How to schedule Mastodon posts on any server

Make an access token on your Mastodon server, paste it into Schedulely with the server's address, then write a post with text and one video or up to 4 photos and choose a time. Schedulely publishes it to your account on that server, whichever server it is.

Posts go out as public, and Schedulely checks text against Mastodon's default length rather than each server's own setting.

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Last updated 29 October 2026

Mastodon in Schedulely at a glance
Question	Answer
What you can schedule	Text posts with one video or up to 4 photos
Servers	Any Mastodon server
Post length (default)	500 characters (default; per server)
Media per post (default)	4 (default)
How you connect	Server address and an access token
Visibility	Public

Mastodon limits are server settings. The defaults come from Mastodon's documentation, linked in the sources below.

What can Schedulely publish to Mastodon?

Schedulely publishes Mastodon posts with text, plus either one video or up to 4 photos, on any Mastodon server. Posts go out with public visibility. Polls, content warnings, alt text and threads are not part of Schedulely's Mastodon support yet, so add those from your Mastodon app when you need them.

Mastodon is not one website. It is many independent servers that talk to each other, so your account lives at an address such as you@mastodon.social or you@fosstodon.org. Schedulely works with any of them, because it talks to your server directly using the address you give it.

When a post goes out, Schedulely uploads each photo or the video to your server first. Video often needs processing, so Schedulely waits until the server says the file is ready before it publishes the post. That avoids posts that appear with a missing or broken attachment.

Every post also carries a unique key. If the connection drops after your server accepted the post, a retry within the hour returns the same post instead of creating a second one. On a chronological network where followers see everything in order, a duplicate is noticeable, so this protection matters more than it would on an algorithmic feed.

Why does the Mastodon character limit differ by server?

Each Mastodon server sets its own limits. The default post length is 500 characters (default; per server), but an admin can raise it, so some servers allow much longer posts. Schedulely checks your text against the default for now, which means it works on every server but does not use a larger allowance.

Mastodon's software ships with defaults, and server admins can change them. The documentation lists the defaults Schedulely relies on: post length 500 characters (default; per server), media per post 4 (default), images up to 16 MiB (default) and videos up to 103,809,024 bytes, about 99 MiB (default). A server built for long form writing might allow several thousand characters; a general server usually keeps the default.

Schedulely does not read each server's own setting yet. It warns you when a post is over the default length, so a post that is too long for the default will not be scheduled even if your server would accept it. If your server allows more and you regularly write long posts, post those from your Mastodon app for now.

For most people this is not a problem. Short posts travel better between servers, are easier to boost, and read well in the clients people use on phones.

Mastodon default limits and Schedulely support
Item	Mastodon default	In Schedulely
Post length	500 characters (default; per server)	Checked against the default
Media per post	4 (default)	One video, or up to 4 photos
Image file size	16 MiB (default)	Uploaded at publish time
Video file size	103,809,024 bytes, about 99 MiB (default)	Waits for the server to finish processing
Polls	4 options, 50 characters each (default)	Not supported yet

Your server may use different numbers. Its about page usually lists them.

How do you connect Mastodon to Schedulely?

On your Mastodon server, open Preferences, then Development, and create a new application with the write:statuses, write:media and read:accounts permissions. Copy its access token, then paste it into Schedulely with your server's address. The token does not expire, and deleting the application on your server disconnects Schedulely.

Create the application. In Mastodon's web interface, go to Preferences, Development, New application. Name it Schedulely and tick write:statuses, write:media and read:accounts. Nothing else is needed.
Copy the token. Open the application you made and copy Your access token.
Connect. In Schedulely, add Mastodon to the client, type the server address such as mastodon.social, and paste the token. Schedulely keeps it encrypted.
Write and schedule. Add text and media from your computer, phone, a Google Drive link set to Anyone with the link, or the client's library, then pick a time in the client's time zone.

These permissions let Schedulely post and upload media, and read your account name to show it correctly. They do not let it follow people, read your direct messages or change your profile. If you delete the application on your server, the token stops working at once.

How should you post on Mastodon?

Mastodon has no algorithm deciding who sees your posts, so hashtags and replies do most of the work. Use a few clear hashtags, write in a direct personal voice, describe images where you can, and reply to people. Accounts that only broadcast links tend to get little response there.

Timelines on Mastodon are chronological, and people find posts mostly through hashtags, boosts and the people they follow. That changes the job of a scheduled post.

Hashtags carry discovery. A couple of relevant tags help people following that topic find you. Write them in CamelCase, such as #SmallBusiness, so screen readers read them correctly.
Time posts to your audience. Because nothing resurfaces old posts, publishing when your followers are awake matters. Schedulely schedules in each client's time zone, so set it to where the audience is.
Respect local norms. Many servers have rules on promotion and automated accounts. Read your server's rules before you schedule a lot of promotional posts.
Be there afterwards. Replies are the main way posts spread. Answer them from your Mastodon app.

Scheduling covers the consistency; the conversation is still yours to have.

What can't Schedulely do on Mastodon yet?

Schedulely does not add content warnings, alt text or polls to Mastodon posts, does not post threads, and always posts with public visibility. It does not read the larger character limit some servers allow, and it does not bring Mastodon replies or mentions into its inbox, which works with Instagram only.

Content warnings and alt text are part of Mastodon's culture, and on some servers they are expected for certain topics. Schedulely sends posts without them today. If your posts often need a content warning, for example news or health topics, post those from your Mastodon app, or describe the image in the post text so it is still accessible.

Every post Schedulely publishes is public. Unlisted, followers only and direct visibility are not available from Schedulely yet. Polls, which Mastodon supports with 4 options, 50 characters each (default), are also not built.

There is no Mastodon analytics in Schedulely, and the inbox does not read Mastodon notifications. What Schedulely does well here is the common case: the same update going to Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads and other networks from one calendar, at the right time, with client approval if you need it, and with protection against double posting.

Who it's for, and who it isn't

A good fit if you

People and brands that post the same updates to Mastodon, Bluesky and Threads
Open source projects and tech companies keeping a regular presence on Mastodon
Agencies whose clients want Mastodon added without another separate tool
Anyone on a smaller or self hosted Mastodon server that other tools do not list

Not the right fit if you

Accounts that routinely need content warnings or alt text on scheduled posts
Writers who rely on a server's extended character limit for long posts
Anyone who needs unlisted or followers only posts from a scheduler

Questions people ask

Can you schedule posts on Mastodon?

Yes. With Schedulely you connect your Mastodon account using your server's address and an access token made on that server, then schedule posts with text and one video or up to 4 photos. It works on any Mastodon server, and the posts sit in the same calendar as your other networks.

Does Schedulely work with any Mastodon server?

Yes. Schedulely talks to your server directly using the address you type, such as mastodon.social or a smaller community server, so it is not limited to a list of supported instances. The server needs to allow you to create an application under Preferences, Development, which standard Mastodon servers do.

What is the character limit on Mastodon?

The default is 500 characters (default; per server), but each server can change it, so some allow far longer posts. Check your server's about page for its setting. Schedulely currently checks text against the default, so long posts that your server would accept still need to be shortened or posted from your Mastodon app.

Is it safe to give Schedulely a Mastodon access token?

The token only has the permissions you tick: write:statuses, write:media and read:accounts. It can post and upload media but cannot read your direct messages, follow accounts or change your profile. Schedulely stores it encrypted, and deleting the application on your Mastodon server cancels it straight away.

Can Schedulely add content warnings or alt text on Mastodon?

Not yet. Schedulely posts text and media without content warnings or alt text at the moment. If a post needs a content warning or an image description, publish it from your Mastodon app, or describe the image in the post text. We will update this page when either is added.

Can I schedule the same post to Mastodon and Bluesky?

Yes. Write the post once in Schedulely, tick both networks and pick a time. Schedulely checks the text against each network's length and shows a preview for each. Bluesky allows less text than Mastodon's default, so a post that fits Mastodon may need trimming for Bluesky.

Sources

Every outside fact on this page comes from the source listed here, checked on 29 October 2026. Prices and features change, so check the source before you decide.

Mastodon documentation: Instance configuration docs.joinmastodon.org/entities/Instance/

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