| name | instagram |
| description | Browser automation for Instagram web. Use when navigating feed, stories, reels, profiles, hashtags, comments, likes, DMs, or running Instagram warmup tasks. Web covers everything needed for engagement; story creation and some Reels features are mobile-only. |
Instagram
Load this when interacting with Instagram via browser automation. Detailed flows, selectors, account switching, and engagement gotchas live in references/workflows.md — load that file before any Instagram browser session that needs account verification or switching, and whenever you need exact click sequences or nuance.
Prerequisites
- Select the right browser first. BuildOS/@djwayne3 work runs in Chrome profile directory
Default, display name "djwayne35" (DJ's main profile, which has its own Claude extension instance). Call list_connected_browsers and select_browser the matching one before navigating — never the 9takes.com or thecadretraining.com browsers. This profile is shared with DJ's personal accounts, so switching to @djwayne3 within it is sanctioned; switching accounts in any other profile is not. Machine-level mapping: /Users/djwayne/9takes/docs/instagram/instagram-cron-browser-setup.md.
- User is logged into Instagram in that profile's Chrome.
- Start at
https://www.instagram.com.
- Instagram web covers likes, comments, saves, story viewing, DMs, and search. Story creation and some Reels features are mobile-only.
URL map
| Purpose | URL |
|---|
| Home feed | https://www.instagram.com/ |
| Explore | https://www.instagram.com/explore/ |
| Reels | https://www.instagram.com/reels/ |
| Profile | https://www.instagram.com/<username>/ |
| Hashtag | https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/<hashtag>/ |
| Post permalink | https://www.instagram.com/p/<post_id>/ |
| Reel permalink | https://www.instagram.com/reel/<reel_id>/ |
| Messages | https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/ |
| Settings | https://www.instagram.com/accounts/edit/ |
Quick reference
Like → click heart (or double-tap image)
Comment → click speech bubble → type → Post
Save → click bookmark
Search → sidebar Search → type → pick result
Profile → instagram.com/<username>
Hashtag → instagram.com/explore/tags/<hashtag>
Message → Messages → open thread → Message... → Send
Reels → sidebar Reels → scroll, like/comment on right-rail buttons
Story reply → open story → "Send message" input → opens DM thread
Non-obvious rules
- Account verification is required before every scan or action. Use
references/workflows.md section 8 when the active account is not the intended handle.
- Rate-limiting is aggressive. Space out actions. Batched likes/comments trigger challenges.
- Algorithm weights, strongest → weakest: saves, shares to DM/Story, comments (meaningful ones), reel completion rate, dwell time — then likes.
- Meaningful comments matter more than short ones. ≥5 words, relevance > generic praise. Short "🔥" / "nice!" comments post but barely move reach.
- Reply to comments on your own posts within ~1 hour — that window dominates distribution.
- Hashtags: 3–5 per post is current guidance. Ignore the 30-tag era. Either caption or first comment.
When to read references/workflows.md
- You need exact selectors, comment input label, or story reply behavior.
- You need to verify or switch the active Instagram account.
- You're building a DM flow (inbox filter / new message / send path).
- You need the engagement-signals rundown with specifics.
- A scripted flow is failing and you suspect a selector or permission check.
Integrations in this repo
This skill is loaded by .claude/commands/instagram-warmup.md and .claude/commands/instagram-reply.md before any Instagram browser interaction.
