Fix repository link in README.md

Updated the repository link in README.md from piko-system to aserper.

.dockerignore

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Git-related files
+.git
+.gitignore
+
+# Docker-related files
+Dockerfile
+.dockerignore
+
+# Python-specific files and directories
+__pycache__/
+*.pyc
+*.pyo
+*.pyd
+.venv/
+venv/
+env/
+
+# IDE / Editor-specific directories
+.vscode/
+.idea/
+
+# Documentation
+README.md

.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+name: Push to Docker Hub
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [ "main" ]
+
+jobs:
+  build-and-push:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Login to Docker Hub
+        uses: docker/login-action@v2
+        with:
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Build and push Docker image
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v4
+        with:
+          context: .
+          push: true 
+          tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}/masto-rss-advanced:latest

.github/workflows/masto-rss.yml

@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-name: Masto-rss
-
-on:
-  push:
-   branches: [ main ]
-  pull_request:
-    branches: [ main ]
-      
-jobs:
-  build:
-
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v1
-    - name: Build & Push Image
-      run: |
-        echo "${{ secrets.DH_PASSWORD }}" | docker login -u "amitserper" --password-stdin
-        docker build -t amitserper/masto-rss .
-        docker push amitserper/masto-rss

Dockerfile

@@ -1,17 +1,22 @@
-# Use an appropriate base image with Python pre-installed
-FROM alpine:3.18
+# Step 1: Use an official, slim Python image as a base
+# 'slim' is a good balance between size and functionality.
+FROM python:3.11-slim
 
 # Set the working directory inside the container
 WORKDIR /app
 
-# Copy the entire current directory into the container at /app
-COPY . /app
+# Step 2: Copy only the requirements file
+# This makes optimal use of Docker's layer caching.
+COPY requirements.txt .
 
-# Install any Python dependencies
+# Step 3: Install the dependencies
+# The --no-cache-dir option keeps the image smaller.
+RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
 
-RUN apk add python3
-RUN apk add py3-pip
-RUN pip install -r requirements.txt
+# Step 4: Now, copy the rest of the application code
+# Because the code changes more often than the dependencies, this step is placed later.
+COPY . .
 
-# Run Python script
-CMD ["python", "main.py"]
+# Step 5: Execute the correct Python script
+# Note the correct filename.
+CMD ["python3", "main.py"]

README.md

@@ -1,20 +1,158 @@
-# Masto-rss
+# Masto-RSS Advanced Bot
 
-A simple Mastodon bot written in python that posts updates from an RSS feed to a Mastodon account.
-This project is meant to be built to a docker container, so all of the options need to be set as environment variables:
+A flexible and robust Python script to automatically post the latest entry from an RSS feed to Mastodon, designed to run continuously in a Docker container.
 
-MASTODON_CLIENT_ID = Mastodon  client  ID
+This project is based on the original concept of [masto-rss](https://github.com/aserper/masto-rss) but has been significantly rewritten and extended with modern features for stability and customization.
 
-MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET = Mastodon  client  secret
+## Features
 
-MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN = Mastodon  access  token
+* **Posts Only the Latest Item**: Checks an RSS feed periodically and posts only the single most recent entry, preventing feed spam.
+* **Prevents Duplicates**: Keeps a history of posted items to ensure the same link is never posted twice.
+* **History Limit**: The history file is automatically pruned to a configurable size (`MAX_HISTORY_SIZE`) to prevent it from growing indefinitely.
+* **Custom Toot Format**: Fully customize the look of your posts using a template string with placeholders (`{title}`, `{link}`, `{hashtags}`).
+* **Hashtag Support**: Automatically append a configurable list of hashtags to every post.
+* **Dockerized**: Runs as a pre-built container image for easy, reliable, and isolated deployment. You don't need to manage Python or dependencies.
+* **Robust Error Handling**: Designed to run forever, it handles connection errors to the RSS feed or Mastodon gracefully without crashing.
 
-MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL = Mastodon  instance  URL
+## Getting Started
 
-RSS_FEED_URL = URL  of  RSS/xml  feed
+The recommended and simplest way to run this bot is by using the pre-built Docker image from Docker Hub with Docker Compose.
 
-TOOT_VISIBILITY = 'public', 'unlisted', 'private', or 'direct'
+### 1. Prerequisites
 
-The best way to use this project is by using [its docker container](https://hub.docker.com/r/amitserper/masto-rss)
-When using docker, make a bind mount between /state on the container to whatever directory you want on your machine in order to keep the state of the feeds that were already posted
-![image](https://github.com/aserper/masto-rss/actions/workflows/masto-rss.yml/badge.svg)
+* Docker and Docker Compose installed on your system.
+* A Mastodon account and an application set up via **Preferences > Development**. You will need the **Client Key**, **Client Secret**, and **Access Token**.
+
+### 2. Configuration
+
+You only need to create one file: `docker-compose.yml`.
+
+First, create a directory for your project and navigate into it:
+
+```bash
+mkdir my-masto-bot
+cd my-masto-bot
+```
+
+Next, create a file named `docker-compose.yml` and paste the following content into it. **You must edit the `environment` section with your own credentials and settings.**
+
+```yaml
+version: '3.8'
+
+services:
+  masto-rss:
+    # Use the pre-built image from Docker Hub
+    image: doorknob2947/masto-rss-advanced:latest
+    container_name: masto-rss-bot
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    volumes:
+      # This volume persists the history of posted links
+      - ./state:/state
+    environment:
+      # --- Mastodon API Credentials (Required) ---
+      - MASTODON_CLIENT_ID=YOUR_CLIENT_KEY_HERE
+      - MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET_HERE
+      - MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN=YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE
+      - MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL=[https://mastodon.social](https://mastodon.social)
+
+      # --- RSS Feed Configuration (Required) ---
+      - RSS_FEED_URL=[https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml](https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml)
+
+      # --- Bot Behavior (Optional) ---
+      - CHECK_INTERVAL=3600 # Time in seconds between checks (e.g., 1 hour)
+      - MAX_HISTORY_SIZE=500 # Max number of posted links to remember
+      - TOOT_VISIBILITY=public # public, unlisted, private, or direct
+
+      # --- Toot Content (Optional) ---
+      - MASTO_RSS_HASHTAGS="news tech python" # Space-separated list of hashtags
+      - TOOT_TEMPLATE='{title}\n\n{link}\n\n{hashtags}'
+
+      # --- System (Do not change) ---
+      - PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
+```
+
+### 3. Environment Variables
+
+All configuration is handled through the `environment` section in your `docker-compose.yml` file.
+
+| Variable                 | Description                                                              | Example                                             |
+| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
+| `MASTODON_CLIENT_ID`     | Your Mastodon application's Client Key.                                  | `abc...`                                            |
+| `MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET` | Your Mastodon application's Client Secret.                               | `def...`                                            |
+| `MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN`  | Your Mastodon application's Access Token.                                | `ghi...`                                            |
+| `MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL`  | The base URL of your Mastodon instance.                                  | `https://mastodon.social`                           |
+| `RSS_FEED_URL`           | The full URL of the RSS feed you want to monitor.                        | `https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml`            |
+| `CHECK_INTERVAL`         | (Optional) The time in seconds between checks.                           | `3600` (for 1 hour)                                 |
+| `MASTO_RSS_HASHTAGS`     | (Optional) A space-separated list of hashtags to add to each post.       | `news tech python`                                  |
+| `MAX_HISTORY_SIZE`       | (Optional) The maximum number of post URLs to remember.                  | `500`                                               |
+| `TOOT_VISIBILITY`        | (Optional) The visibility of the toot (`public`, `unlisted`, `private`, `direct`). | `public`                                            |
+| `TOOT_TEMPLATE`          | (Optional) A string to format the toot. See "Customizing the Toot Format" below. | `'{title}\n\n{link}\n\n{hashtags}'`                 |
+| `PYTHONUNBUFFERED`       | Should be kept at `1` to ensure logs appear in real-time in Docker.      | `1`                                                 |
+
+### 4. Customizing the Toot Format
+
+You can change the layout of your posts using the `TOOT_TEMPLATE` variable. Use the following placeholders:
+
+* `{title}`: The title of the RSS entry.
+* `{link}`: The URL of the RSS entry.
+* `{hashtags}`: The configured hashtags.
+
+**Examples in `docker-compose.yml`:**
+
+* **Compact Format:**
+    ```yaml
+    - TOOT_TEMPLATE='{title} - {link} {hashtags}'
+    ```
+* **Personalized Format:**
+    ```yaml
+    - TOOT_TEMPLATE='New on the blog: {title}\nRead it here: {link}\n\n{hashtags}'
+    ```
+
+## Running the Bot
+
+1.  **Create the `state` directory.** This is required for the bot to remember which links it has already posted.
+    ```bash
+    mkdir ./state
+    ```
+
+2.  **Start the container** in detached (background) mode:
+    ```bash
+    docker-compose up -d
+    ```
+
+The bot is now running!
+
+## Managing the Bot
+
+* **View logs in real-time:**
+    ```bash
+    docker-compose logs -f
+    ```
+
+* **Stop the container:**
+    ```bash
+    docker-compose down
+    ```
+
+* **Restart the container:**
+    ```bash
+    docker-compose restart
+    ```
+
+## Updating the Bot
+
+To update to the latest version of the image from Docker Hub:
+
+1.  **Pull the latest image:**
+    ```bash
+    docker-compose pull
+    ```
+2.  **Restart the container** to apply the update:
+    ```bash
+    docker-compose up -d
+    ```
+
+## Acknowledgements
+
+* This project is heavily inspired by and based on the original [masto-rss](https://github.com/aserper/masto-rss). This version aims to add more robustness, flexibility, and ease of deployment using modern practices.
+* The Python script, Docker configuration, and this README were written and modified with the assistance of AI.

docker-compose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+services:
+  masto-rss:
+    # Use the pre-built image from Docker Hub
+    image: doorknob2947/masto-rss-advanced:latest
+    container_name: masto-rss-bot
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    volumes:
+      # This volume persists the history of posted links
+      - ./state:/state
+    environment:
+      # --- Mastodon API Credentials (Required) ---
+      - MASTODON_CLIENT_ID=YOUR_CLIENT_KEY_HERE
+      - MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET_HERE
+      - MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN=YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE
+      - MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL=[https://mastodon.social](https://mastodon.social)
+
+      # --- RSS Feed Configuration (Required) ---
+      - RSS_FEED_URL=[https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml](https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml)
+
+      # --- Bot Behavior (Optional) ---
+      - CHECK_INTERVAL=3600 # Time in seconds between checks (e.g., 1 hour)
+      - MAX_HISTORY_SIZE=500 # Max number of posted links to remember
+      - TOOT_VISIBILITY=public # public, unlisted, private, or direct
+
+      # --- Toot Content (Optional) ---
+      - MASTO_RSS_HASHTAGS="news tech python" # Space-separated list of hashtags
+      - TOOT_TEMPLATE='{title}\n\n{link}\n\n{hashtags}'
+
+      # --- System (Do not change) ---
+      - PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1

main.py

@@ -2,73 +2,130 @@ import feedparser
 from mastodon import Mastodon
 import os
 import time
-# Replace these with your Mastodon application details and access token
-MASTODON_CLIENT_ID = os.environ['MASTODON_CLIENT_ID']
-MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET = os.environ['MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET']
-MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN = os.environ['MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN']
-MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL = os.environ['MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL']
-TOOT_VISIBILITY = os.environ['TOOT_VISIBILITY'] # Toot visibility ('public', 'unlisted', 'private', or 'direct')
-# RSS feed URL
-RSS_FEED_URL = os.environ['RSS_FEED_URL']
+from collections import deque
 
-# File to store the processed entry URLs. Note that /state directory is for the docker setup
+# --- Configuration ---
+# Get configuration from environment variables
+MASTODON_CLIENT_ID = os.environ.get('MASTODON_CLIENT_ID')
+MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET = os.environ.get('MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET')
+MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN = os.environ.get('MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN')
+MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL = os.environ.get('MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL')
+RSS_FEED_URL = os.environ.get('RSS_FEED_URL')
+
+# Optional configuration with default values
+TOOT_VISIBILITY = os.environ.get('TOOT_VISIBILITY', 'public')
+CHECK_INTERVAL = int(os.environ.get('CHECK_INTERVAL', 3600))
+HASHTAGS = os.environ.get('MASTO_RSS_HASHTAGS', '') 
+MAX_HISTORY_SIZE = int(os.environ.get('MAX_HISTORY_SIZE', 500))
+
+# NEW: Template for the toot format.
+# Use {title}, {link}, and {hashtags} as placeholders.
+DEFAULT_TEMPLATE = '{title}\n\n{link}\n\n{hashtags}'
+TOOT_TEMPLATE = os.environ.get('TOOT_TEMPLATE', DEFAULT_TEMPLATE)
+
+# File to store the processed entry URLs.
 PROCESSED_ENTRIES_FILE = '/state/processed_entries.txt'
 
-# Time delay between RSS checks (in seconds)
-CHECK_INTERVAL = os.environ['CHECK_INTERVAL']  # Check interval in seconds
+# Check if all required configuration is present
+if not all([MASTODON_CLIENT_ID, MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET, MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN, MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL, RSS_FEED_URL]):
+    print("Error: Not all required environment variables are set.")
+    exit(1)
 
-# Initialize Mastodon client
-mastodon = Mastodon(
+# --- Mastodon Initialization ---
+try:
+    mastodon = Mastodon(
         client_id=MASTODON_CLIENT_ID,
         client_secret=MASTODON_CLIENT_SECRET,
         access_token=MASTODON_ACCESS_TOKEN,
         api_base_url=MASTODON_INSTANCE_URL
-)
+    )
+    mastodon.account_verify_credentials()
+    print("Successfully logged in to Mastodon.")
+except Exception as e:
+    print(f"Error initializing Mastodon client: {e}")
+    exit(1)
+
+# --- Functions ---
 
-# Function to load processed entry URLs from a file
 def load_processed_entries():
+    """Loads processed entry URLs from a file into a deque."""
+    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(PROCESSED_ENTRIES_FILE), exist_ok=True)
     try:
         with open(PROCESSED_ENTRIES_FILE, 'r') as file:
-            return set(file.read().splitlines())
+            lines = file.read().splitlines()
+            return deque(lines, maxlen=MAX_HISTORY_SIZE)
     except FileNotFoundError:
-        return set()
+        return deque(maxlen=MAX_HISTORY_SIZE)
 
-# Function to save processed entry URLs to a file
-def save_processed_entries(processed_entries):
+def save_processed_entries(processed_entries_deque):
+    """Saves the processed entry URLs from the deque to a file."""
     with open(PROCESSED_ENTRIES_FILE, 'w') as file:
-        file.write('\n'.join(processed_entries))
+        file.write('\n'.join(processed_entries_deque))
+
+def format_hashtags(hashtag_string):
+    """Formats a string of hashtags into a correct list."""
+    if not hashtag_string:
+        return ""
+    clean_string = hashtag_string.strip(' "\'')
+    tags = filter(None, clean_string.split(' '))
+    return " ".join([f"#{tag.lstrip('#')}" for tag in tags])
 
-# Function to check and post new RSS items
 def check_and_post_new_items():
-    while True:
-        print("Checking for new RSS items...")
-        # Load processed entry URLs from the file
+    """Checks the RSS feed and only posts the latest item if it's new."""
+    
+    formatted_hashtags = format_hashtags(HASHTAGS)
+    if formatted_hashtags:
+        print(f"Hashtags configured: {formatted_hashtags}")
+    else:
+        print("INFO: No hashtags configured.")
+    
+    print(f"INFO: Using toot template: {TOOT_TEMPLATE.replace(chr(10), ' ')}")
+    
     processed_entries = load_processed_entries()
 
-        # Parse the RSS feed
+    while True:
+        print(f"Checking for new RSS items from: {RSS_FEED_URL}")
+        
         feed = feedparser.parse(RSS_FEED_URL)
         
-        for entry in feed.entries:
-            entry_url = entry.link
+        if feed.bozo:
+            print(f"Warning: RSS feed may be malformed. Error: {feed.bozo_exception}")
 
-            # Check if the entry is new (not in the processed_entries set)
-            if entry_url not in processed_entries:
-                print(f"Found a new RSS item: {entry.title}")
-                # Create a Mastodon status
-                status = f"\n{entry.title}\n\n{entry.link}"
+        if not feed.entries:
+            print("No items found in the RSS feed.")
+        else:
+            latest_entry = feed.entries[0]
+            entry_url = latest_entry.get('link')
+            entry_title = latest_entry.get('title', 'No title')
 
-                # Post the status to Mastodon
+            if not entry_url:
+                print(f"Skipping latest item '{entry_title}' (no link).")
+            elif entry_url not in processed_entries:
+                print(f"Found new latest item: {entry_title}")
+                
+                # Compose the Mastodon status based on the template
+                status = TOOT_TEMPLATE.format(
+                    title=entry_title, 
+                    link=entry_url, 
+                    hashtags=formatted_hashtags
+                ).strip()
+
+                try:
+                    print(f"Posting: {status.replace(chr(10), ' ')}")
                     mastodon.status_post(status, visibility=TOOT_VISIBILITY)
+                    print("Post successful.")
                     
-                # Add the entry URL to the processed_entries set
-                processed_entries.add(entry_url)
-
-        # Save the updated processed_entries set to the file
+                    processed_entries.append(entry_url)
                     save_processed_entries(processed_entries)
 
-        print("Sleeping for", CHECK_INTERVAL, "seconds...")
-        # Wait for the specified interval before checking again
+                except Exception as e:
+                    print(f"Error posting to Mastodon: {e}")
+            else:
+                print("The latest item has already been posted.")
+
+        print(f"Waiting for {CHECK_INTERVAL} seconds...")
         time.sleep(int(CHECK_INTERVAL))
 
+# --- Main Program ---
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     check_and_post_new_items()