schmonz.com is a Fediverse instance that uses the ActivityPub protocol. In other words, users at this host can communicate with people that use software like Mastodon, Pleroma, Friendica, etc. all around the world.
This server runs the snac software and there is no automatic sign-up process.
That’s your clue: refactor first.
(Special case of the general KFB wisdom “First make the change easy, then make the easy change.”)
I'm a professional (!) #5pinbowling competitor with a 25-year (!) history in software development, most of it with a strong preference for #lightweight approaches.
I learned what I know about #Lightweight software from pioneers in the Extreme Programming community #xplives. I'm grateful to them.