Snac

Snac is a minimal ActivityPub server implementation written in portable C. It provides basic federated social networking features with very small runtime dependencies and a simple, JavaScript-free web interface.

Key Features

• Implements core ActivityPub/ActivityStreams operations for publishing, following, replying, liking/boosting and private messages.
• Multiuser support with local account management and man-page style documentation for administration.
• Very small dependency footprint: written in C and depends only on libcurl and OpenSSL at build/runtime.
• Optional compatibility layer for the Mastodon API (can be compiled out with a build flag).
• No external database required; server stores data on disk and uses compact internal formats.
• Minimal, accessible web UI (no JavaScript, no cookies) and examples for Docker + nginx deployment.
• Designed for interoperability with other Fediverse software and lightweight hosts (Raspberry Pi and small VPSes).

Use Cases

• Host a small, low-resource federated social instance for a personal community or project team.
• Run a privacy-focused or resource-constrained Fediverse node where minimal dependencies and no DB are desirable.
• Provide an ActivityPub-compatible backend for Mastodon-compatible clients in small deployments.

Limitations and Considerations

• Mastodon API support is indicated as work in progress and may not implement every endpoint or behavior expected by all Mastodon clients.
• No built-in TLS termination: the daemon is intended to run behind a TLS-capable web server or reverse proxy (examples use nginx).
• The "no database" design simplifies operation but can limit scalability and some advanced features compared with full-featured, database-backed Fediverse servers.
• The web UI is intentionally minimal; some advanced client workflows (rich media management, complex moderation UIs) are limited or absent.

Snac is a pragmatic, low-footprint ActivityPub server focused on simplicity, portability and interoperability. It is well-suited for hobbyists, small communities and constrained environments where minimal runtime requirements and straightforward administration are priorities.