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# Setting up Cactus Comments (optional)
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The playbook can install and configure the [Cactus Comments ](https://cactus.chat ) system for you.
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Cactus Comments is a **federated comment system** built on Matrix. It respects your privacy, and puts you in control.
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See the project's [documentation ](https://cactus.chat/docs/getting-started/introduction/ ) to learn what it
does and why it might be useful to you.
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The playbook contains 2 roles for configuring different pieces of the Cactus Comments system:
- `matrix-cactus-comments` - the backend appservice integrating with the Matrix homeserver
- `matrix-cactus-comments-client` - a static website server serving the [cactus-client ](https://cactus.chat/docs/client/introduction/ ) static assets (`cactus.js` and `styles.css` )
You can enable whichever component you need (typically both).
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## Configuration
Add the following block to your `vars.yaml` and make sure to exchange the tokens to randomly generated values.
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```yaml
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#################
## Cactus Chat ##
#################
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# This enables the backend (appservice)
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matrix_cactus_comments_enabled: true
# To allow guest comments without users needing to log in, you need to have guest registration enabled.
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# To do this you need to uncomment one of the following lines (depending if you are using Synapse or Dendrite as a homeserver)
# If you don't know which one you use: The default is Synapse ;)
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# matrix_synapse_allow_guest_access: true
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# matrix_dendrite_allow_guest_access: true
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# This enables client assets static files serving on `https://matrix.DOMAIN/cactus-comments`.
# When the backend (appservice) is enabled, this is also enabled automatically,
# but we explicitly enable it here.
matrix_cactus_comments_client_enabled: true
# Uncomment and adjust if you'd like to host the client assets at a different location.
# These variables are only make used if (`matrix_cactus_comments_client_enabled: true`)
# matrix_cactus_comments_client_hostname: "{{ matrix_server_fqn_matrix }}"
# matrix_cactus_comments_client_path_prefix: /cactus-comments
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```
## Installing
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After configuring the playbook, run the [installation ](installing.md ) command again.
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## Usage
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Upon starting Cactus Comments, a `bot.cactusbot` user account is created automatically.
To get started, send a `help` message to the `@bot.cactusbot:your-homeserver.com` bot to confirm it's working.
Then, register a site by typing: `register <sitename>` . You will then be invited into a moderation room.
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Now you are good to go and can include the comment section on your website!
**Careful:** To really make use of self-hosting you need change a few things in comparison to the official docs!
Insert the following snippet into you page and make sure to replace `example.com` with your base domain!
```html
< script type = "text/javascript" src = "https://matrix.example.com/cactus-comments/cactus.js" > < / script >
< link rel = "stylesheet" href = "https://matrix.example.com/cactus-comments/style.css" type = "text/css" >
< div id = "comment-section" > < / div >
< script >
initComments({
node: document.getElementById("comment-section"),
defaultHomeserverUrl: "https://matrix.example.com:8448",
serverName: "example.com",
siteName: "YourSiteName",
commentSectionId: "1"
})
< / script >
```
