opens a dialog to add additional languages.

If no content languages are selected, an informational message reads: "All languages will be shown in your feeds."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If you want to see posts in all languages, leave the content languages list empty.

• Your primary language affects translation suggestions — set it to the language you are most comfortable reading.

Common Questions

Q: I added a content language but I am still seeing posts in other languages. A: Content language filtering depends on posts being tagged with a language. Not all posts are tagged, so some may still appear.

Q: The app language changed but some text is still in the old language. A: Some text may require an app restart to update. Close and reopen the app.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 36: Content and Media Settings

Overview

The Content and Media Settings screen is a hub for configuring how content is displayed throughout the app. It provides links to sub-screens for feed management, thread display, and external media, as well as direct toggles for autoplay and in-app browser behavior.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Content & Media.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Content & Media" as the title.

Navigation links (each opens a sub-screen):

• Manage saved feeds — Add, remove, and reorder your feed tabs.

• Thread preferences — Configure how reply threads are sorted and displayed.

• Following feed preferences — Control what types of posts appear in your Following feed.

• External media — Configure which third-party media services can load inline.

• Your interests — Select content topics to personalize your recommendations.

Toggles:

• Use in-app browser to open links (mobile only) — When on, links open in a browser within the app rather than your device's default browser.

• Autoplay videos and GIFs — When on, videos and animated GIFs play automatically as you scroll.

Trending section (when available):

• Enable trending topics — When on, trending topics appear in your Explore feed.

• Enable trending videos in your Discover feed — When on, trending videos appear in your Discover feed.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Disabling autoplay can save mobile data and battery life.

• The in-app browser option is only available on the mobile app.

Common Questions

Q: The trending section is not visible. A: Trending features may be disabled for your region or app version.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 37: Following Feed Preferences

Overview

This screen lets you control what types of posts appear in your Following feed — the chronological feed of posts from people you follow.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Content & Media → Following feed preferences.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Following Feed Preferences" as the title.

Tip box — An informational note explaining that these settings only apply to the Following feed, not to custom or algorithmic feeds.

Three toggles:

• Show replies — When on, replies from people you follow appear in your Following feed.

• Show reposts — When on, reposts from people you follow appear.

• Show quote posts — When on, quote posts from people you follow appear.

Experimental section (separated by a divider):

• Show samples of your saved feeds in your Following feed — An experimental feature that occasionally injects posts from your saved feeds into your Following feed.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If your Following feed feels cluttered, try turning off Show reposts to see only original posts.

• The experimental merge feed feature is clearly labeled — it may behave unexpectedly.

Common Questions

Q: I turned off reposts but I am still seeing them. A: Changes take effect immediately, but you may need to refresh your feed (pull down to refresh) to see the change.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 38: Thread Preferences

Overview

Thread Preferences lets you control how reply threads are displayed when you open a post.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Content & Media → Thread preferences.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Thread Preferences" as the title.

Sort replies section — A description ("Sort replies to the same post by:") followed by three radio button options:

• Top replies first — Shows the most engaged replies at the top.

• Oldest replies first — Shows replies in chronological order.

• Newest replies first — Shows the most recent replies first.

Tree view section — A single toggle:

• Show post replies in a threaded tree view — When on, nested replies are visually indented to show their parent-child relationships. When off, all replies are shown in a flat list.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Top replies first is useful for finding the most popular responses quickly.

• Tree view makes it easier to follow nested conversations but can make threads look more complex.

Common Questions

Q: I changed the sort order but threads still look the same. A: Changes apply to threads you open after making the change. Already-open threads may not update until you close and reopen them.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 39: External Media Preferences

Overview

This screen lets you control which third-party media services (such as YouTube, Spotify, or Giphy) are allowed to load their embedded players inline within posts. This is a privacy control — embedded players can send your device information to the third-party service when they load.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Content & Media → External media.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "External Media Preferences" as the title.

Privacy notice — An informational box explaining that external media may allow websites to collect device information, and that no data is sent until you press "play."

"Enable media players for" section — A list of toggle rows, one per supported media service (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, Giphy). Each row shows the service name and a toggle switch.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Disabling a service means its embedded content will show a "tap to play" placeholder instead of loading automatically.

• No data is sent to any service until you tap to play — even if a service is enabled, it only loads when you interact with it.

Common Questions

Q: I disabled YouTube but I can still see YouTube thumbnails. A: Thumbnails are served from Bluesky's own servers and do not involve YouTube directly. Only the interactive player is affected by this setting.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 40: Interests Settings

Overview

The Interests Settings screen lets you select content topics that personalize your feed recommendations, including suggested accounts, feeds, and starter packs in the Explore section.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Content & Media → Your interests, or tap Edit interests on the Interests card in the Explore screen.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Your interests" as the title. A loading spinner appears in the header while a save is in progress.

Description — A brief note explaining that your selected interests help serve relevant content.

Interest chips — A grid of pill-shaped buttons, one per available topic (e.g., Sports, Technology, Art, News). Selected interests appear filled/dark; unselected ones appear light.

Tip message — If you have selected fewer than two interests, a tip appears recommending you select at least two.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Changes are saved automatically after a short delay — you do not need to tap a Save button.

• Selecting more interests gives the app more information to personalize your recommendations.

• You can select zero interests if you prefer not to personalize your feed.

Common Questions

Q: I selected interests but my Explore feed did not change. A: Recommendation updates may take a moment to propagate. Navigate away and back to the Explore screen.

Q: I see a "Failed to save your interests" message. A: Check your internet connection and try adjusting your interests again.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 41: Find Contacts Settings

Overview

The Find Contacts Settings screen (labeled "Find Friends") lets you sync your phone's contact list with Bluesky to discover people you already know. This feature is only available on the iOS and Android apps.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Find friends from contacts (mobile only).

What You'll See

The screen shows one of two views depending on whether you have previously synced your contacts:

First-Time View (no previous sync)

• A hero image at the top.

• A description of the feature with a "learn more" link to the Bluesky blog.

• An Import contacts button (if your device supports contacts access).

• If contacts are not available on your device, an error message explains the limitation.

Management View (after syncing)

• A list of matched Bluesky accounts found in your contacts, each showing:

  • The person's avatar, name, and handle.

  • A Follow button.

  • A dismiss button (×) to remove the suggestion (only shown if you have not yet followed them).

• A Status header showing how many matches were found and a Follow all button (if any matches are not yet followed).

• A Status footer showing when you last synced, a Resync contacts link, and a Remove all contacts button.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Your contact data is processed in a privacy-preserving way — phone numbers are hashed before being sent to the server.

• Removing all contacts deletes your synced contact data from Bluesky's servers.

Common Questions

Q: This screen is not available on my device. A: The Find Contacts feature is only available on the iOS and Android apps, not on the web version.

Q: No matches were found. A: None of your contacts may have Bluesky accounts, or they may not have linked their phone number to their account.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 42: Notification Settings — Overview

The Notification Settings section contains individual screens for each type of notification. Each sub-screen follows the same layout described in Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide.

The available notification types are:

• Replies — When someone replies to your posts.

• Reposts — When someone reposts your posts.

• Likes — When someone likes your posts.

• Mentions — When someone mentions your @handle.

• Quotes — When someone quotes your posts.

• New followers — When someone follows you.

• Reposts of your reposts — When someone reposts a post you reposted.

• Likes of your reposts — When someone likes a post you reposted.

• Activity from others — Notifications from accounts you have subscribed to.

• Everything else — Notifications for starter pack joins and other miscellaneous events.

Navigate to Settings → Notifications to access these sub-screens.

Chapter 43: Reply Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications for replies to your posts.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Replies.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide for the standard layout. The description reads: "Get notifications when people reply to your posts."

This notification type supports a From filter (Everyone / People I follow) if your account's preference data includes it.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Setting the filter to People I follow reduces notification noise from strangers.

• The filter is disabled when both notification channels are turned off.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 44: Repost Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone reposts your posts.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Reposts.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people repost your posts."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 45: Like Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone likes your posts.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Likes.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people like your posts."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 46: Mention Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone mentions your @handle in a post.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Mentions.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people mention you."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 47: Quote Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone quotes your posts.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Quotes.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people quote your posts."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 48: New Follower Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone follows you.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → New followers.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people follow you."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 49: Reposts on Reposts Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone reposts a post that you previously reposted.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Reposts of your reposts.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people repost posts that you've reposted."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 50: Likes on Reposts Notification Settings

Overview

Configure when and how you receive notifications when someone likes a post that you reposted.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Likes of your reposts.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Get notifications when people like posts that you've reposted."

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 51: Activity Notification Settings

Overview

The Activity Notification Settings screen lets you configure notifications for posts from accounts you have subscribed to (accounts you have opted in to receive activity notifications from). It also shows a list of those subscribed accounts, where you can edit or manage each subscription.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Activity from others.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Notifications" as the title.

Channel controls — At the top of the list, the standard push and in-app notification toggles for the "Activity from others" category. See Notification Preference Controls.

Subscribed accounts list — Below the channel controls, a list of accounts you have subscribed to. Each card shows:

• The account's avatar, name, and handle.

• A summary of what you are subscribed to (e.g., "Posts, Replies" or "Posts").

• An Edit button to change your subscription settings for that account.

Empty state — If you have no subscriptions, a tip explains how to subscribe to accounts (via the bell icon on their profile) and a link to the Activity Privacy Settings screen.

Load more — Scroll to the bottom to load additional subscribed accounts.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• To subscribe to an account's activity, visit their profile and tap the bell icon.

• You can subscribe to receive notifications for just their posts, just their replies, or both.

Common Questions

Q: How do I subscribe to an account's activity? A: Go to that person's profile and tap the bell icon. You can then choose whether to be notified of their posts, replies, or both.

Q: The list is empty. A: You have not subscribed to any accounts' activity yet. Visit a profile and tap the bell icon to subscribe.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 52: Miscellaneous Notification Settings

Overview

This screen controls notifications for events that do not fit into other specific categories — primarily notifications when someone joins Bluesky using one of your starter packs.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Everything else.

What You'll See

See Notification Preference Controls in the Common Features Guide. The description reads: "Notifications for everything else, such as when someone joins via one of your starter packs."

Note: Only the Push notifications toggle is available on this screen. The in-app notifications toggle is not shown for this category.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• This toggle also controls notifications for verified and unverified account activity — all three types are grouped together under "Everything else."

Troubleshooting

Chapter 53: App Passwords

Overview

App Passwords let you create secondary passwords for use with third-party Bluesky apps. This allows those apps to access your account without knowing your main password, and you can revoke access at any time by deleting the app password.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Privacy and Security → App passwords.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "App Passwords" as the title.

Tip box — An explanation of what app passwords are for.

"Add App Password" button — A large blue button to create a new app password.

Password list — Each existing app password is shown as a card containing:

• The password's name (a label you chose when creating it).

• The date and time it was created.

• A delete button (trash icon) to remove it.

• A warning badge (yellow) if the password has access to direct messages ("Allows access to direct messages").

Empty state — If you have no app passwords, a message reads: "No app passwords yet."

[Screenshot: App Passwords screen showing a list of passwords with delete buttons]

Available Actions

Creating an App Password

When you tap Add App Password, a dialog opens with:

• Name field — Enter a label to identify this password (e.g., "My third-party app"). A random name is suggested if you leave it blank.

• Allow access to direct messages toggle — Turn on if the app needs to read your DMs. Leave off for apps that only need to post or read your feed.

• Next button — Creates the password.

After creation, the dialog shows the generated password. Copy it immediately — you will not be able to see it again. Tap Done when you have copied it.

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• Give each app password a descriptive name so you know which app it belongs to.

• If you stop using a third-party app, delete its app password to revoke its access.

• Never share your main password with third-party apps — use an app password instead.

• Copy the generated password immediately after creation; it cannot be retrieved later.

Common Questions

Q: I forgot to copy the password. Can I see it again? A: No — for security reasons, the password is only shown once. Delete the old one and create a new one.

Q: What does "Allows access to direct messages" mean? A: This means the app can read and send direct messages on your behalf. Only enable this for apps you fully trust.

Q: How many app passwords can I have? A: There is no stated limit in the app, but each password should be for a specific app or purpose.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 54: Automation Label Settings

Overview

The Automation Label Settings screen lets you add or remove a "bot" label on your account. This label publicly signals that your account is automated, displaying a badge next to your name on your profile and posts.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Account → Automation label.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Automation Label" as the title.

Profile preview card — A preview of how your profile will look with the bot badge applied, showing your avatar, display name, and handle.

Explanation text — A heading ("Add automation label to account") and a description explaining what the label does and that it can be toggled at any time.

Toggle row — A row with a robot icon, the label "Show automation label", and a toggle switch.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Only add the bot label if your account is genuinely automated. Misusing this label may confuse other users.

• The label can be removed at any time.

Common Questions

Q: What does the bot badge look like? A: A small robot icon appears next to your display name on your profile and posts.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 55: Activity Privacy Settings

Overview

This screen controls who can subscribe to receive push notifications when you post. This is separate from who can follow you — it specifically governs the notification subscription feature.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Privacy and Security → Activity privacy, or navigate to Settings → Notifications → Activity from others and tap the link in the empty state.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Privacy and Security" as the title.

Description row — A bell icon and the label "Allow others to be notified of your posts" with a description.

Three radio button options:

• Anyone who follows me — Any of your followers can subscribe to your post notifications.

• Only followers who I follow — Only mutual follows (people you follow back) can subscribe.

• No one — No one can subscribe to your post notifications.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• This setting does not affect who can follow you or see your posts — it only controls the notification subscription feature.

Common Questions

Q: What is a "notification subscription"? A: When someone subscribes to your activity, they receive a push notification whenever you post. This is an opt-in feature that followers can enable from your profile.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 56: Verification Settings

Overview

The Verification Settings screen lets you control whether verification badges are displayed on profiles and posts throughout the app.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Moderation → Verification Settings (or the equivalent path in your app version).

What You'll See

Header — Shows "Verification Settings" as the title.

Informational tip box — An explanation that Bluesky's verification system differs from other platforms, with a "Learn more" link to the Bluesky blog post about verification.

Toggle row — A row with a checkmark icon, the label "Hide verification badges", and a toggle switch.

Loading state — A spinner is shown while your preferences load.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Bluesky's verification system is decentralized and works differently from platforms like X (Twitter). The "Learn more" link explains how it works.

Common Questions

Q: What does hiding verification badges do? A: When enabled, the checkmark or verification indicator next to verified users' names is hidden throughout the app.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 57: App Icon Settings

Overview

The App Icon Settings screen lets you change the icon that represents Bluesky on your device's home screen. This feature is available on the mobile app in certain builds.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → Appearance → App Icon (visible only on supported mobile builds).

What You'll See

Two sections of icon options:

• Default icons — Two icons available to all users: a light variant and a dark variant of the standard Bluesky icon.

• Bluesky+ icons — Eight premium icons available to Bluesky+ subscribers, including Aurora, Sunrise, Sunset, Midnight, and several flat color variants.

Each icon is displayed as a preview image in the correct shape for your device (rounded square on iOS, circle on Android). The currently selected icon is highlighted.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• The premium icons require a Bluesky+ subscription.

• The icon change takes effect immediately on your home screen.

Common Questions

Q: The App Icon option is not visible in my Settings. A: This feature is only available on certain builds of the iOS and Android apps. It is not available on the web version.

Q: The premium icons are grayed out. A: These icons require a Bluesky+ subscription.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 58: About Settings

Overview

The About Settings screen provides links to legal documents, diagnostic tools, and build information for the Bluesky app.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → About.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "About" as the title.

Navigation links:

• Terms of Service — Opens the Bluesky Terms of Service in your browser.

• Privacy Policy — Opens the Bluesky Privacy Policy in your browser.

• Status Page — Opens the Bluesky service status page in your browser.

System log — Opens the in-app system log (for diagnostic purposes).

Clear image cache (mobile only) — Clears cached images from your device. Shows a loading indicator while clearing, and a success message with the amount of space freed (on Android).

Version — Shows the current app version and build metadata. Tap to copy diagnostic information to your clipboard. Long-press to enable developer mode (for internal testing purposes).

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If the app is behaving unexpectedly, clearing the image cache can sometimes resolve display issues.

• The version row is useful when reporting bugs — copy the build information and include it in your report.

Common Questions

Q: What is the system log? A: The system log shows technical diagnostic information about the app's activity. It is primarily useful for developers and support staff.

Q: The "Clear image cache" option is not visible. A: This option is only available on the iOS and Android apps.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 59: Starter Pack Screen

Overview

The Starter Pack screen displays a curated bundle of suggested accounts to follow and feeds to subscribe to. You can follow all the suggested accounts at once, browse the individual members and feeds, and see posts from the pack's members.

Getting There

• Tap a starter pack link shared by another user.

• Tap a starter pack card in the Explore screen.

• Navigate to a user's profile and tap one of their starter packs.

What You'll See

Profile-style header — Shows the pack's name, the creator's avatar and handle, and action buttons.

Info strip — Below the header:

• The pack's description (if provided).

• A Join Bluesky button (if you are not signed in).

• A join count badge (e.g., "1,234 joined this week") if the pack has enough members.

Action buttons (when signed in):

• Follow all — Follows all accounts in the pack at once (shown to non-owners who have not yet followed everyone).

• Share — Opens a share dialog with a link and QR code.

• Menu (three dots) — Options to edit (owners), delete (owners), create a list from members (owners), or report (non-owners).

Three tabs:

• People — A list of accounts in the pack, each with a follow button.

• Feeds — Feed generators included in the pack, each with a subscribe button.

• Posts — Recent posts from the pack's members.

[Screenshot: Starter Pack screen showing header, info strip, and People tab]

Available Actions

Viewing

• Tap any account in the People tab to view their profile.

• Tap any feed in the Feeds tab to preview it.

• Tap any post in the Posts tab to open its thread.

Social Actions

• Tap Follow all to follow everyone in the pack.

• Tap Follow on individual accounts in the People tab.

Sharing

• Tap Share to get a shareable link or QR code.

Owner Actions

• Tap the menu (three dots) → Edit to modify the pack.

• Tap the menu → Delete to delete the pack (requires confirmation).

• Tap the menu → Create list from members to convert the pack's members to a standalone list.

Field Reference

This screen has no text input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• "Follow all" skips accounts you already follow, accounts that have blocked you, and accounts you have muted.

• Sharing a starter pack link lets others join Bluesky with your curated recommendations pre-selected.

Common Questions

Q: The "Follow all" button is disabled. A: A follow operation is already in progress. Wait for it to complete.

Q: I deleted the pack but it still appears in search results. A: Deletion propagates across the network over time. It may take a few minutes to disappear everywhere.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 60: Starter Pack Landing Page

Overview

The Starter Pack Landing Page is shown to users who are not yet signed in when they follow a starter pack link. It previews the pack's contents and invites them to create a Bluesky account with the pack pre-selected.

Getting There

Open a starter pack link while not signed in to Bluesky.

What You'll See

Branded header — A gradient background with the Bluesky logo, the pack's name, and the creator's handle.

Description — The pack's description text (if provided).

"Join Bluesky" button — The primary call to action.

Join count — A badge showing how many people have joined using this pack (if the count is high enough).

People section — Up to 8 sample accounts from the pack, each showing an avatar, name, and handle.

Feeds section — Any feeds included in the pack.

"Create an account without using this starter pack" button — A secondary option to create an account without applying the pack.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• Tapping Join Bluesky takes you through the account creation flow with this pack pre-selected — you will automatically follow the pack's accounts after signing up.

Common Questions

Q: I tapped "Join Bluesky" but nothing happened. A: On Android, a dialog may appear offering to download the app from Google Play. On iOS, you may be prompted to install the full app.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 61: Starter Pack Wizard

Overview

The Starter Pack Wizard guides you through creating a new starter pack — a curated bundle of accounts and feeds you can share with others. The wizard has three steps: Details, Profiles, and Feeds.

Getting There

Navigate to your profile and tap the option to create a new starter pack (the exact path depends on your app version).

What You'll See

The wizard uses a consistent layout with a Back button and a Next button at the bottom, and a progress indicator at the top.

Step 1: Details

• A Starter Pack icon and a heading: "Invites, but personal".

• A description: "Invite your friends to follow your favorite feeds and people."

• Name field — Enter a name for your starter pack (up to 50 characters). A character counter shows how many characters you have used.

• Description field — An optional multiline field to describe your pack.

Step 2: Profiles

• A search bar at the top to find specific users.

• A list of suggested accounts (popular accounts or accounts matching your search).

• Each account card has a checkbox — tap to add or remove the account from your pack.

Step 3: Feeds

• A search bar at the top to find specific feeds.

• A list of your saved feeds and popular feeds.

• Each feed card has a checkbox — tap to add or remove the feed from your pack.

Available Actions

Field Reference

Tips & Best Practices

• You can include up to the maximum number of accounts allowed by Bluesky in a single pack.

• You can include up to 3 feeds in a pack.

• Give your pack a descriptive name so people know what to expect.

Common Questions

Q: I cannot add more accounts. A: You have reached the maximum number of accounts allowed in a starter pack.

Q: I cannot add more feeds. A: Starter packs support a maximum of 3 feeds.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 62: List Hidden Screen

Overview

This screen appears when you try to view a Bluesky list that has been hidden due to content moderation or a blocking relationship. It explains why the list is not visible and offers options to resolve the situation.

Getting There

This screen appears automatically when you navigate to a list that cannot be displayed.

What You'll See

Icon and message — An eye-slash icon and a message explaining why the list is hidden. The message varies depending on the reason:

• If you or the list creator have blocked each other, the message explains the blocking relationship.

• Otherwise, the message explains that the list's name or description violates content guidelines.

Action buttons — Depending on your relationship to the list:

• Remove from saved feeds — (If the list is saved as a feed) Removes it from your saved feeds.

• Show anyway — (If you are the list owner) Overrides the content warning and shows the list.

• Unsubscribe from list — (If you are subscribed to the list) Unsubscribes you from it.

• Go Back — Returns to the previous screen.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• If you are the list owner and see this screen, review your list's name and description for content that may violate guidelines.

Common Questions

Q: I am the list owner but I cannot edit it from this screen. A: Tap Show anyway to view the list, then use the list's edit options to update its content.

Troubleshooting

Chapter 63: Log Screen

Overview

The Log Screen displays the app's internal system log — a record of technical events, warnings, and errors. This screen is primarily useful for diagnosing problems and is intended for technical users or when reporting issues to support.

Getting There

Navigate to Settings → About → System log.

What You'll See

Header — Shows "System log" as the title.

Log entry list — A scrollable list of log entries, each showing:

• An icon — A warning triangle (red) for errors and warnings; an info circle for other entries.

• An optional context label in parentheses identifying which part of the app generated the entry.

• The message text.

• A relative timestamp (e.g., "2 minutes ago").

• A chevron (›) if the entry has additional details.

Expanded details — Tap any entry with a chevron to expand it and see the full technical details in a formatted code block.

Available Actions

Field Reference

This screen has no input fields.

Tips & Best Practices

• When reporting a bug, navigate to this screen and look for recent red warning entries — they may help identify the cause.

• The log is stored in memory and is cleared when you close the app.

Common Questions

Q: The log is empty. A: No log entries have been generated in this session. Use the app for a while and check back.

Troubleshooting

Glossary

Quick Reference Card

Signing In

• Open app → Sign in → Enter handle/email and password → Sign in

• With 2FA: Enter the code from your email when prompted

Creating an Account

• Open app → Create account → Follow the 3-step signup wizard

Navigating the App

• Home — Your feed

• Search — Discover new content and accounts

• Notifications — Likes, replies, follows, mentions

• Messages — Direct conversations

• Profile — Your profile and settings

Common Actions

Direct Messages

Managing Feeds

Source Traceability

This appendix is for the document maintainer, not the end user.

Documentation Coverage

This appendix is for the document maintainer, not the end user.

Screens Covered

All 130 screens listed in the assessment scope are covered in this document. However, many of the assessed screens are utility modules, sub-components, platform stubs, or state management files rather than full navigable screens. These have been incorporated into the relevant chapters rather than given standalone chapters.

Screens Assessed as Non-Navigable Utilities

The following assessed items are not standalone screens and were incorporated into parent chapters:

Partially Documented Workflows

Inferred Information

The following information was inferred from technology conventions rather than explicitly documented, and should be verified before distribution:

1. Tab bar navigation — The existence and labels of the main tab bar (Home, Search, Notifications, Messages, Profile) were inferred from the overall application structure. Verify with the product owner that these tab labels and icons match the current production app.

2. Notification settings navigation path — The path "Settings → Notifications → [type]" was inferred from the route structure. Verify the exact menu labels with the QA team lead.

3. Moderation screen path — The path to Verification Settings was inferred as "Settings → Moderation → Verification Settings." Verify the exact navigation path with the product owner.

4. App Icon Settings navigation path — Inferred as "Settings → Appearance → App Icon." Verify with the QA team lead.

5. Post interaction buttons — The labels and behavior of Like, Repost, Reply, and Share buttons were inferred from standard social media conventions and partial documentation. Verify exact button labels and behavior with the QA team lead.

6. Session timeout behavior — The documentation does not specify an exact session timeout duration. The manual states sessions expire "after a period of inactivity." Verify the exact timeout with the product owner and insert the specific duration in Chapter 2: Login Form and the Getting Started section.

Recommendations for Verification Before Distribution