diff --git a/bookwyrm/settings.py b/bookwyrm/settings.py
index f2068a16b..0242ba477 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/settings.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/settings.py
@@ -119,6 +119,20 @@ STREAMS = [
     {"key": "books", "name": _("Books Timeline"), "shortname": _("Books")},
 ]
 
+# Redis cache backend
+# pylint: disable=line-too-long
+CACHES = {
+    "default": {
+        "BACKEND": "django_redis.cache.RedisCache",
+        "LOCATION": f"redis://:{REDIS_ACTIVITY_PASSWORD}@{REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST}:{REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT}/0",
+        "OPTIONS": {
+            "CLIENT_CLASS": "django_redis.client.DefaultClient",
+        }
+    }
+}
+SESSION_ENGINE = "django.contrib.sessions.backends.cache"
+SESSION_CACHE_ALIAS = "default"
+
 # Database
 # https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/3.2/ref/settings/#databases
 
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 9c22a6eda..ec97e3897 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ django-rename-app==0.1.2
 pytz>=2021.1
 boto3==1.17.88
 django-storages==1.11.1
+django-redis==5.2.0
 
 # Dev
 black==21.4b0