diff --git a/bookwyrm/lists_stream.py b/bookwyrm/lists_stream.py
index 04a0725c..da8cdb21 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/lists_stream.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/lists_stream.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from bookwyrm.tasks import app, MEDIUM, HIGH
 
 
 class ListsStream(RedisStore):
-    """a category of activity stream (like home, local, books)"""
+    """all the lists you can see"""
 
     def stream_id(self, user):  # pylint: disable=no-self-use
         """the redis key for this user's instance of this stream"""
@@ -122,9 +122,7 @@ def add_lists_on_follow(sender, instance, created, *args, **kwargs):
     """add a newly followed user's lists to feeds"""
     if not created or not instance.user_subject.local:
         return
-    add_user_lists_task.delay(
-        instance.user_subject.id, instance.user_object.id, stream_list=["home"]
-    )
+    add_user_lists_task.delay(instance.user_subject.id, instance.user_object.id)
 
 
 @receiver(signals.post_delete, sender=models.UserFollows)
@@ -133,9 +131,7 @@ def remove_lists_on_unfollow(sender, instance, *args, **kwargs):
     """remove lists from a feed on unfollow"""
     if not instance.user_subject.local:
         return
-    remove_user_lists_task.delay(
-        instance.user_subject.id, instance.user_object.id, stream_list=["home"]
-    )
+    remove_user_lists_task.delay(instance.user_subject.id, instance.user_object.id)
 
 
 @receiver(signals.post_save, sender=models.UserBlocks)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
index 91a1fe7c..f1279ddf 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         """shared data"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.com", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["id"], "https://example.com/status/1/activity")
         self.assertEqual(activity["actor"], self.local_user.remote_id)
         self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Delete")
-        self.assertEqual(activity["to"], ["%s/followers" % self.local_user.remote_id])
+        self.assertEqual(activity["to"], [f"{self.local_user.remote_id}/followers"])
         self.assertEqual(
             activity["cc"], ["https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#Public"]
         )
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         for number in range(0, 2 * PAGE_LENGTH):
             models.Status.objects.create(
                 user=self.local_user,
-                content="test status {:d}".format(number),
+                content=f"test status {number}",
             )
         page_1 = to_ordered_collection_page(
             models.Status.objects.all(), "http://fish.com/", page=1
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         for number in range(0, 2 * PAGE_LENGTH):
             models.Status.objects.create(
                 user=self.local_user,
-                content="test status {:d}".format(number),
+                content=f"test status {number}",
             )
 
         MockSelf = namedtuple("Self", ("remote_id"))
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py
index 7c7b48de..ae6d1207 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_base_model.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class BaseModel(TestCase):
         """shared data"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.com", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py
index 8028a305..c3402a25 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_fields.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ from bookwyrm.settings import DOMAIN
 # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
 @patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay")
 @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay")
 class ModelFields(TestCase):
     """overwrites standard model feilds to work with activitypub"""
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_group.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_group.py
index 2dd3cee1..3439a1bf 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_group.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_group.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 from unittest.mock import patch
 from django.test import TestCase
 
-from bookwyrm import models, settings
+from bookwyrm import models
 
 
 @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async")
@@ -14,21 +14,21 @@ class Group(TestCase):
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.owner_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.rat = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "rat", "rat@rat.rat", "ratword", local=True, localname="rat"
             )
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.badger = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "badger",
                 "badger@badger.badger",
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class Group(TestCase):
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.capybara = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "capybara",
                 "capybara@capybara.capybara",
@@ -76,7 +76,8 @@ class Group(TestCase):
         models.GroupMember.objects.create(group=self.public_group, user=self.capybara)
 
     def test_group_members_can_see_private_groups(self, _):
-        """direct privacy group should not be excluded from group listings for group members viewing"""
+        """direct privacy group should not be excluded from group listings for group
+        members viewing"""
 
         rat_groups = models.Group.privacy_filter(self.rat).all()
         badger_groups = models.Group.privacy_filter(self.badger).all()
@@ -85,7 +86,8 @@ class Group(TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(self.private_group in badger_groups)
 
     def test_group_members_can_see_followers_only_lists(self, _):
-        """follower-only group booklists should not be excluded from group booklist listing for group members who do not follower list owner"""
+        """follower-only group booklists should not be excluded from group booklist
+        listing for group members who do not follower list owner"""
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async"):
             followers_list = models.List.objects.create(
@@ -105,7 +107,8 @@ class Group(TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(followers_list in capybara_lists)
 
     def test_group_members_can_see_private_lists(self, _):
-        """private group booklists should not be excluded from group booklist listing for group members"""
+        """private group booklists should not be excluded from group booklist listing
+        for group members"""
 
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async"):
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_import_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_import_model.py
index f48143d0..225466f3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_import_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_import_model.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class ImportJob(TestCase):
         """data is from a goodreads export of The Raven Tower"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "password", local=True
             )
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_list.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_list.py
index 824de835..e4ecfe89 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_list.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_list.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """ testing models """
+from uuid import UUID
 from unittest.mock import patch
 from django.test import TestCase
-from uuid import UUID
 
 from bookwyrm import models, settings
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class List(TestCase):
         """look, a list"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class List(TestCase):
             book_list = models.List.objects.create(
                 name="Test List", user=self.local_user
             )
-        expected_id = "https://%s/list/%d" % (settings.DOMAIN, book_list.id)
+        expected_id = f"https://{settings.DOMAIN}/list/{book_list.id}"
         self.assertEqual(book_list.get_remote_id(), expected_id)
 
     def test_to_activity(self, _):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_readthrough_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_readthrough_model.py
index 5d8450a1..7e3963cf 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_readthrough_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_readthrough_model.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class ReadThrough(TestCase):
         """look, a shelf"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_relationship_models.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_relationship_models.py
index 2b388398..a5b4dbff 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_relationship_models.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_relationship_models.py
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 """ testing models """
 import json
 from unittest.mock import patch
+from django.db import IntegrityError
 from django.test import TestCase
 
 from bookwyrm import models
 
 
 @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_user_statuses_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.remove_user_statuses_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.add_user_lists_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.remove_user_lists_task.delay")
 class Relationship(TestCase):
     """following, blocking, stuff like that"""
 
@@ -24,14 +28,39 @@ class Relationship(TestCase):
             )
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.com", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
         self.local_user.remote_id = "http://local.com/user/mouse"
         self.local_user.save(broadcast=False, update_fields=["remote_id"])
 
-    def test_user_follows_from_request(self, _):
+    def test_user_follows(self, *_):
+        """basic functionality of user follows"""
+        relationship = models.UserFollows.objects.create(
+            user_subject=self.local_user, user_object=self.remote_user
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(relationship.status, "follows")
+        activity = relationship.to_activity()
+        self.assertEqual(activity.type, "Follow")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            relationship.remote_id,
+            f"http://local.com/user/mouse#follows/{relationship.id}",
+        )
+
+    def test_user_follows_blocks(self, *_):
+        """can't follow if you're blocked"""
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async"):
+            models.UserBlocks.objects.create(
+                user_subject=self.local_user, user_object=self.remote_user
+            )
+
+        with self.assertRaises(IntegrityError):
+            models.UserFollows.objects.create(
+                user_subject=self.local_user, user_object=self.remote_user
+            )
+
+    def test_user_follows_from_request(self, *_):
         """convert a follow request into a follow"""
         with patch(
             "bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async"
@@ -42,19 +71,19 @@ class Relationship(TestCase):
         activity = json.loads(mock.call_args[1]["args"][1])
         self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Follow")
         self.assertEqual(
-            request.remote_id, "http://local.com/user/mouse#follows/%d" % request.id
+            request.remote_id, f"http://local.com/user/mouse#follows/{request.id}"
         )
         self.assertEqual(request.status, "follow_request")
 
         rel = models.UserFollows.from_request(request)
         self.assertEqual(
-            rel.remote_id, "http://local.com/user/mouse#follows/%d" % request.id
+            rel.remote_id, f"http://local.com/user/mouse#follows/{request.id}"
         )
         self.assertEqual(rel.status, "follows")
         self.assertEqual(rel.user_subject, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(rel.user_object, self.remote_user)
 
-    def test_user_follows_from_request_custom_remote_id(self, _):
+    def test_user_follows_from_request_custom_remote_id(self, *_):
         """store a specific remote id for a relationship provided by remote"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async"):
             request = models.UserFollowRequest.objects.create(
@@ -72,7 +101,7 @@ class Relationship(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(rel.user_object, self.remote_user)
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async")
-    def test_follow_request_activity(self, broadcast_mock, _):
+    def test_follow_request_activity(self, broadcast_mock, *_):
         """accept a request and make it a relationship"""
         models.UserFollowRequest.objects.create(
             user_subject=self.local_user,
@@ -84,7 +113,7 @@ class Relationship(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(activity["type"], "Follow")
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async")
-    def test_follow_request_accept(self, broadcast_mock, _):
+    def test_follow_request_accept(self, broadcast_mock, *_):
         """accept a request and make it a relationship"""
         self.local_user.manually_approves_followers = True
         self.local_user.save(
@@ -110,7 +139,7 @@ class Relationship(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(rel.user_object, self.local_user)
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.apply_async")
-    def test_follow_request_reject(self, broadcast_mock, _):
+    def test_follow_request_reject(self, broadcast_mock, *_):
         """accept a request and make it a relationship"""
         self.local_user.manually_approves_followers = True
         self.local_user.save(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_shelf_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_shelf_model.py
index 0683fbef..4f7f3589 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_shelf_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_shelf_model.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from bookwyrm import models, settings
 # pylint: disable=unused-argument
 @patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay")
 @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay")
 @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_book_statuses_task.delay")
 @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.remove_book_statuses_task.delay")
 class Shelf(TestCase):
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ class Shelf(TestCase):
         """look, a shelf"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ class Shelf(TestCase):
             shelf = models.Shelf.objects.create(
                 name="Test Shelf", identifier="test-shelf", user=self.local_user
             )
-        expected_id = "https://%s/user/mouse/books/test-shelf" % settings.DOMAIN
+        expected_id = f"https://{settings.DOMAIN}/user/mouse/books/test-shelf"
         self.assertEqual(shelf.get_remote_id(), expected_id)
 
     def test_to_activity(self, *_):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py
index b7c19c4b..d23f7988 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class SiteModels(TestCase):
         """we need basic test data and mocks"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse@local.com",
                 "mouse@mouse.com",
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
index 822d837a..6520094c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class Status(TestCase):
         """useful things for creating a status"""
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "mouseword", local=True, localname="mouse"
             )
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_user_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_user_model.py
index 389928cd..aa62dce3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_user_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_user_model.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class User(TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
             "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
-        ):
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
             self.user = models.User.objects.create_user(
                 "mouse@%s" % DOMAIN,
                 "mouse@mouse.mouse",