Inactive Handle Reaping

How we keep the namespace healthy and what happens to dormant accounts.

Why we reap

Handles are a shared resource. Reaping prevents handle squatting and ensures that the namespace stays available for people who actually want to use it.

Who gets reaped

Currently, only unverified accounts — those that signed up but never clicked the email verification link. Verified accounts are not subject to this window. We may introduce separate policies for long-inactive accounts in the future; if we do, we'll notify you well in advance.

Timeline

Day 0 You sign up and receive a verification email.

Day 7 If still unverified, we send a reminder email.

Day 14 If still unverified, your site is archived and your handle is released.

What happens to your content

Nothing is permanently deleted. Your entire site is archived as a compressed file. All your posts, comments, keys, and configuration are preserved in the archive.

Recovery

Visit /recover, enter the email you signed up with, and we'll send you a recovery link. From there you can:

Download your archive — get a copy of all your site data
Reinstate your site — restore your site to its original handle (if still available)

Handle availability

After reaping, your handle becomes available to others. If someone else claims it before you recover, you can still download your archive but you won't be able to reinstate to the same handle.

Verified accounts

Verified accounts are not subject to the 14-day reaping window above. However, handles — especially those with high perceived value — that remain inactive for an extended period may be reclaimed to keep the namespace fair and available. You will always be able to access your content, even after a handle is reclaimed. If your handle is ever subject to reclamation, you'll receive clear notice and time to act before anything happens.