diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 7a67045cd..7f80a72ce 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -22,8 +22,13 @@ POSTGRES_USER=fedireads
 POSTGRES_DB=fedireads
 POSTGRES_HOST=db
 
-CELERY_BROKER=redis://redis:6379/0
-CELERY_RESULT_BACKEND=redis://redis:6379/0
+# Redis activity stream manager
+REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST=redis_activity
+REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT=6379
+
+# Celery config with redis broker
+CELERY_BROKER=redis://redis_broker:6379/0
+CELERY_RESULT_BACKEND=redis://redis_broker:6379/0
 
 EMAIL_HOST="smtp.mailgun.org"
 EMAIL_PORT=587
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e6a75375d..e798fedf5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ Web backend
 - [ActivityPub](http://activitypub.rocks/) federation
 - [Celery](http://celeryproject.org/) task queuing
 - [Redis](https://redis.io/) task backend
+- [Redis (again)](https://redis.io/) activity stream manager
 
 Front end
 - Django templates
@@ -236,6 +237,11 @@ When there are changes available in the production branch, you can install and g
 - `docker-compose exec web python manage.py collectstatic --no-input` loads any updated static files (such as the JavaScript and CSS)
 - `docker-compose restart` reloads the docker containers
 
+### Re-building activity streams
+
+If something goes awry with user timelines, and you want to re-create them en mass, there's a management command for that:
+`docker-compose run --rm web python manage.py rebuild_feeds`
+
 ### Port Conflicts
 
 BookWyrm has multiple services that run on their default ports.
diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..88f1f0114
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+""" access the activity streams stored in redis """
+from abc import ABC
+from django.dispatch import receiver
+from django.db.models import signals, Q
+import redis
+
+from bookwyrm import models, settings
+from bookwyrm.views.helpers import privacy_filter
+
+r = redis.Redis(
+    host=settings.REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST, port=settings.REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT, db=0
+)
+
+
+class ActivityStream(ABC):
+    """ a category of activity stream (like home, local, federated) """
+
+    def stream_id(self, user):
+        """ the redis key for this user's instance of this stream """
+        return "{}-{}".format(user.id, self.key)
+
+    def unread_id(self, user):
+        """ the redis key for this user's unread count for this stream """
+        return "{}-unread".format(self.stream_id(user))
+
+    def add_status(self, status):
+        """ add a status to users' feeds """
+        # we want to do this as a bulk operation, hence "pipeline"
+        pipeline = r.pipeline()
+        for user in self.stream_users(status):
+            # add the status to the feed
+            pipeline.lpush(self.stream_id(user), status.id)
+            pipeline.ltrim(self.stream_id(user), 0, settings.MAX_STREAM_LENGTH)
+
+            # add to the unread status count
+            pipeline.incr(self.unread_id(user))
+        # and go!
+        pipeline.execute()
+
+    def remove_status(self, status):
+        """ remove a status from all feeds """
+        pipeline = r.pipeline()
+        for user in self.stream_users(status):
+            pipeline.lrem(self.stream_id(user), -1, status.id)
+        pipeline.execute()
+
+    def add_user_statuses(self, viewer, user):
+        """ add a user's statuses to another user's feed """
+        pipeline = r.pipeline()
+        for status in user.status_set.all()[: settings.MAX_STREAM_LENGTH]:
+            pipeline.lpush(self.stream_id(viewer), status.id)
+        pipeline.execute()
+
+    def remove_user_statuses(self, viewer, user):
+        """ remove a user's status from another user's feed """
+        pipeline = r.pipeline()
+        for status in user.status_set.all()[: settings.MAX_STREAM_LENGTH]:
+            pipeline.lrem(self.stream_id(viewer), -1, status.id)
+        pipeline.execute()
+
+    def get_activity_stream(self, user):
+        """ load the ids for statuses to be displayed """
+        # clear unreads for this feed
+        r.set(self.unread_id(user), 0)
+
+        statuses = r.lrange(self.stream_id(user), 0, -1)
+        return (
+            models.Status.objects.select_subclasses()
+            .filter(id__in=statuses)
+            .order_by("-published_date")
+        )
+
+    def get_unread_count(self, user):
+        """ get the unread status count for this user's feed """
+        return int(r.get(self.unread_id(user)))
+
+    def populate_stream(self, user):
+        """ go from zero to a timeline """
+        pipeline = r.pipeline()
+        statuses = self.stream_statuses(user)
+
+        stream_id = self.stream_id(user)
+        for status in statuses.all()[: settings.MAX_STREAM_LENGTH]:
+            pipeline.lpush(stream_id, status.id)
+        pipeline.execute()
+
+    def stream_users(self, status):  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
+        """ given a status, what users should see it """
+        # direct messages don't appeard in feeds, direct comments/reviews/etc do
+        if status.privacy == "direct" and status.status_type == "Note":
+            return None
+
+        # everybody who could plausibly see this status
+        audience = models.User.objects.filter(
+            is_active=True,
+            local=True,  # we only create feeds for users of this instance
+        ).exclude(
+            Q(id__in=status.user.blocks.all()) | Q(blocks=status.user)  # not blocked
+        )
+
+        # only visible to the poster and mentioned users
+        if status.privacy == "direct":
+            audience = audience.filter(
+                Q(id=status.user.id)  # if the user is the post's author
+                | Q(id__in=status.mention_users.all())  # if the user is mentioned
+            )
+        # only visible to the poster's followers and tagged users
+        elif status.privacy == "followers":
+            audience = audience.filter(
+                Q(id=status.user.id)  # if the user is the post's author
+                | Q(following=status.user)  # if the user is following the author
+            )
+        return audience
+
+    def stream_statuses(self, user):  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
+        """ given a user, what statuses should they see on this stream """
+        return privacy_filter(
+            user,
+            models.Status.objects.select_subclasses(),
+            privacy_levels=["public", "unlisted", "followers"],
+        )
+
+
+class HomeStream(ActivityStream):
+    """ users you follow """
+
+    key = "home"
+
+    def stream_users(self, status):
+        audience = super().stream_users(status)
+        return audience.filter(
+            Q(id=status.user.id)  # if the user is the post's author
+            | Q(following=status.user)  # if the user is following the author
+        )
+
+    def stream_statuses(self, user):
+        return privacy_filter(
+            user,
+            models.Status.objects.select_subclasses(),
+            privacy_levels=["public", "unlisted", "followers"],
+            following_only=True,
+        )
+
+
+class LocalStream(ActivityStream):
+    """ users you follow """
+
+    key = "local"
+
+    def stream_users(self, status):
+        # this stream wants no part in non-public statuses
+        if status.privacy != "public" or not status.user.local:
+            return None
+        return super().stream_users(status)
+
+    def stream_statuses(self, user):
+        # all public statuses by a local user
+        return privacy_filter(
+            user,
+            models.Status.objects.select_subclasses().filter(user__local=True),
+            privacy_levels=["public"],
+        )
+
+
+class FederatedStream(ActivityStream):
+    """ users you follow """
+
+    key = "federated"
+
+    def stream_users(self, status):
+        # this stream wants no part in non-public statuses
+        if status.privacy != "public":
+            return None
+        return super().stream_users(status)
+
+    def stream_statuses(self, user):
+        return privacy_filter(
+            user,
+            models.Status.objects.select_subclasses(),
+            privacy_levels=["public"],
+        )
+
+
+streams = {
+    "home": HomeStream(),
+    "local": LocalStream(),
+    "federated": FederatedStream(),
+}
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_save)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def add_status_on_create(sender, instance, created, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ add newly created statuses to activity feeds """
+    # we're only interested in new statuses
+    if not issubclass(sender, models.Status):
+        return
+
+    if instance.deleted:
+        for stream in streams.values():
+            stream.remove_status(instance)
+        return
+
+    if not created:
+        return
+
+    # iterates through Home, Local, Federated
+    for stream in streams.values():
+        stream.add_status(instance)
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_delete, sender=models.Boost)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def remove_boost_on_delete(sender, instance, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ boosts are deleted """
+    # we're only interested in new statuses
+    for stream in streams.values():
+        stream.remove_status(instance)
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_save, sender=models.UserFollows)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def add_statuses_on_follow(sender, instance, created, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ add a newly followed user's statuses to feeds """
+    if not created or not instance.user_subject.local:
+        return
+    HomeStream().add_user_statuses(instance.user_subject, instance.user_object)
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_delete, sender=models.UserFollows)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def remove_statuses_on_unfollow(sender, instance, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ remove statuses from a feed on unfollow """
+    if not instance.user_subject.local:
+        return
+    HomeStream().remove_user_statuses(instance.user_subject, instance.user_object)
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_save, sender=models.UserBlocks)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def remove_statuses_on_block(sender, instance, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ remove statuses from all feeds on block """
+    # blocks apply ot all feeds
+    if instance.user_subject.local:
+        for stream in streams.values():
+            stream.remove_user_statuses(instance.user_subject, instance.user_object)
+
+    # and in both directions
+    if instance.user_object.local:
+        for stream in streams.values():
+            stream.remove_user_statuses(instance.user_object, instance.user_subject)
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_delete, sender=models.UserBlocks)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def add_statuses_on_unblock(sender, instance, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ remove statuses from all feeds on block """
+    public_streams = [LocalStream(), FederatedStream()]
+    # add statuses back to streams with statuses from anyone
+    if instance.user_subject.local:
+        for stream in public_streams:
+            stream.add_user_statuses(instance.user_subject, instance.user_object)
+
+    # add statuses back to streams with statuses from anyone
+    if instance.user_object.local:
+        for stream in public_streams:
+            stream.add_user_statuses(instance.user_object, instance.user_subject)
+
+
+@receiver(signals.post_save, sender=models.User)
+# pylint: disable=unused-argument
+def populate_feed_on_account_create(sender, instance, created, *args, **kwargs):
+    """ build a user's feeds when they join """
+    if not created or not instance.local:
+        return
+
+    for stream in streams.values():
+        stream.populate_stream(instance)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/management/commands/rebuild_feeds.py b/bookwyrm/management/commands/rebuild_feeds.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..70d4dd981
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/management/commands/rebuild_feeds.py
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+""" Delete and re-create user feeds """
+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
+import redis
+
+from bookwyrm import activitystreams, models, settings
+
+r = redis.Redis(
+    host=settings.REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST, port=settings.REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT, db=0
+)
+
+
+def erase_feeds():
+    """ throw the whole redis away """
+    r.flushall()
+
+
+def create_feeds():
+    """ build all the fields for all the users """
+    users = models.User.objects.filter(
+        local=True,
+        is_active=True,
+    )
+    for user in users:
+        for stream in activitystreams.streams.values():
+            stream.populate_stream(user)
+
+
+class Command(BaseCommand):
+    """ start all over with user feeds """
+
+    help = "Delete and re-create all the user feeds"
+    # pylint: disable=no-self-use,unused-argument
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+        """ run feed builder """
+        erase_feeds()
+        create_feeds()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py b/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
index 60e5da0ad..cb2fc851e 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class BookWyrmModel(models.Model):
 
 @receiver(models.signals.post_save)
 # pylint: disable=unused-argument
-def execute_after_save(sender, instance, created, *args, **kwargs):
+def set_remote_id(sender, instance, created, *args, **kwargs):
     """ set the remote_id after save (when the id is available) """
     if not created or not hasattr(instance, "get_remote_id"):
         return
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/relationship.py b/bookwyrm/models/relationship.py
index df99d2165..998d7bed5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/relationship.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/relationship.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class UserFollows(ActivityMixin, UserRelationship):
 
     status = "follows"
 
-    def to_activity(self):
+    def to_activity(self):  # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
         """ overrides default to manually set serializer """
         return activitypub.Follow(**generate_activity(self))
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/status.py b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
index 904ce461d..77ac4b582 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class Status(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, BookWyrmModel):
         return list(set(mentions))
 
     @classmethod
-    def ignore_activity(cls, activity):
+    def ignore_activity(cls, activity):  # pylint: disable=too-many-return-statements
         """ keep notes if they are replies to existing statuses """
         if activity.type == "Announce":
             try:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/settings.py b/bookwyrm/settings.py
index bcff58287..368064355 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/settings.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/settings.py
@@ -92,6 +92,12 @@ TEMPLATES = [
 
 WSGI_APPLICATION = "bookwyrm.wsgi.application"
 
+# redis/activity streams settings
+REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST = env("REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST", "localhost")
+REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT = env("REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT", 6379)
+
+MAX_STREAM_LENGTH = env("MAX_STREAM_LENGTH", 200)
+STREAMS = ["home", "local", "federated"]
 
 # Database
 # https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/2.0/ref/settings/#databases
diff --git a/bookwyrm/static/js/shared.js b/bookwyrm/static/js/shared.js
index d390f482f..1f26aba63 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/static/js/shared.js
+++ b/bookwyrm/static/js/shared.js
@@ -61,9 +61,9 @@ function polling(el, delay) {
 
 function updateCountElement(el, data) {
     const currentCount = el.innerText;
-    const count = data[el.getAttribute('data-poll')];
+    const count = data.count;
     if (count != currentCount) {
-        addRemoveClass(el, 'hidden', count < 1);
+        addRemoveClass(el.closest('[data-poll-wrapper]'), 'hidden', count < 1);
         el.innerText = count;
     }
 }
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/feed/feed.html b/bookwyrm/templates/feed/feed.html
index 76afea7e7..379bf9272 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/feed/feed.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/feed/feed.html
@@ -3,7 +3,15 @@
 {% load bookwyrm_tags %}
 {% block panel %}
 
-<h1 class="title">{% blocktrans %}{{ tab_title }} Timeline{% endblocktrans %}</h1>
+<h1 class="title">
+    {% if tab == 'home' %}
+    {% trans "Home Timeline" %}
+    {% elif tab == 'local' %}
+    {% trans "Local Timeline" %}
+    {% else %}
+    {% trans "Federated Timeline" %}
+    {% endif %}
+</h1>
 <div class="tabs">
     <ul>
         <li class="{% if tab == 'home' %}is-active{% endif %}"{% if tab == 'home' %} aria-current="page"{% endif %}>
@@ -19,7 +27,12 @@
 </div>
 
 {# announcements and system messages #}
-{% if request.user.show_goal and not goal and tab == 'home' and not activities.number > 1 %}
+{% if not activities.number > 1 %}
+<a href="{{ request.path }}" class="hidden notification is-primary is-block" data-poll-wrapper>
+    {% blocktrans %}load <span data-poll="stream/{{ tab }}">0</span> unread status(es){% endblocktrans %}
+</a>
+
+{% if request.user.show_goal and not goal and tab == 'home' %}
 {% now 'Y' as year %}
 <section class="block">
     {% include 'snippets/goal_card.html' with year=year %}
@@ -27,6 +40,8 @@
 </section>
 {% endif %}
 
+{% endif %}
+
 {# activity feed #}
 {% if not activities %}
 <p>{% trans "There aren't any activities right now! Try following a user to get started" %}</p>
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html b/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html
index e57f61520..d08b18202 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/layout.html
@@ -139,8 +139,8 @@
                             <span class="is-sr-only">{% trans "Notifications" %}</span>
                         </span>
                     </span>
-                    <span class="{% if not request.user|notification_count %}hidden {% endif %}tag is-danger is-medium" data-poll="notifications">
-                        {{ request.user | notification_count }}
+                    <span class="{% if not request.user|notification_count %}hidden {% endif %}tag is-danger is-medium" data-poll-wrapper>
+                        <span data-poll="notifications">{{ request.user | notification_count }}</span>
                     </span>
                 </a>
             </div>
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/activitypub/test_base_activity.py b/bookwyrm/tests/activitypub/test_base_activity.py
index f3d3decde..8ec0b703f 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/activitypub/test_base_activity.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/activitypub/test_base_activity.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitySerializerError
 from bookwyrm import models
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
 class BaseActivity(TestCase):
     """ the super class for model-linked activitypub dataclasses """
 
@@ -43,24 +44,24 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         image.save(output, format=image.format)
         self.image_data = output.getvalue()
 
-    def test_init(self):
+    def test_init(self, _):
         """ simple successfuly init """
         instance = ActivityObject(id="a", type="b")
         self.assertTrue(hasattr(instance, "id"))
         self.assertTrue(hasattr(instance, "type"))
 
-    def test_init_missing(self):
+    def test_init_missing(self, _):
         """ init with missing required params """
         with self.assertRaises(ActivitySerializerError):
             ActivityObject()
 
-    def test_init_extra_fields(self):
+    def test_init_extra_fields(self, _):
         """ init ignoring additional fields """
         instance = ActivityObject(id="a", type="b", fish="c")
         self.assertTrue(hasattr(instance, "id"))
         self.assertTrue(hasattr(instance, "type"))
 
-    def test_init_default_field(self):
+    def test_init_default_field(self, _):
         """ replace an existing required field with a default field """
 
         @dataclass(init=False)
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(instance.id, "a")
         self.assertEqual(instance.type, "TestObject")
 
-    def test_serialize(self):
+    def test_serialize(self, _):
         """ simple function for converting dataclass to dict """
         instance = ActivityObject(id="a", type="b")
         serialized = instance.serialize()
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(serialized["type"], "b")
 
     @responses.activate
-    def test_resolve_remote_id(self):
+    def test_resolve_remote_id(self, _):
         """ look up or load remote data """
         # existing item
         result = resolve_remote_id("http://example.com/a/b", model=models.User)
@@ -104,14 +105,14 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result.remote_id, "https://example.com/user/mouse")
         self.assertEqual(result.name, "MOUSE?? MOUSE!!")
 
-    def test_to_model_invalid_model(self):
+    def test_to_model_invalid_model(self, _):
         """ catch mismatch between activity type and model type """
         instance = ActivityObject(id="a", type="b")
         with self.assertRaises(ActivitySerializerError):
             instance.to_model(model=models.User)
 
     @responses.activate
-    def test_to_model_image(self):
+    def test_to_model_image(self, _):
         """ update an image field """
         activity = activitypub.Person(
             id=self.user.remote_id,
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(self.user.name, "New Name")
         self.assertEqual(self.user.key_pair.public_key, "hi")
 
-    def test_to_model_many_to_many(self):
+    def test_to_model_many_to_many(self, _):
         """ annoying that these all need special handling """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(status.mention_books.first(), book)
 
     @responses.activate
-    def test_to_model_one_to_many(self):
+    def test_to_model_one_to_many(self, _):
         """these are reversed relationships, where the secondary object
         keys the primary object but not vice versa"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -214,7 +215,7 @@ class BaseActivity(TestCase):
         self.assertIsNone(status.attachments.first())
 
     @responses.activate
-    def test_set_related_field(self):
+    def test_set_related_field(self, _):
         """ celery task to add back-references to created objects """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
index 930f3a533..0d1acd978 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin import ActivitypubMixin
 from bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin import ActivityMixin, ObjectMixin
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
 class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
     """ functionality shared across models """
 
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         }
 
     # ActivitypubMixin
-    def test_to_activity(self):
+    def test_to_activity(self, _):
         """ model to ActivityPub json """
 
         @dataclass(init=False)
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["id"], "https://www.example.com/test")
         self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Test")
 
-    def test_find_existing_by_remote_id(self):
+    def test_find_existing_by_remote_id(self, _):
         """ attempt to match a remote id to an object in the db """
         # uses a different remote id scheme
         # this isn't really part of this test directly but it's helpful to state
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         # test subclass match
         result = models.Status.find_existing_by_remote_id("https://comment.net")
 
-    def test_find_existing(self):
+    def test_find_existing(self, _):
         """ match a blob of data to a model """
         book = models.Edition.objects.create(
             title="Test edition",
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         result = models.Edition.find_existing({"openlibraryKey": "OL1234"})
         self.assertEqual(result, book)
 
-    def test_get_recipients_public_object(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_public_object(self, _):
         """ determines the recipients for an object's broadcast """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("privacy"))
         mock_self = MockSelf("public")
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(len(recipients), 1)
         self.assertEqual(recipients[0], self.remote_user.inbox)
 
-    def test_get_recipients_public_user_object_no_followers(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_public_user_object_no_followers(self, _):
         """ determines the recipients for a user's object broadcast """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("privacy", "user"))
         mock_self = MockSelf("public", self.local_user)
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         recipients = ActivitypubMixin.get_recipients(mock_self)
         self.assertEqual(len(recipients), 0)
 
-    def test_get_recipients_public_user_object(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_public_user_object(self, _):
         """ determines the recipients for a user's object broadcast """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("privacy", "user"))
         mock_self = MockSelf("public", self.local_user)
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(len(recipients), 1)
         self.assertEqual(recipients[0], self.remote_user.inbox)
 
-    def test_get_recipients_public_user_object_with_mention(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_public_user_object_with_mention(self, _):
         """ determines the recipients for a user's object broadcast """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("privacy", "user"))
         mock_self = MockSelf("public", self.local_user)
@@ -157,7 +158,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(recipients[0], another_remote_user.inbox)
         self.assertEqual(recipients[1], self.remote_user.inbox)
 
-    def test_get_recipients_direct(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_direct(self, _):
         """ determines the recipients for a user's object broadcast """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("privacy", "user"))
         mock_self = MockSelf("public", self.local_user)
@@ -179,7 +180,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(len(recipients), 1)
         self.assertEqual(recipients[0], another_remote_user.inbox)
 
-    def test_get_recipients_combine_inboxes(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_combine_inboxes(self, _):
         """ should combine users with the same shared_inbox """
         self.remote_user.shared_inbox = "http://example.com/inbox"
         self.remote_user.save(broadcast=False)
@@ -203,7 +204,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(len(recipients), 1)
         self.assertEqual(recipients[0], "http://example.com/inbox")
 
-    def test_get_recipients_software(self):
+    def test_get_recipients_software(self, _):
         """ should differentiate between bookwyrm and other remote users """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.user.set_remote_server.delay"):
             another_remote_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(recipients[0], another_remote_user.inbox)
 
     # ObjectMixin
-    def test_object_save_create(self):
+    def test_object_save_create(self, _):
         """ should save uneventufully when broadcast is disabled """
 
         class Success(Exception):
@@ -264,7 +265,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         ObjectModel(user=self.local_user).save(broadcast=False)
         ObjectModel(user=None).save()
 
-    def test_object_save_update(self):
+    def test_object_save_update(self, _):
         """ should save uneventufully when broadcast is disabled """
 
         class Success(Exception):
@@ -290,7 +291,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         with self.assertRaises(Success):
             UpdateObjectModel(id=1, last_edited_by=self.local_user).save()
 
-    def test_object_save_delete(self):
+    def test_object_save_delete(self, _):
         """ should create delete activities when objects are deleted by flag """
 
         class ActivitySuccess(Exception):
@@ -312,7 +313,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         with self.assertRaises(ActivitySuccess):
             DeletableObjectModel(id=1, user=self.local_user, deleted=True).save()
 
-    def test_to_delete_activity(self):
+    def test_to_delete_activity(self, _):
         """ wrapper for Delete activity """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("remote_id", "to_activity"))
         mock_self = MockSelf(
@@ -327,7 +328,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
             activity["cc"], ["https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"]
         )
 
-    def test_to_update_activity(self):
+    def test_to_update_activity(self, _):
         """ ditto above but for Update """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("remote_id", "to_activity"))
         mock_self = MockSelf(
@@ -345,7 +346,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(activity["object"], dict)
 
     # Activity mixin
-    def test_to_undo_activity(self):
+    def test_to_undo_activity(self, _):
         """ and again, for Undo """
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("remote_id", "to_activity", "user"))
         mock_self = MockSelf(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py
index 4479d1560..25a2e7ee6 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py
@@ -27,18 +27,18 @@ class BaseModel(TestCase):
         expected = instance.get_remote_id()
         self.assertEqual(expected, "https://%s/user/mouse/bookwyrmmodel/1" % DOMAIN)
 
-    def test_execute_after_save(self):
+    def test_set_remote_id(self):
         """ this function sets remote ids after creation """
         # using Work because it BookWrymModel is abstract and this requires save
         # Work is a relatively not-fancy model.
         instance = models.Work.objects.create(title="work title")
         instance.remote_id = None
-        base_model.execute_after_save(None, instance, True)
+        base_model.set_remote_id(None, instance, True)
         self.assertEqual(
             instance.remote_id, "https://%s/book/%d" % (DOMAIN, instance.id)
         )
 
         # shouldn't set remote_id if it's not created
         instance.remote_id = None
-        base_model.execute_after_save(None, instance, False)
+        base_model.set_remote_id(None, instance, False)
         self.assertIsNone(instance.remote_id)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py
index 28faf52c3..18bb028ff 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py
@@ -185,7 +185,8 @@ class ActivitypubFields(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(model_instance.privacy_field, "unlisted")
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.ObjectMixin.broadcast")
-    def test_privacy_field_set_activity_from_field(self, _):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_privacy_field_set_activity_from_field(self, *_):
         """ translate between to/cc fields and privacy """
         user = User.objects.create_user(
             "rat", "rat@rat.rat", "ratword", local=True, localname="rat"
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
index 1dcf56339..54fe7fee9 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from bookwyrm import activitypub, models, settings
 
 # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
 @patch("bookwyrm.models.Status.broadcast")
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
 class Status(TestCase):
     """ lotta types of statuses """
 
@@ -44,14 +45,14 @@ class Status(TestCase):
             image.save(output, format=image.format)
             self.book.cover.save("test.jpg", ContentFile(output.getvalue()))
 
-    def test_status_generated_fields(self, _):
+    def test_status_generated_fields(self, *_):
         """ setting remote id """
         status = models.Status.objects.create(content="bleh", user=self.local_user)
         expected_id = "https://%s/user/mouse/status/%d" % (settings.DOMAIN, status.id)
         self.assertEqual(status.remote_id, expected_id)
         self.assertEqual(status.privacy, "public")
 
-    def test_replies(self, _):
+    def test_replies(self, *_):
         """ get a list of replies """
         parent = models.Status.objects.create(content="hi", user=self.local_user)
         child = models.Status.objects.create(
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         # should select subclasses
         self.assertIsInstance(replies.last(), models.Review)
 
-    def test_status_type(self, _):
+    def test_status_type(self, *_):
         """ class name """
         self.assertEqual(models.Status().status_type, "Note")
         self.assertEqual(models.Review().status_type, "Review")
@@ -78,14 +79,14 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(models.Comment().status_type, "Comment")
         self.assertEqual(models.Boost().status_type, "Announce")
 
-    def test_boostable(self, _):
+    def test_boostable(self, *_):
         """ can a status be boosted, based on privacy """
         self.assertTrue(models.Status(privacy="public").boostable)
         self.assertTrue(models.Status(privacy="unlisted").boostable)
         self.assertFalse(models.Status(privacy="followers").boostable)
         self.assertFalse(models.Status(privacy="direct").boostable)
 
-    def test_to_replies(self, _):
+    def test_to_replies(self, *_):
         """ activitypub replies collection """
         parent = models.Status.objects.create(content="hi", user=self.local_user)
         child = models.Status.objects.create(
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(replies["id"], "%s/replies" % parent.remote_id)
         self.assertEqual(replies["totalItems"], 2)
 
-    def test_status_to_activity(self, _):
+    def test_status_to_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Status.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user
@@ -113,20 +114,21 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["content"], "test content")
         self.assertEqual(activity["sensitive"], False)
 
-    def test_status_to_activity_tombstone(self, _):
+    def test_status_to_activity_tombstone(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
-        status = models.Status.objects.create(
-            content="test content",
-            user=self.local_user,
-            deleted=True,
-            deleted_date=timezone.now(),
-        )
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"):
+            status = models.Status.objects.create(
+                content="test content",
+                user=self.local_user,
+                deleted=True,
+                deleted_date=timezone.now(),
+            )
         activity = status.to_activity()
         self.assertEqual(activity["id"], status.remote_id)
         self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Tombstone")
         self.assertFalse(hasattr(activity, "content"))
 
-    def test_status_to_pure_activity(self, _):
+    def test_status_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Status.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["sensitive"], False)
         self.assertEqual(activity["attachment"], [])
 
-    def test_generated_note_to_activity(self, _):
+    def test_generated_note_to_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user
@@ -152,7 +154,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["sensitive"], False)
         self.assertEqual(len(activity["tag"]), 2)
 
-    def test_generated_note_to_pure_activity(self, _):
+    def test_generated_note_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user
@@ -176,7 +178,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         )
         self.assertEqual(activity["attachment"][0].name, "Test Edition")
 
-    def test_comment_to_activity(self, _):
+    def test_comment_to_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Comment.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user, book=self.book
@@ -187,7 +189,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["content"], "test content")
         self.assertEqual(activity["inReplyToBook"], self.book.remote_id)
 
-    def test_comment_to_pure_activity(self, _):
+    def test_comment_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Comment.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user, book=self.book
@@ -207,7 +209,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         )
         self.assertEqual(activity["attachment"][0].name, "Test Edition")
 
-    def test_quotation_to_activity(self, _):
+    def test_quotation_to_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Quotation.objects.create(
             quote="a sickening sense",
@@ -222,7 +224,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["content"], "test content")
         self.assertEqual(activity["inReplyToBook"], self.book.remote_id)
 
-    def test_quotation_to_pure_activity(self, _):
+    def test_quotation_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Quotation.objects.create(
             quote="a sickening sense",
@@ -245,7 +247,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         )
         self.assertEqual(activity["attachment"][0].name, "Test Edition")
 
-    def test_review_to_activity(self, _):
+    def test_review_to_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Review.objects.create(
             name="Review name",
@@ -262,7 +264,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["content"], "test content")
         self.assertEqual(activity["inReplyToBook"], self.book.remote_id)
 
-    def test_review_to_pure_activity(self, _):
+    def test_review_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
         """ subclass of the base model version with a "pure" serializer """
         status = models.Review.objects.create(
             name="Review name",
@@ -285,7 +287,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         )
         self.assertEqual(activity["attachment"][0].name, "Test Edition")
 
-    def test_favorite(self, _):
+    def test_favorite(self, *_):
         """ fav a status """
         real_broadcast = models.Favorite.broadcast
 
@@ -311,7 +313,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["object"], status.remote_id)
         models.Favorite.broadcast = real_broadcast
 
-    def test_boost(self, _):
+    def test_boost(self, *_):
         """ boosting, this one's a bit fussy """
         status = models.Status.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user
@@ -323,7 +325,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Announce")
         self.assertEqual(activity, boost.to_activity(pure=True))
 
-    def test_notification(self, _):
+    def test_notification(self, *_):
         """ a simple model """
         notification = models.Notification.objects.create(
             user=self.local_user, notification_type="FAVORITE"
@@ -335,7 +337,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
                 user=self.local_user, notification_type="GLORB"
             )
 
-    def test_create_broadcast(self, broadcast_mock):
+    def test_create_broadcast(self, _, broadcast_mock):
         """ should send out two verions of a status on create """
         models.Comment.objects.create(
             content="hi", user=self.local_user, book=self.book
@@ -355,7 +357,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(args["type"], "Create")
         self.assertEqual(args["object"]["type"], "Comment")
 
-    def test_recipients_with_mentions(self, _):
+    def test_recipients_with_mentions(self, *_):
         """ get recipients to broadcast a status """
         status = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.local_user
@@ -364,7 +366,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(status.recipients, [self.remote_user])
 
-    def test_recipients_with_reply_parent(self, _):
+    def test_recipients_with_reply_parent(self, *_):
         """ get recipients to broadcast a status """
         parent_status = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.remote_user
@@ -375,7 +377,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(status.recipients, [self.remote_user])
 
-    def test_recipients_with_reply_parent_and_mentions(self, _):
+    def test_recipients_with_reply_parent_and_mentions(self, *_):
         """ get recipients to broadcast a status """
         parent_status = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
             content="test content", user=self.remote_user
@@ -388,7 +390,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(status.recipients, [self.remote_user])
 
     @responses.activate
-    def test_ignore_activity_boost(self, _):
+    def test_ignore_activity_boost(self, *_):
         """ don't bother with most remote statuses """
         activity = activitypub.Announce(
             id="http://www.faraway.com/boost/12",
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/test_activitystreams.py b/bookwyrm/tests/test_activitystreams.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7a3d4eb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/test_activitystreams.py
@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+""" testing activitystreams """
+from unittest.mock import patch
+from django.test import TestCase
+from bookwyrm import activitystreams, models
+
+
+@patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+class Activitystreams(TestCase):
+    """ using redis to build activity streams """
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        """ use a test csv """
+        self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+            "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "password", local=True, localname="mouse"
+        )
+        self.another_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+            "nutria", "nutria@nutria.nutria", "password", local=True, localname="nutria"
+        )
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.user.set_remote_server.delay"):
+            self.remote_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+                "rat",
+                "rat@rat.com",
+                "ratword",
+                local=False,
+                remote_id="https://example.com/users/rat",
+                inbox="https://example.com/users/rat/inbox",
+                outbox="https://example.com/users/rat/outbox",
+            )
+        self.book = models.Edition.objects.create(title="test book")
+
+        class TestStream(activitystreams.ActivityStream):
+            """ test stream, don't have to do anything here  """
+
+            key = "test"
+
+        self.test_stream = TestStream()
+
+    def test_activitystream_class_ids(self, *_):
+        """ the abstract base class for stream objects """
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.test_stream.stream_id(self.local_user),
+            "{}-test".format(self.local_user.id),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            self.test_stream.unread_id(self.local_user),
+            "{}-test-unread".format(self.local_user.id),
+        )
+
+    def test_abstractstream_stream_users(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        # remote users don't have feeds
+        self.assertFalse(self.remote_user in users)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertTrue(self.another_user in users)
+
+    def test_abstractstream_stream_users_direct(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user,
+            content="hi",
+            privacy="direct",
+        )
+        status.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        self.assertIsNone(users)
+
+        status = models.Comment.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user,
+            content="hi",
+            privacy="direct",
+            book=self.book,
+        )
+        status.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.another_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.remote_user in users)
+
+    def test_abstractstream_stream_users_followers_remote_user(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user,
+            content="hi",
+            privacy="followers",
+        )
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        self.assertFalse(users.exists())
+
+    def test_abstractstream_stream_users_followers_self(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Comment.objects.create(
+            user=self.local_user,
+            content="hi",
+            privacy="direct",
+            book=self.book,
+        )
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.another_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.remote_user in users)
+
+    def test_abstractstream_stream_users_followers_with_mention(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Comment.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user,
+            content="hi",
+            privacy="direct",
+            book=self.book,
+        )
+        status.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
+
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.another_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.remote_user in users)
+
+    def test_abstractstream_stream_users_followers_with_relationship(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        self.remote_user.followers.add(self.local_user)
+        status = models.Comment.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user,
+            content="hi",
+            privacy="direct",
+            book=self.book,
+        )
+        users = self.test_stream.stream_users(status)
+        self.assertFalse(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.another_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.remote_user in users)
+
+    def test_homestream_stream_users(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.HomeStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertFalse(users.exists())
+
+    def test_homestream_stream_users_with_mentions(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        status.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
+        users = activitystreams.HomeStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertFalse(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.another_user in users)
+
+    def test_homestream_stream_users_with_relationship(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        self.remote_user.followers.add(self.local_user)
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.HomeStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertFalse(self.another_user in users)
+
+    def test_localstream_stream_users_remote_status(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.LocalStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertIsNone(users)
+
+    def test_localstream_stream_users_local_status(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.local_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.LocalStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertTrue(self.another_user in users)
+
+    def test_localstream_stream_users_unlisted(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.local_user, content="hi", privacy="unlisted"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.LocalStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertIsNone(users)
+
+    def test_federatedstream_stream_users(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="public"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.FederatedStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertTrue(self.local_user in users)
+        self.assertTrue(self.another_user in users)
+
+    def test_federatedstream_stream_users_unlisted(self, *_):
+        """ get a list of users that should see a status """
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(
+            user=self.remote_user, content="hi", privacy="unlisted"
+        )
+        users = activitystreams.FederatedStream().stream_users(status)
+        self.assertIsNone(users)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/test_goodreads_import.py b/bookwyrm/tests/test_goodreads_import.py
index a62cfdd28..c06b49fc3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/test_goodreads_import.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/test_goodreads_import.py
@@ -203,7 +203,8 @@ class GoodreadsImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date.month, 10)
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date.day, 25)
 
-    def test_handle_imported_book_review(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_imported_book_review(self, _):
         """ goodreads review import """
         import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
         datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("data/goodreads.csv")
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/test_librarything_import.py b/bookwyrm/tests/test_librarything_import.py
index a8e4cfe4f..54b8b4226 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/test_librarything_import.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/test_librarything_import.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 """ testing import """
-from collections import namedtuple
 import csv
 import pathlib
 from unittest.mock import patch
@@ -16,8 +15,8 @@ class LibrarythingImport(TestCase):
     """ importing from librarything tsv """
 
     def setUp(self):
-        self.importer = LibrarythingImporter()
         """ use a test tsv """
+        self.importer = LibrarythingImporter()
         datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("data/librarything.tsv")
 
         # Librarything generates latin encoded exports...
@@ -200,7 +199,8 @@ class LibrarythingImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date.month, 5)
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date.day, 8)
 
-    def test_handle_imported_book_review(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_imported_book_review(self, _):
         """ librarything review import """
         import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
         datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("data/librarything.tsv")
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/test_templatetags.py b/bookwyrm/tests/test_templatetags.py
index 6bdbd04c0..61136c2eb 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/test_templatetags.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/test_templatetags.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from bookwyrm import models
 from bookwyrm.templatetags import bookwyrm_tags
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
 class TemplateTags(TestCase):
     """ lotta different things here """
 
@@ -32,34 +33,34 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
             )
         self.book = models.Edition.objects.create(title="Test Book")
 
-    def test_dict_key(self):
+    def test_dict_key(self, _):
         """ just getting a value out of a dict """
         test_dict = {"a": 1, "b": 3}
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.dict_key(test_dict, "a"), 1)
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.dict_key(test_dict, "c"), 0)
 
-    def test_get_user_rating(self):
+    def test_get_user_rating(self, _):
         """ get a user's most recent rating of a book """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             models.Review.objects.create(user=self.user, book=self.book, rating=3)
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.get_user_rating(self.book, self.user), 3)
 
-    def test_get_user_rating_doesnt_exist(self):
+    def test_get_user_rating_doesnt_exist(self, _):
         """ there is no rating available """
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.get_user_rating(self.book, self.user), 0)
 
-    def test_get_user_identifer_local(self):
+    def test_get_user_identifer_local(self, _):
         """ fall back to the simplest uid available """
         self.assertNotEqual(self.user.username, self.user.localname)
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.get_user_identifier(self.user), "mouse")
 
-    def test_get_user_identifer_remote(self):
+    def test_get_user_identifer_remote(self, _):
         """ for a remote user, should be their full username """
         self.assertEqual(
             bookwyrm_tags.get_user_identifier(self.remote_user), "rat@example.com"
         )
 
-    def test_get_notification_count(self):
+    def test_get_notification_count(self, _):
         """ just countin' """
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.get_notification_count(self.user), 0)
 
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.get_notification_count(self.user), 2)
 
-    def test_get_replies(self):
+    def test_get_replies(self, _):
         """ direct replies to a status """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             parent = models.Review.objects.create(
@@ -84,12 +85,13 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
             second_child = models.Status.objects.create(
                 reply_parent=parent, user=self.user, content="hi"
             )
-            third_child = models.Status.objects.create(
-                reply_parent=parent,
-                user=self.user,
-                deleted=True,
-                deleted_date=timezone.now(),
-            )
+            with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"):
+                third_child = models.Status.objects.create(
+                    reply_parent=parent,
+                    user=self.user,
+                    deleted=True,
+                    deleted_date=timezone.now(),
+                )
 
         replies = bookwyrm_tags.get_replies(parent)
         self.assertEqual(len(replies), 2)
@@ -97,7 +99,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(second_child in replies)
         self.assertFalse(third_child in replies)
 
-    def test_get_parent(self):
+    def test_get_parent(self, _):
         """ get the reply parent of a status """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             parent = models.Review.objects.create(
@@ -111,7 +113,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result, parent)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, models.Review)
 
-    def test_get_user_liked(self):
+    def test_get_user_liked(self, _):
         """ did a user like a status """
         status = models.Review.objects.create(user=self.remote_user, book=self.book)
 
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
             models.Favorite.objects.create(user=self.user, status=status)
         self.assertTrue(bookwyrm_tags.get_user_liked(self.user, status))
 
-    def test_get_user_boosted(self):
+    def test_get_user_boosted(self, _):
         """ did a user boost a status """
         status = models.Review.objects.create(user=self.remote_user, book=self.book)
 
@@ -129,7 +131,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
             models.Boost.objects.create(user=self.user, boosted_status=status)
         self.assertTrue(bookwyrm_tags.get_user_boosted(self.user, status))
 
-    def test_follow_request_exists(self):
+    def test_follow_request_exists(self, _):
         """ does a user want to follow """
         self.assertFalse(
             bookwyrm_tags.follow_request_exists(self.user, self.remote_user)
@@ -147,7 +149,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
             bookwyrm_tags.follow_request_exists(self.remote_user, self.user)
         )
 
-    def test_get_boosted(self):
+    def test_get_boosted(self, _):
         """ load a boosted status """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             status = models.Review.objects.create(user=self.remote_user, book=self.book)
@@ -156,7 +158,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(boosted, models.Review)
         self.assertEqual(boosted, status)
 
-    def test_get_book_description(self):
+    def test_get_book_description(self, _):
         """ grab it from the edition or the parent """
         work = models.Work.objects.create(title="Test Work")
         self.book.parent_work = work
@@ -172,12 +174,12 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
         self.book.save()
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.get_book_description(self.book), "hello")
 
-    def test_get_uuid(self):
+    def test_get_uuid(self, _):
         """ uuid functionality """
         uuid = bookwyrm_tags.get_uuid("hi")
         self.assertTrue(re.match(r"hi[A-Za-z0-9\-]", uuid))
 
-    def test_time_since(self):
+    def test_time_since(self, _):
         """ ultraconcise timestamps """
         self.assertEqual(bookwyrm_tags.time_since("bleh"), "")
 
@@ -207,7 +209,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
             re.match(r"[A-Z][a-z]{2} \d?\d \d{4}", bookwyrm_tags.time_since(years_ago))
         )
 
-    def test_get_markdown(self):
+    def test_get_markdown(self, _):
         """ mardown format data """
         result = bookwyrm_tags.get_markdown("_hi_")
         self.assertEqual(result, "<p><em>hi</em></p>")
@@ -215,13 +217,13 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
         result = bookwyrm_tags.get_markdown("<marquee>_hi_</marquee>")
         self.assertEqual(result, "<p><em>hi</em></p>")
 
-    def test_get_mentions(self):
+    def test_get_mentions(self, _):
         """ list of people mentioned """
         status = models.Status.objects.create(content="hi", user=self.remote_user)
         result = bookwyrm_tags.get_mentions(status, self.user)
         self.assertEqual(result, "@rat@example.com ")
 
-    def test_get_status_preview_name(self):
+    def test_get_status_preview_name(self, _):
         """ status context string """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(content="hi", user=self.user)
@@ -246,7 +248,7 @@ class TemplateTags(TestCase):
         result = bookwyrm_tags.get_status_preview_name(status)
         self.assertEqual(result, "quotation from <em>Test Book</em>")
 
-    def test_related_status(self):
+    def test_related_status(self, _):
         """ gets the subclass model for a notification status """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(content="hi", user=self.user)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_block.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_block.py
index 60920e38b..71583d708 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_block.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_block.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from bookwyrm import models, views
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
 class BlockViews(TestCase):
     """ view user and edit profile """
 
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ class BlockViews(TestCase):
             )
         models.SiteSettings.objects.create()
 
-    def test_block_get(self):
+    def test_block_get(self, _):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.Block.as_view()
         request = self.factory.get("")
@@ -42,20 +43,19 @@ class BlockViews(TestCase):
         result.render()
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_block_post(self):
+    def test_block_post(self, _):
         """ create a "block" database entry from an activity """
         view = views.Block.as_view()
         self.local_user.followers.add(self.remote_user)
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            models.UserFollowRequest.objects.create(
-                user_subject=self.local_user, user_object=self.remote_user
-            )
+        models.UserFollowRequest.objects.create(
+            user_subject=self.local_user, user_object=self.remote_user
+        )
         self.assertTrue(models.UserFollows.objects.exists())
         self.assertTrue(models.UserFollowRequest.objects.exists())
 
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_user_statuses"):
             view(request, self.remote_user.id)
         block = models.UserBlocks.objects.get()
         self.assertEqual(block.user_subject, self.local_user)
@@ -64,13 +64,13 @@ class BlockViews(TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(models.UserFollows.objects.exists())
         self.assertFalse(models.UserFollowRequest.objects.exists())
 
-    def test_unblock(self):
+    def test_unblock(self, _):
         """ undo a block """
         self.local_user.blocks.add(self.remote_user)
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
 
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_user_statuses"):
             views.block.unblock(request, self.remote_user.id)
 
         self.assertFalse(models.UserBlocks.objects.exists())
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_feed.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_feed.py
index 426684676..1ff995732 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_feed.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_feed.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ from bookwyrm import views
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.get_activity_stream")
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
 class FeedViews(TestCase):
     """ activity feed, statuses, dms """
 
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ class FeedViews(TestCase):
         )
         models.SiteSettings.objects.create()
 
-    def test_feed(self):
+    def test_feed(self, *_):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.Feed.as_view()
         request = self.factory.get("")
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ class FeedViews(TestCase):
         result.render()
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_status_page(self):
+    def test_status_page(self, *_):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.Status.as_view()
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -64,7 +66,7 @@ class FeedViews(TestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(result, ActivitypubResponse)
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_status_page_with_image(self):
+    def test_status_page_with_image(self, *_):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.Status.as_view()
 
@@ -100,7 +102,7 @@ class FeedViews(TestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(result, ActivitypubResponse)
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_replies_page(self):
+    def test_replies_page(self, *_):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.Replies.as_view()
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ class FeedViews(TestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(result, ActivitypubResponse)
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_direct_messages_page(self):
+    def test_direct_messages_page(self, *_):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.DirectMessage.as_view()
         request = self.factory.get("")
@@ -130,7 +132,7 @@ class FeedViews(TestCase):
         result.render()
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
 
-    def test_get_suggested_book(self):
+    def test_get_suggested_book(self, *_):
         """ gets books the ~*~ algorithm ~*~ thinks you want to post about """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             models.ShelfBook.objects.create(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py
index 990bb5c2b..cbe4fe015 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_goal.py
@@ -102,7 +102,8 @@ class GoalViews(TestCase):
         result = view(request, self.local_user.localname, 2020)
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 404)
 
-    def test_create_goal(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_create_goal(self, _):
         """ create a new goal """
         view = views.Goal.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py
index bb4cf69c4..4fd7ce66d 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py
@@ -80,113 +80,6 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
         request.headers = {"Accept": "Praise"}
         self.assertFalse(views.helpers.is_api_request(request))
 
-    def test_get_activity_feed(self):
-        """ loads statuses """
-        rat = models.User.objects.create_user(
-            "rat", "rat@rat.rat", "password", local=True
-        )
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            public_status = models.Comment.objects.create(
-                content="public status", book=self.book, user=self.local_user
-            )
-            direct_status = models.Status.objects.create(
-                content="direct", user=self.local_user, privacy="direct"
-            )
-
-            rat_public = models.Status.objects.create(content="blah blah", user=rat)
-            rat_unlisted = models.Status.objects.create(
-                content="blah blah", user=rat, privacy="unlisted"
-            )
-            remote_status = models.Status.objects.create(
-                content="blah blah", user=self.remote_user
-            )
-            followers_status = models.Status.objects.create(
-                content="blah", user=rat, privacy="followers"
-            )
-            rat_mention = models.Status.objects.create(
-                content="blah blah blah", user=rat, privacy="followers"
-            )
-            rat_mention.mention_users.set([self.local_user])
-
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(
-            self.local_user,
-            privacy=["public", "unlisted", "followers"],
-            following_only=True,
-            queryset=models.Comment.objects,
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], public_status)
-
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(
-            self.local_user, privacy=["public", "followers"], local_only=True
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 2)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[1], public_status)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], rat_public)
-
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(self.local_user, privacy=["direct"])
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], direct_status)
-
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(
-            self.local_user,
-            privacy=["public", "followers"],
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 3)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[2], public_status)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[1], rat_public)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], remote_status)
-
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(
-            self.local_user,
-            privacy=["public", "unlisted", "followers"],
-            following_only=True,
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 2)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[1], public_status)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], rat_mention)
-
-        rat.followers.add(self.local_user)
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(
-            self.local_user,
-            privacy=["public", "unlisted", "followers"],
-            following_only=True,
-        )
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 5)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[4], public_status)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[3], rat_public)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[2], rat_unlisted)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[1], followers_status)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], rat_mention)
-
-    def test_get_activity_feed_blocks(self):
-        """ feed generation with blocked users """
-        rat = models.User.objects.create_user(
-            "rat", "rat@rat.rat", "password", local=True
-        )
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            public_status = models.Comment.objects.create(
-                content="public status", book=self.book, user=self.local_user
-            )
-            rat_public = models.Status.objects.create(content="blah blah", user=rat)
-
-            statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(
-                self.local_user, privacy=["public"]
-            )
-            self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 2)
-
-        # block relationship
-        rat.blocks.add(self.local_user)
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(self.local_user, privacy=["public"])
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], public_status)
-
-        statuses = views.helpers.get_activity_feed(rat, privacy=["public"])
-        self.assertEqual(len(statuses), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(statuses[0], rat_public)
-
     def test_is_bookwyrm_request(self):
         """ checks if a request came from a bookwyrm instance """
         request = self.factory.get("", {"q": "Test Book"})
@@ -241,7 +134,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
             self.assertIsInstance(result, models.User)
             self.assertEqual(result.username, "mouse@example.com")
 
-    def test_handle_reading_status_to_read(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_reading_status_to_read(self, _):
         """ posts shelve activities """
         shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="to-read")
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -253,7 +147,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(status.mention_books.first(), self.book)
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "wants to read")
 
-    def test_handle_reading_status_reading(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_reading_status_reading(self, _):
         """ posts shelve activities """
         shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="reading")
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -265,7 +160,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(status.mention_books.first(), self.book)
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "started reading")
 
-    def test_handle_reading_status_read(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_reading_status_read(self, _):
         """ posts shelve activities """
         shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="read")
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -277,7 +173,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(status.mention_books.first(), self.book)
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "finished reading")
 
-    def test_handle_reading_status_other(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_reading_status_other(self, _):
         """ posts shelve activities """
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
             views.helpers.handle_reading_status(
@@ -285,7 +182,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
             )
         self.assertFalse(models.GeneratedNote.objects.exists())
 
-    def test_object_visible_to_user(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_object_visible_to_user(self, _):
         """ does a user have permission to view an object """
         obj = models.Status.objects.create(
             content="hi", user=self.remote_user, privacy="public"
@@ -313,7 +211,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
         obj.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
         self.assertTrue(views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
 
-    def test_object_visible_to_user_follower(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_object_visible_to_user_follower(self, _):
         """ what you can see if you follow a user """
         self.remote_user.followers.add(self.local_user)
         obj = models.Status.objects.create(
@@ -332,7 +231,8 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
         obj.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
         self.assertTrue(views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
 
-    def test_object_visible_to_user_blocked(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_object_visible_to_user_blocked(self, _):
         """ you can't see it if they block you """
         self.remote_user.blocks.add(self.local_user)
         obj = models.Status.objects.create(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py
index 10f55f89b..7d08a1e49 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py
@@ -38,11 +38,12 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
                 outbox="https://example.com/users/rat/outbox",
             )
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            self.status = models.Status.objects.create(
-                user=self.local_user,
-                content="Test status",
-                remote_id="https://example.com/status/1",
-            )
+            with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
+                self.status = models.Status.objects.create(
+                    user=self.local_user,
+                    content="Test status",
+                    remote_id="https://example.com/status/1",
+                )
 
         self.create_json = {
             "id": "hi",
@@ -139,7 +140,9 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
         activity = self.create_json
         activity["object"] = status_data
 
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
 
         status = models.Quotation.objects.get()
         self.assertEqual(
@@ -166,7 +169,9 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
         activity = self.create_json
         activity["object"] = status_data
 
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         status = models.Status.objects.last()
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "test content in note")
         self.assertEqual(status.mention_users.first(), self.local_user)
@@ -187,7 +192,9 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
         activity = self.create_json
         activity["object"] = status_data
 
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         status = models.Status.objects.last()
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "test content in note")
         self.assertEqual(status.reply_parent, self.status)
@@ -218,7 +225,7 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(book_list.description, "summary text")
         self.assertEqual(book_list.remote_id, "https://example.com/list/22")
 
-    def test_handle_follow_x(self):
+    def test_handle_follow(self):
         """ remote user wants to follow local user """
         activity = {
             "@context": "https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams",
@@ -436,7 +443,11 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
             "actor": self.remote_user.remote_id,
             "object": {"id": self.status.remote_id, "type": "Tombstone"},
         }
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"
+        ) as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         # deletion doens't remove the status, it turns it into a tombstone
         status = models.Status.objects.get()
         self.assertTrue(status.deleted)
@@ -465,7 +476,11 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
             "actor": self.remote_user.remote_id,
             "object": {"id": self.status.remote_id, "type": "Tombstone"},
         }
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"
+        ) as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         # deletion doens't remove the status, it turns it into a tombstone
         status = models.Status.objects.get()
         self.assertTrue(status.deleted)
@@ -535,7 +550,8 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
         views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
         self.assertEqual(models.Favorite.objects.count(), 0)
 
-    def test_handle_boost(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
+    def test_handle_boost(self, _):
         """ boost a status """
         self.assertEqual(models.Notification.objects.count(), 0)
         activity = {
@@ -560,7 +576,8 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
             content="hi",
             user=self.remote_user,
         )
-        status.save(broadcast=False)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
+            status.save(broadcast=False)
         activity = {
             "type": "Announce",
             "id": "http://www.faraway.com/boost/12",
@@ -575,9 +592,10 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
 
     def test_handle_unboost(self):
         """ undo a boost """
-        boost = models.Boost.objects.create(
-            boosted_status=self.status, user=self.remote_user
-        )
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
+            boost = models.Boost.objects.create(
+                boosted_status=self.status, user=self.remote_user
+            )
         activity = {
             "type": "Undo",
             "actor": "hi",
@@ -591,7 +609,11 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
                 "object": self.status.remote_id,
             },
         }
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"
+        ) as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
 
     def test_handle_unboost_unknown_boost(self):
         """ undo a boost """
@@ -863,6 +885,11 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
             "object": "https://example.com/user/mouse",
         }
 
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_user_statuses"
+        ) as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
         block = models.UserBlocks.objects.get()
         self.assertEqual(block.user_subject, self.remote_user)
@@ -896,5 +923,9 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
                 "object": "https://example.com/user/mouse",
             },
         }
-        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_user_statuses"
+        ) as redis_mock:
+            views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         self.assertFalse(models.UserBlocks.objects.exists())
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_interaction.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_interaction.py
index 857f7061f..40152c0fb 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_interaction.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_interaction.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from bookwyrm import models, views
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
 class InteractionViews(TestCase):
     """ viewing and creating statuses """
 
@@ -38,12 +39,12 @@ class InteractionViews(TestCase):
             parent_work=work,
         )
 
-    def test_handle_favorite(self):
+    def test_handle_favorite(self, _):
         """ create and broadcast faving a status """
         view = views.Favorite.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.remote_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
 
             view(request, status.id)
@@ -56,12 +57,12 @@ class InteractionViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(notification.user, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(notification.related_user, self.remote_user)
 
-    def test_handle_unfavorite(self):
+    def test_handle_unfavorite(self, _):
         """ unfav a status """
         view = views.Unfavorite.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.remote_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
             views.Favorite.as_view()(request, status.id)
 
@@ -73,12 +74,12 @@ class InteractionViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(models.Favorite.objects.count(), 0)
         self.assertEqual(models.Notification.objects.count(), 0)
 
-    def test_handle_boost(self):
+    def test_handle_boost(self, _):
         """ boost a status """
         view = views.Boost.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.remote_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
 
             view(request, status.id)
@@ -94,12 +95,12 @@ class InteractionViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(notification.related_user, self.remote_user)
         self.assertEqual(notification.related_status, status)
 
-    def test_handle_boost_unlisted(self):
+    def test_handle_boost_unlisted(self, _):
         """ boost a status """
         view = views.Boost.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(
                 user=self.local_user, content="hi", privacy="unlisted"
             )
@@ -109,12 +110,12 @@ class InteractionViews(TestCase):
         boost = models.Boost.objects.get()
         self.assertEqual(boost.privacy, "unlisted")
 
-    def test_handle_boost_private(self):
+    def test_handle_boost_private(self, _):
         """ boost a status """
         view = views.Boost.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(
                 user=self.local_user, content="hi", privacy="followers"
             )
@@ -122,31 +123,35 @@ class InteractionViews(TestCase):
             view(request, status.id)
         self.assertFalse(models.Boost.objects.exists())
 
-    def test_handle_boost_twice(self):
+    def test_handle_boost_twice(self, _):
         """ boost a status """
         view = views.Boost.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
 
             view(request, status.id)
             view(request, status.id)
         self.assertEqual(models.Boost.objects.count(), 1)
 
-    def test_handle_unboost(self):
+    def test_handle_unboost(self, broadcast_mock):
         """ undo a boost """
         view = views.Unboost.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
             views.Boost.as_view()(request, status.id)
 
         self.assertEqual(models.Boost.objects.count(), 1)
         self.assertEqual(models.Notification.objects.count(), 1)
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay") as mock:
+        broadcast_mock.call_count = 0
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"
+        ) as redis_mock:
             view(request, status.id)
-            self.assertEqual(mock.call_count, 1)
+            self.assertEqual(broadcast_mock.call_count, 1)
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         self.assertEqual(models.Boost.objects.count(), 0)
         self.assertEqual(models.Notification.objects.count(), 0)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_isbn.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_isbn.py
index c7ae1f39f..7f03a6109 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_isbn.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_isbn.py
@@ -3,12 +3,10 @@ import json
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from django.http import JsonResponse
-from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 
 from bookwyrm import models, views
-from bookwyrm.connectors import abstract_connector
 from bookwyrm.settings import DOMAIN
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_landing.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_landing.py
index 910e4a851..2513fecc9 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_landing.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_landing.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
+from unittest.mock import patch
 from django.contrib.auth.models import AnonymousUser
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
@@ -30,7 +31,8 @@ class LandingViews(TestCase):
         view = views.Home.as_view()
         request = self.factory.get("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        result = view(request)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.get_activity_stream"):
+            result = view(request)
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
         result.render()
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_outbox.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_outbox.py
index 5934eb7c7..0bcfde693 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_outbox.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_outbox.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from bookwyrm.settings import USER_AGENT
 
 
 # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
+@patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
 class OutboxView(TestCase):
     """ sends out activities """
 
@@ -32,19 +33,19 @@ class OutboxView(TestCase):
             parent_work=work,
         )
 
-    def test_outbox(self):
+    def test_outbox(self, _):
         """ returns user's statuses """
         request = self.factory.get("")
         result = views.Outbox.as_view()(request, "mouse")
         self.assertIsInstance(result, JsonResponse)
 
-    def test_outbox_bad_method(self):
+    def test_outbox_bad_method(self, _):
         """ can't POST to outbox """
         request = self.factory.post("")
         result = views.Outbox.as_view()(request, "mouse")
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 405)
 
-    def test_outbox_unknown_user(self):
+    def test_outbox_unknown_user(self, _):
         """ should 404 for unknown and remote users """
         request = self.factory.post("")
         result = views.Outbox.as_view()(request, "beepboop")
@@ -52,9 +53,9 @@ class OutboxView(TestCase):
         result = views.Outbox.as_view()(request, "rat")
         self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 405)
 
-    def test_outbox_privacy(self):
+    def test_outbox_privacy(self, _):
         """ don't show dms et cetera in outbox """
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             models.Status.objects.create(
                 content="PRIVATE!!", user=self.local_user, privacy="direct"
             )
@@ -75,9 +76,9 @@ class OutboxView(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(data["type"], "OrderedCollection")
         self.assertEqual(data["totalItems"], 2)
 
-    def test_outbox_filter(self):
+    def test_outbox_filter(self, _):
         """ if we only care about reviews, only get reviews """
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             models.Review.objects.create(
                 content="look at this",
                 name="hi",
@@ -101,9 +102,9 @@ class OutboxView(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(data["type"], "OrderedCollection")
         self.assertEqual(data["totalItems"], 1)
 
-    def test_outbox_bookwyrm_request_true(self):
+    def test_outbox_bookwyrm_request_true(self, _):
         """ should differentiate between bookwyrm and outside requests """
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             models.Review.objects.create(
                 name="hi",
                 content="look at this",
@@ -119,9 +120,9 @@ class OutboxView(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(len(data["orderedItems"]), 1)
         self.assertEqual(data["orderedItems"][0]["type"], "Review")
 
-    def test_outbox_bookwyrm_request_false(self):
+    def test_outbox_bookwyrm_request_false(self, _):
         """ should differentiate between bookwyrm and outside requests """
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             models.Review.objects.create(
                 name="hi",
                 content="look at this",
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py
index 96d1f1f4c..4661e487e 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from django.utils import timezone
 from bookwyrm import models, views
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status")
 class ReadingViews(TestCase):
     """ viewing and creating statuses """
 
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
                 outbox="https://example.com/users/rat/outbox",
             )
 
-    def test_start_reading(self):
+    def test_start_reading(self, _):
         """ begin a book """
         shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="reading")
         self.assertFalse(shelf.books.exists())
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.user, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
 
-    def test_start_reading_reshelf(self):
+    def test_start_reading_reshelf(self, _):
         """ begin a book """
         to_read_shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="to-read")
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(to_read_shelf.books.exists())
         self.assertEqual(shelf.books.get(), self.book)
 
-    def test_finish_reading(self):
+    def test_finish_reading(self, _):
         """ begin a book """
         shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="read")
         self.assertFalse(shelf.books.exists())
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.user, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
 
-    def test_edit_readthrough(self):
+    def test_edit_readthrough(self, _):
         """ adding dates to an ongoing readthrough """
         start = timezone.make_aware(dateutil.parser.parse("2021-01-03"))
         readthrough = models.ReadThrough.objects.create(
@@ -153,7 +154,7 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date.day, 7)
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
 
-    def test_delete_readthrough(self):
+    def test_delete_readthrough(self, _):
         """ remove a readthrough """
         readthrough = models.ReadThrough.objects.create(
             book=self.book, user=self.local_user
@@ -170,7 +171,7 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
         views.delete_readthrough(request)
         self.assertFalse(models.ReadThrough.objects.filter(id=readthrough.id).exists())
 
-    def test_create_readthrough(self):
+    def test_create_readthrough(self, _):
         """ adding new read dates """
         request = self.factory.post(
             "",
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_rss_feed.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_rss_feed.py
index c7fef2a94..0230b4a96 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_rss_feed.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_rss_feed.py
@@ -26,28 +26,30 @@ class RssFeedView(TestCase):
         )
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            self.review = models.Review.objects.create(
-                name="Review name",
-                content="test content",
-                rating=3,
-                user=self.user,
-                book=self.book,
-            )
+            with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
+                self.review = models.Review.objects.create(
+                    name="Review name",
+                    content="test content",
+                    rating=3,
+                    user=self.user,
+                    book=self.book,
+                )
 
-            self.quote = models.Quotation.objects.create(
-                quote="a sickening sense",
-                content="test content",
-                user=self.user,
-                book=self.book,
-            )
+                self.quote = models.Quotation.objects.create(
+                    quote="a sickening sense",
+                    content="test content",
+                    user=self.user,
+                    book=self.book,
+                )
 
-            self.generatednote = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
-                content="test content", user=self.user
-            )
+                self.generatednote = models.GeneratedNote.objects.create(
+                    content="test content", user=self.user
+                )
 
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
 
-    def test_rss_feed(self):
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.get_activity_stream")
+    def test_rss_feed(self, _):
         """ load an rss feed """
         view = rss_feed.RssFeed()
         request = self.factory.get("/user/rss_user/rss")
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_status.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_status.py
index 32080a5a8..5dc0e49a7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_status.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
 from bookwyrm.settings import DOMAIN
 
 
+@patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
 class StatusViews(TestCase):
     """ viewing and creating statuses """
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
             parent_work=work,
         )
 
-    def test_handle_status(self):
+    def test_handle_status(self, _):
         """ create a status """
         view = views.CreateStatus.as_view()
         form = forms.CommentForm(
@@ -53,20 +54,23 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         )
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
             view(request, "comment")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
+
         status = models.Comment.objects.get()
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "<p>hi</p>")
         self.assertEqual(status.user, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(status.book, self.book)
 
-    def test_handle_status_reply(self):
+    def test_handle_status_reply(self, _):
         """ create a status in reply to an existing status """
         view = views.CreateStatus.as_view()
         user = models.User.objects.create_user(
             "rat", "rat@rat.com", "password", local=True
         )
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             parent = models.Status.objects.create(
                 content="parent status", user=self.local_user
             )
@@ -80,14 +84,17 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         )
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
         request.user = user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
             view(request, "reply")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
+
         status = models.Status.objects.get(user=user)
         self.assertEqual(status.content, "<p>hi</p>")
         self.assertEqual(status.user, user)
         self.assertEqual(models.Notification.objects.get().user, self.local_user)
 
-    def test_handle_status_mentions(self):
+    def test_handle_status_mentions(self, _):
         """ @mention a user in a post """
         view = views.CreateStatus.as_view()
         user = models.User.objects.create_user(
@@ -104,8 +111,10 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
         request.user = self.local_user
 
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
             view(request, "comment")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
+
         status = models.Status.objects.get()
         self.assertEqual(list(status.mention_users.all()), [user])
         self.assertEqual(models.Notification.objects.get().user, user)
@@ -113,7 +122,7 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
             status.content, '<p>hi <a href="%s">@rat</a></p>' % user.remote_id
         )
 
-    def test_handle_status_reply_with_mentions(self):
+    def test_handle_status_reply_with_mentions(self, _):
         """ reply to a post with an @mention'ed user """
         view = views.CreateStatus.as_view()
         user = models.User.objects.create_user(
@@ -130,8 +139,9 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
         request.user = self.local_user
 
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
             view(request, "comment")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
         status = models.Status.objects.get()
 
         form = forms.ReplyForm(
@@ -144,8 +154,10 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         )
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
         request.user = user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status") as redis_mock:
             view(request, "reply")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
 
         reply = models.Status.replies(status).first()
         self.assertEqual(reply.content, "<p>right</p>")
@@ -154,7 +166,7 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(self.remote_user in reply.mention_users.all())
         self.assertTrue(self.local_user in reply.mention_users.all())
 
-    def test_find_mentions(self):
+    def test_find_mentions(self, _):
         """ detect and look up @ mentions of users """
         user = models.User.objects.create_user(
             "nutria@%s" % DOMAIN,
@@ -200,7 +212,7 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
             ("@nutria@%s" % DOMAIN, user),
         )
 
-    def test_format_links(self):
+    def test_format_links(self, _):
         """ find and format urls into a tags """
         url = "http://www.fish.com/"
         self.assertEqual(
@@ -223,7 +235,7 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
             "?q=arkady+strugatsky&mode=everything</a>" % url,
         )
 
-    def test_to_markdown(self):
+    def test_to_markdown(self, _):
         """ this is mostly handled in other places, but nonetheless """
         text = "_hi_ and http://fish.com is <marquee>rad</marquee>"
         result = views.status.to_markdown(text)
@@ -232,32 +244,36 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
             '<p><em>hi</em> and <a href="http://fish.com">fish.com</a> ' "is rad</p>",
         )
 
-    def test_to_markdown_link(self):
+    def test_to_markdown_link(self, _):
         """ this is mostly handled in other places, but nonetheless """
         text = "[hi](http://fish.com) is <marquee>rad</marquee>"
         result = views.status.to_markdown(text)
         self.assertEqual(result, '<p><a href="http://fish.com">hi</a> ' "is rad</p>")
 
-    def test_handle_delete_status(self):
+    def test_handle_delete_status(self, mock):
         """ marks a status as deleted """
         view = views.DeleteStatus.as_view()
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
         self.assertFalse(status.deleted)
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.local_user
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay") as mock:
+
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"
+        ) as redis_mock:
             view(request, status.id)
-            activity = json.loads(mock.call_args_list[0][0][1])
-            self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Delete")
-            self.assertEqual(activity["object"]["type"], "Tombstone")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
+        activity = json.loads(mock.call_args_list[1][0][1])
+        self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Delete")
+        self.assertEqual(activity["object"]["type"], "Tombstone")
         status.refresh_from_db()
         self.assertTrue(status.deleted)
 
-    def test_handle_delete_status_permission_denied(self):
+    def test_handle_delete_status_permission_denied(self, _):
         """ marks a status as deleted """
         view = views.DeleteStatus.as_view()
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
         self.assertFalse(status.deleted)
         request = self.factory.post("")
@@ -268,20 +284,23 @@ class StatusViews(TestCase):
         status.refresh_from_db()
         self.assertFalse(status.deleted)
 
-    def test_handle_delete_status_moderator(self):
+    def test_handle_delete_status_moderator(self, mock):
         """ marks a status as deleted """
         view = views.DeleteStatus.as_view()
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.add_status"):
             status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
         self.assertFalse(status.deleted)
         request = self.factory.post("")
         request.user = self.remote_user
         request.user.is_superuser = True
 
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay") as mock:
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.remove_status"
+        ) as redis_mock:
             view(request, status.id)
-            activity = json.loads(mock.call_args_list[0][0][1])
-            self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Delete")
-            self.assertEqual(activity["object"]["type"], "Tombstone")
+            self.assertTrue(redis_mock.called)
+        activity = json.loads(mock.call_args_list[1][0][1])
+        self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Delete")
+        self.assertEqual(activity["object"]["type"], "Tombstone")
         status.refresh_from_db()
         self.assertTrue(status.deleted)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_updates.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_updates.py
index b41b20148..dff730e6d 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_updates.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_updates.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """ test for app action functionality """
 import json
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
 from django.http import JsonResponse
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
@@ -22,21 +24,33 @@ class UpdateViews(TestCase):
         )
         models.SiteSettings.objects.create()
 
-    def test_get_updates(self):
+    def test_get_notification_count(self):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
-        view = views.Updates.as_view()
         request = self.factory.get("")
         request.user = self.local_user
 
-        result = view(request)
+        result = views.get_notification_count(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, JsonResponse)
         data = json.loads(result.getvalue())
-        self.assertEqual(data["notifications"], 0)
+        self.assertEqual(data["count"], 0)
 
         models.Notification.objects.create(
             notification_type="BOOST", user=self.local_user
         )
-        result = view(request)
+        result = views.get_notification_count(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, JsonResponse)
         data = json.loads(result.getvalue())
-        self.assertEqual(data["notifications"], 1)
+        self.assertEqual(data["count"], 1)
+
+    def test_get_unread_status_count(self):
+        """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
+        request = self.factory.get("")
+        request.user = self.local_user
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.ActivityStream.get_unread_count") as mock:
+            mock.return_value = 3
+            result = views.get_unread_status_count(request, "home")
+
+        self.assertIsInstance(result, JsonResponse)
+        data = json.loads(result.getvalue())
+        self.assertEqual(data["count"], 3)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/urls.py b/bookwyrm/urls.py
index 766227999..44db68928 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/urls.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/urls.py
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ urlpatterns = [
     re_path(r"^api/v1/instance/?$", views.instance_info),
     re_path(r"^api/v1/instance/peers/?$", views.peers),
     # polling updates
-    re_path("^api/updates/notifications/?$", views.Updates.as_view()),
+    re_path("^api/updates/notifications/?$", views.get_notification_count),
+    re_path("^api/updates/stream/(?P<stream>[a-z]+)/?$", views.get_unread_status_count),
     # authentication
     re_path(r"^login/?$", views.Login.as_view()),
     re_path(r"^register/?$", views.Register.as_view()),
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/__init__.py b/bookwyrm/views/__init__.py
index f1ebfc4ca..3439304f0 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/__init__.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/__init__.py
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ from .shelf import shelve, unshelve
 from .site import Site
 from .status import CreateStatus, DeleteStatus
 from .tag import Tag, AddTag, RemoveTag
-from .updates import Updates
+from .updates import get_notification_count, get_unread_status_count
 from .user import User, EditUser, Followers, Following
 from .wellknown import webfinger, nodeinfo_pointer, nodeinfo, instance_info, peers
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/books.py b/bookwyrm/views/books.py
index f2aa76d79..cabc3223c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/books.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/books.py
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
 from bookwyrm.connectors import connector_manager
 from bookwyrm.connectors.abstract_connector import get_image
 from bookwyrm.settings import PAGE_LENGTH
-from .helpers import is_api_request, get_activity_feed, get_edition
-from .helpers import privacy_filter
+from .helpers import is_api_request, get_edition, privacy_filter
 
 
 # pylint: disable= no-self-use
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@ class Book(View):
 
         # all reviews for the book
         reviews = models.Review.objects.filter(book__in=work.editions.all())
-        reviews = get_activity_feed(request.user, queryset=reviews)
+        reviews = privacy_filter(request.user, reviews)
 
         # the reviews to show
         paginated = Paginator(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/feed.py b/bookwyrm/views/feed.py
index d08c9a42c..e0de932d2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/feed.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/feed.py
@@ -6,13 +6,12 @@ from django.http import HttpResponseNotFound
 from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
 from django.utils import timezone
 from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
-from django.utils.translation import gettext as _
 from django.views import View
 
-from bookwyrm import forms, models
+from bookwyrm import activitystreams, forms, models
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
-from bookwyrm.settings import PAGE_LENGTH
-from .helpers import get_activity_feed, get_user_from_username
+from bookwyrm.settings import PAGE_LENGTH, STREAMS
+from .helpers import get_user_from_username, privacy_filter
 from .helpers import is_api_request, is_bookwyrm_request, object_visible_to_user
 
 
@@ -28,19 +27,11 @@ class Feed(View):
         except ValueError:
             page = 1
 
-        if tab == "home":
-            activities = get_activity_feed(request.user, following_only=True)
-            tab_title = _("Home")
-        elif tab == "local":
-            activities = get_activity_feed(
-                request.user, privacy=["public", "followers"], local_only=True
-            )
-            tab_title = _("Local")
-        else:
-            activities = get_activity_feed(
-                request.user, privacy=["public", "followers"]
-            )
-            tab_title = _("Federated")
+        if not tab in STREAMS:
+            tab = "home"
+
+        activities = activitystreams.streams[tab].get_activity_stream(request.user)
+
         paginated = Paginator(activities, PAGE_LENGTH)
 
         data = {
@@ -49,7 +40,6 @@ class Feed(View):
                 "user": request.user,
                 "activities": paginated.page(page),
                 "tab": tab,
-                "tab_title": tab_title,
                 "goal_form": forms.GoalForm(),
                 "path": "/%s" % tab,
             },
@@ -68,7 +58,13 @@ class DirectMessage(View):
         except ValueError:
             page = 1
 
-        queryset = models.Status.objects
+        # remove fancy subclasses of status, keep just good ol' notes
+        queryset = models.Status.objects.filter(
+            review__isnull=True,
+            comment__isnull=True,
+            quotation__isnull=True,
+            generatednote__isnull=True,
+        )
 
         user = None
         if username:
@@ -79,9 +75,7 @@ class DirectMessage(View):
         if user:
             queryset = queryset.filter(Q(user=user) | Q(mention_users=user))
 
-        activities = get_activity_feed(
-            request.user, privacy=["direct"], queryset=queryset
-        )
+        activities = privacy_filter(request.user, queryset, privacy_levels=["direct"])
 
         paginated = Paginator(activities, PAGE_LENGTH)
         activity_page = paginated.page(page)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py b/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py
index c62856bab..41822da2c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ def object_visible_to_user(viewer, obj):
 def privacy_filter(viewer, queryset, privacy_levels=None, following_only=False):
     """ filter objects that have "user" and "privacy" fields """
     privacy_levels = privacy_levels or ["public", "unlisted", "followers", "direct"]
+    # if there'd a deleted field, exclude deleted items
+    try:
+        queryset = queryset.filter(deleted=False)
+    except FieldError:
+        pass
 
     # exclude blocks from both directions
     if not viewer.is_anonymous:
@@ -102,54 +107,6 @@ def privacy_filter(viewer, queryset, privacy_levels=None, following_only=False):
     return queryset
 
 
-def get_activity_feed(
-    user, privacy=None, local_only=False, following_only=False, queryset=None
-):
-    """ get a filtered queryset of statuses """
-    if queryset is None:
-        queryset = models.Status.objects.select_subclasses()
-
-    # exclude deleted
-    queryset = queryset.exclude(deleted=True).order_by("-published_date")
-
-    # apply privacy filters
-    queryset = privacy_filter(user, queryset, privacy, following_only=following_only)
-
-    # only show dms if we only want dms
-    if privacy == ["direct"]:
-        # dms are direct statuses not related to books
-        queryset = queryset.filter(
-            review__isnull=True,
-            comment__isnull=True,
-            quotation__isnull=True,
-            generatednote__isnull=True,
-        )
-    else:
-        try:
-            queryset = queryset.exclude(
-                review__isnull=True,
-                comment__isnull=True,
-                quotation__isnull=True,
-                generatednote__isnull=True,
-                privacy="direct",
-            )
-        except FieldError:
-            # if we're looking at a subtype of Status (like Review)
-            pass
-
-    # filter for only local status
-    if local_only:
-        queryset = queryset.filter(user__local=True)
-
-    # remove statuses that have boosts in the same queryset
-    try:
-        queryset = queryset.filter(~Q(boosters__in=queryset))
-    except ValueError:
-        pass
-
-    return queryset
-
-
 def handle_remote_webfinger(query):
     """ webfingerin' other servers """
     user = None
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/rss_feed.py b/bookwyrm/views/rss_feed.py
index 57821af4e..ed3e84f47 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/rss_feed.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/rss_feed.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """ serialize user's posts in rss feed """
 
 from django.contrib.syndication.views import Feed
-from .helpers import get_activity_feed, get_user_from_username
+from .helpers import get_user_from_username, privacy_filter
 
 # pylint: disable=no-self-use, unused-argument
 class RssFeed(Feed):
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@ class RssFeed(Feed):
 
     def items(self, obj):
         """ the user's activity feed """
-        return get_activity_feed(
+        return privacy_filter(
             obj,
-            privacy=["public", "unlisted"],
-            queryset=obj.status_set.select_subclasses(),
+            obj.status_set.select_subclasses(),
+            privacy_levels=["public", "unlisted"],
         )
 
     def item_link(self, item):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/updates.py b/bookwyrm/views/updates.py
index 83b680c0b..cc5fc4199 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/updates.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/updates.py
@@ -1,20 +1,24 @@
 """ endpoints for getting updates about activity """
 from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
 from django.http import JsonResponse
-from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
-from django.views import View
 
-# pylint: disable= no-self-use
-@method_decorator(login_required, name="dispatch")
-class Updates(View):
-    """ so the app can poll """
+from bookwyrm import activitystreams
 
-    def get(self, request):
-        """ any notifications waiting? """
-        return JsonResponse(
-            {
-                "notifications": request.user.notification_set.filter(
-                    read=False
-                ).count(),
-            }
-        )
+
+@login_required
+def get_notification_count(request):
+    """ any notifications waiting? """
+    return JsonResponse(
+        {
+            "count": request.user.notification_set.filter(read=False).count(),
+        }
+    )
+
+
+@login_required
+def get_unread_status_count(request, stream="home"):
+    """ any unread statuses for this feed? """
+    stream = activitystreams.streams.get(stream)
+    if not stream:
+        return JsonResponse({})
+    return JsonResponse({"count": stream.get_unread_count(request.user)})
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/user.py b/bookwyrm/views/user.py
index 690bf158c..b8e3a86d2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/user.py
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ from django.views import View
 from bookwyrm import forms, models
 from bookwyrm.activitypub import ActivitypubResponse
 from bookwyrm.settings import PAGE_LENGTH
-from .helpers import get_activity_feed, get_user_from_username, is_api_request
-from .helpers import is_blocked, object_visible_to_user
+from .helpers import get_user_from_username, is_api_request
+from .helpers import is_blocked, privacy_filter, object_visible_to_user
 
 
 # pylint: disable= no-self-use
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ class User(View):
                 break
 
         # user's posts
-        activities = get_activity_feed(
+        activities = privacy_filter(
             request.user,
-            queryset=user.status_set.select_subclasses(),
+            user.status_set.select_subclasses(),
         )
         paginated = Paginator(activities, PAGE_LENGTH)
         goal = models.AnnualGoal.objects.filter(
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 5d9cbf1be..3ee9037f9 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -31,11 +31,20 @@ services:
     depends_on:
       - db
       - celery_worker
+      - redis_activity
     networks:
       - main
     ports:
       - 8000:8000
-  redis:
+  redis_activity:
+    image: redis
+    env_file: .env
+    ports:
+      - 6378:6378
+    networks:
+      - main
+    restart: on-failure
+  redis_broker:
     image: redis
     env_file: .env
     ports:
@@ -55,7 +64,7 @@ services:
       - media_volume:/app/images
     depends_on:
       - db
-      - redis
+      - redis_broker
     restart: on-failure
   flower:
     build: .
@@ -67,7 +76,7 @@ services:
       - main
     depends_on:
       - db
-      - redis
+      - redis_broker
     restart: on-failure
     ports:
       - 8888:8888