threads-automation

name	threads-automation
description	Threads (threads.com) automation via Patchright MCP — post, reply, like, repost, DM, search, profile. Column-based web UI, English. Part of social-media-browser umbrella.
triggers	["threads","threads.net","post threads","reply threads","like threads","dm threads","repost threads","search threads","profil threads","utas"]
tools	["mcp_patchright_browser_navigate","mcp_patchright_browser_click","mcp_patchright_browser_type","mcp_patchright_browser_snapshot","mcp_patchright_browser_run_code","mcp_patchright_browser_file_upload","mcp_patchright_browser_take_screenshot"]

Threads Automation via Patchright MCP

Prerequisites

• Patchright profile must be already logged in to Threads (threads.com)
• Use profile="rickicode" (default) or whichever profile has Threads session
• All interactions use mcp_patchright_* tools
• Threads shares Instagram auth — same profile works for both

Architecture: Column-Based Layout

Threads uses a multi-column layout (like TweetDeck):

• Left sidebar: Navigation (fixed)
• Center area: One or more columns (feed, profile, post detail, search, messages)
• Each column has its own Column title (h1), Column body (region), and More button
• Columns can be stacked — navigate opens new column, "Back" button closes it

Key difference from Instagram:

• English UI throughout (Like, Reply, Repost, Share, Follow, Post, Message)
• Posts are called "threads"
• No "Suka/Komentari" — it's "Like/Reply"
• Column-based, not page-based
• URL pattern: threads.com/@username/post/<shortcode>

---

1. Create Post (New Thread)

Method 1 — Sidebar "New thread" button

1. Click sidebar button button "New thread"
2. Compose modal/panel opens

Method 2 — Inline compose in feed

1. In feed column, find button "Empty text field. Type to compose a new post."
2. Click to focus, type content
3. Click button "Post" to publish

Method 3 — run_code (most reliable)

async (page) => {
  await page.goto('https://www.threads.com/');
  await page.waitForTimeout(3000);
  
  // Click compose area
  const compose = page.getByRole('button', { name: /Empty text field|What\'s new/ });
  await compose.click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(500);
  
  // Type content
  await page.keyboard.type('Your thread text here');
  await page.waitForTimeout(500);
  
  // Click Post
  const postBtn = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Post' });
  await postBtn.click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(2000);
  
  return 'posted';
}

Create button (bottom sidebar)

• button "Create" at bottom of left sidebar — also opens compose

---

1b. Post with Image (Patchright file upload)

async (page) => {
  // 1. Open composer
  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'New thread' }).click({ force: true });
  await page.waitForTimeout(2000);

  // 2. Trigger file chooser + upload
  const [fileChooser] = await Promise.all([
    page.waitForEvent('filechooser'),
    page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Attach media' }).click()
  ]);
  await fileChooser.setFiles('/workspaces/patchright-browser/image.png');
  await page.waitForTimeout(3000);

  // 3. DUPLICATE CHECK — Threads sometimes uploads 2 copies!
  const removeButtons = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Remove' });
  if (await removeButtons.count() > 1) {
    await removeButtons.first().click();
    await page.waitForTimeout(500);
  }

  // 4. Type text (under 500 chars!)
  const textbox = page.getByRole('textbox', { name: 'Empty text field. Type to' });
  await textbox.click();
  await textbox.fill('Your post text here');

  // 5. Post
  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Post', exact: true }).click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(3000);
  return 'posted';
}

Pitfall — file path: Patchright only allows files from /workspaces/patchright-browser/. Copy files there first:

cp /tmp/screenshot.png /workspaces/patchright-browser/screenshot.png

---

2. Like / Unlike Post

From feed or post detail:

1. Find button "Like N" (where N is count, e.g., "Like 36")
2. Click to like — button stays "Like N+1"
3. Click again to unlike

Identify in snapshot:

• Like button: button "Like36" or button "Like 36" (count may be attached)
• Liked state: count increases by 1

run_code approach:

async (page) => {
  // Find the Like button near a specific post
  const likeBtn = page.getByRole('button', { name: /^Like/ }).first();
  await likeBtn.click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(500);
  return 'liked';
}

---

4. Reply to Post

From feed:

1. Click button "Reply" or button "Reply N" on a post
2. Reply compose opens (may open post detail column)
3. Type reply in the textbox
4. Click button "Post" to send reply

From post detail page:

1. Navigate to /@username/post/<shortcode>
2. Find compose area (textbox "Empty text field. Type to compose a new post." with placeholder "Reply to username...")
3. Type reply + click "Post"
4. Compose also has: button "Attach media", button "Add a GIF", button "Expand composer"

Reply sorting:

• button "Sort Top More" — sort replies by Top/Recent

Reply thread structure:

• Replies show: profile pic, username, timestamp, "Author" badge (if post author), "Liked by original author" indicator
• Each reply has action bar: Like, Reply, Repost, Share
• Each reply has "More" button (⋯) with same options as other user's posts

run_code approach:

async (page) => {
  // Navigate to post
  await page.goto('https://www.threads.com/@username/post/SHORTCODE');
  await page.waitForTimeout(3000);
  
  // Click compose
  const compose = page.getByRole('button', { name: /Empty text field/ });
  await compose.click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(500);
  
  // Type reply
  await page.keyboard.type('Your reply here');
  await page.waitForTimeout(500);
  
  // Post
  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Post' }).click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(2000);
  return 'replied';
}

---

3. Repost / Quote Repost

Repost:

1. Click button "Repost" or button "Repost N" on a post
2. Confirm repost in dialog (if any)

Quote Repost (repost with comment):

1. Click "Repost" → select "Quote" option
2. Add your text + click "Post"

---

5. Share Post

• Click button "Share" or button "Share N"
• Opens share dialog (copy link, send via DM, etc.)

---

6. Post "More" Menu Options

Own Post Menu (button "More" on your post)

Click "More" button on your own post → opens menu with:

Group 1:

• menuitem "Insights" → view post analytics

Group 2:

• menuitem "Save" → bookmark the post
• menuitem "Pin to profile" → pin to top of profile
• menuitem "Archive" → hide from profile (not delete)
• menuitem "Hide like and share counts" → hide engagement numbers
• menuitem "Reply options" → control who can reply

Group 3:

• menuitem "Delete" → delete the post permanently

Group 4:

• menuitem "Copy link" → copy post URL

Other User's Post Menu (button "More" on their post)

Click "More" button on other user's post → opens menu with:

Group 1:

• menuitem "Add to feed" (submenu with "Next" arrow)

Group 2:

• menuitem "Save" → bookmark
• menuitem "Not interested" → hide similar content

Group 3:

• menuitem "Mute" → mute the user
• menuitem "Notify me" → notifications for this post
• menuitem "Restrict" → restrict their interactions
• menuitem "Unfollow" → unfollow the user
• menuitem "Report" → report the post

Group 4:

• menuitem "Copy link" → copy post URL

run_code to click menu item:

async (page) => {
  // Click More button on post
  await page.evaluate(() => {
    const btns = document.querySelectorAll('button');
    for (const btn of btns) {
      const img = btn.querySelector('img[alt="More"]');
      if (img && btn.closest('[role="region"]')) {
        btn.click();
        return;
      }
    }
  });
  await page.waitForTimeout(1000);
  
  // Click specific menu item (e.g., Delete)
  const deleteItem = page.getByRole('menuitem', { name: 'Delete' });
  await deleteItem.click();
  await page.waitForTimeout(1000);
  
  // Confirm if dialog appears
  const confirmBtn = page.getByRole('button', { name: /Delete|Confirm/ });
  if (await confirmBtn.isVisible()) {
    await confirmBtn.click();
  }
  
  return 'deleted';
}

---

7. DM (Direct Messages)

Inbox

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/messages/

Structure:

• Header: "Messages" button + "New message" link
• Search box for messages
• Tabs: "Inbox" / "Requests" (with unread count)
• Conversation list: each is a link with:
  • Profile picture
  • Username
  • Last message preview
  • Timestamp (16h, 1w, 4w, 9w, 12w)
• URL pattern: /messages/t/<thread_id>/

Read Messages

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/messages/t/<thread_id>/

Conversation structure:

• Header: profile pic, username, display name, followers count, "View profile" link, "Follow" button
• Messages in grid layout with timestamps
• Each message: profile pic link, text, action buttons (3 buttons: reply/react/more)
• "Seen" indicator for last message
• Input: textbox "Message..." + attachment/media buttons

Send DM

async (page) => {
  await page.goto('https://www.threads.com/messages/t/<thread_id>/');
  await page.waitForTimeout(3000);
  
  // Find message input (contenteditable div with role="textbox")
  const input = page.locator('[role="textbox"][contenteditable="true"]');
  await input.click();
  await input.fill('Your message');
  await input.press('Enter');
  
  return 'sent';
}

DM Message Actions

Each message has 3 action buttons in a gridcell:

1. Reply (no label, first button) — reply to specific message
2. React (no label, second button) — add emoji reaction
3. More (label "More", third button) — more options menu

Note: Buttons only appear on hover. Use force: true click or hover first.

DM Input Area Buttons

• button "More options" — attachment/media options
• button "Add an emoji" — emoji picker
• textbox (contenteditable, placeholder "Message...") — message input

DM Inbox Conversation Options

Each conversation in inbox has svg "More options for conversation" — options for that conversation (mute, archive, delete, etc.)

DM Requests

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/messages/requests

• Shows message requests from non-followers
• Accept or decline requests

Send New DM

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/messages/new/

• Search for user → select → compose message → send

---

7. Search

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/search

Structure:

• Search box (searchbox "Search")
• "Filter" button
• "Follow suggestions" section with user cards
• Each suggestion: profile pic, username link, display name, "Follow" button, follower count

Search flow:

1. Navigate to /search
2. Type in searchbox "Search" (type=search, placeholder="Search")
3. Results appear inline in column

Filter tabs (appear after query entered):

• link "Top" → /search?q={term} (default, best match)
• link "Recent" → /search?q={term}&filter=recent (chronological)
• link "Profiles" → /search?q={term}&filter=profiles (users only)

Filter button: button "Filter" (icon, next to search box)

Search with query:

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/search?q=<query>

Search specific author's posts:

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/search?from_author=<username>

Tag search:

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/search?q=<tag>&serp_type=tags&tag_id=<id>

Result types:

Post results (Top/Recent filters):

• Profile pic button with "Follow" overlay
• Username link → /@username
• Optional tag badges (hashtag icon + tag link)
• Timestamp link → /@username/post/
• "More" button (⋯)
• Post text content
• Optional "Translate" button (non-English)
• Optional media (image link to /@username/post//media)
• Optional link preview card (og:image + domain + title)
• Action bar: Like N, Reply N, Repost N, Share N

Profile results (Profiles filter):

• Grid layout: 4 profiles per row (profile pic, Follow button, username, display name)
• List layout below: profile pic, username, display name, bio snippet, Follow button
• Each has follower count

Follow suggestions (empty search):

• Section heading "Follow suggestions"
• Each: profile pic, username link, display name, "Follow" button, follower count, bio

Note: Exact username match auto-redirects to profile page.

---

8. Profile

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/@<username>

Structure:

• Column title: username with link "Search posts from username" → /search?from_author=<username> + button "More" (⋯)
• Profile info:
  • Display name (h1)
  • Username
  • Bio text
  • Link (redirect via l.threads.com)
  • Tags/interests (clickable, e.g., "AI Threads", "Coding", "saham", "programming") with button "+" to add
  • Followers count with profile pictures (e.g., "401 followers")
  • Recent views count (e.g., "20.1K recent views")
  • Insights link → /insights
  • Instagram link (redirect to instagram.com)
• button "Edit profile" (own profile only)
• Tabs: Threads, Replies, Media, Reposts
  • Threads: /@username
  • Replies: /@username/replies
  • Media: /@username/media
  • Reposts: /@username/reposts
• Post composer below tabs: "What's new?" + button "Post"
• Vertical feed (one post per row, NOT grid)
• Infinite scroll with skeleton loading

Note: Threads does NOT show "following" count. No highlights feature like Instagram Stories.

Extract profile data via run_code:

async (page) => {
  await page.goto('https://www.threads.com/@username');
  await page.waitForTimeout(5000);
  
  return await page.evaluate(() => {
    const result = {};
    const h1 = document.querySelectorAll('h1');
    result.displayName = h1[1]?.textContent; // second h1 is display name
    result.username = document.querySelector('[class*="username"]')?.textContent;
    result.bio = document.querySelector('[class*="bio"]')?.textContent;
    result.followers = document.body.innerText.match(/(\d[\d,.]*)\s*followers/)?.[1];
    result.recentViews = document.body.innerText.match(/([\d,.]+[KMB]?)\s*recent views/)?.[1];
    
    // Get post links
    const postLinks = document.querySelectorAll('a[href*="/post/"]');
    result.posts = [...postLinks].map(a => ({
      url: a.href,
      text: a.querySelector('img')?.alt?.substring(0, 100) || a.textContent?.substring(0, 100)
    }));
    
    return result;
  });
}

---

9. Post Detail

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/@<username>/post/<shortcode>

Structure:

• Column title: "Thread" with view count (e.g., "2.5K views")
• "Back" button
• "More" button (⋯)
• Post content (text, images, carousel indicator "2/2")
• Action buttons: Like, Reply, Repost, Share, Translate
• "More" button on each reply/thread
• Reply compose area
• Replies thread below

---

10. Activity / Notifications

Navigate: https://www.threads.com/activity

Page title: (N) Activity • Threads Header: heading "Activity" + filter dropdown button "All" (with chevron)

Notification types:

1. Likes — "username and N others" → timestamp → link to liked post

   • Aggregated: multiple likes grouped as "username and 20 others"
   • No action buttons, click goes to post

2. Follows from Posts — "username and N others" → "Followed from your post" label → link to post

   • Key identifier: text "Followed from your post"

3. Direct Follows — two variants:

   • "Followed you" + button "Follow back"
   • "You're now following" + button "Following"

4. Replies — username → quoted original post text → reply link → action bar (Like/Reply/Repost/Share)

   • Shows the original post as plain text, then the reply

5. System/Platform — from "threads" official account

   • "Your thread got over 100 views."
   • "Your thread was shared over 5 times and got over 1,000 views."
   • "Threads is now in Accounts Center..."
   • No action buttons

6. Suggested Threads — "Suggested thread" label + full post with Like/Reply/Repost/Share counts

   • Has action buttons with counts (e.g., "Like 31", "Reply 129")

Filter: button "All" dropdown at top for filtering notification type

---

11. Follow / Unfollow

From profile page:

• button "Follow" → click to follow
• After follow: button changes to "Following" (click to unfollow)

From search results:

• Each user card has button "Follow" next to their name

---

12. Save Post

• link "Saved" in sidebar → /saved/ (bookmarked posts)
• Save action via "More" menu on individual posts

---

13. Translate Post

• button "Translate" appears on non-English posts
• Click to translate inline

---

15. Custom Feeds

Users can create custom feeds in the sidebar:

• Feeds section shows: Following, Ghost posts, custom feeds (AI Threads, Coding, etc.)
• button "Edit" to manage feeds
• button "Show more" to see all feeds
• Posts can be added to feeds via "Add to feed" menu items

16. Fediverse Sharing

Some posts show "Post is shared to Fediverse" icon — indicates the post is also visible on federated platforms.

---

URL Reference

Action	URL
Home/Feed	https://www.threads.com/
Following feed	https://www.threads.com/following/
Ghost posts	https://www.threads.com/ghost_posts/
Search	https://www.threads.com/search
Search query	https://www.threads.com/search?q=<query>
Search recent	https://www.threads.com/search?q=<query>&filter=recent
Search profiles	https://www.threads.com/search?q=<query>&filter=profiles
Search author	https://www.threads.com/search?from_author=<username>
Tag search	https://www.threads.com/search?q=<tag>&serp_type=tags&tag_id=<id>
Profile	https://www.threads.com/@<username>
Replies	https://www.threads.com/@<username>/replies
Media	https://www.threads.com/@<username>/media
Reposts	https://www.threads.com/@<username>/reposts
Post detail	https://www.threads.com/@<username>/post/<shortcode>
DM inbox	https://www.threads.com/messages/
DM requests	https://www.threads.com/messages/requests
DM thread	https://www.threads.com/messages/t/<thread_id>/
New DM	https://www.threads.com/messages/new/
Activity	https://www.threads.com/activity
Insights	https://www.threads.com/insights/
Saved	https://www.threads.com/saved/
Custom feed	https://www.threads.com/custom_feed/<id>/

---

Pitfalls

1. Duplicate image upload: Patchright fileChooser.setFiles() sometimes uploads 2 copies. After upload, check for multiple "Remove" buttons — if count > 1, click first one to remove duplicate. Always verify Remove button count before typing text.

2. Character limit ~500: Threads has a ~500 character limit. If the counter shows negative (e.g., "-51"), the post will NOT publish. Shorten text or split into thread. Check counter in snapshot before clicking Post.

3. File upload path restriction: Patchright only allows files from /workspaces/patchright-browser/. Files from other paths (e.g., /workspaces/, /tmp/) get "File access denied: outside allowed roots". Always copy files to /workspaces/patchright-browser/ before uploading.

4. Cookie banners: Some sites (fal.ai, etc) show cookie consent banners that block interaction. Dismiss with getByRole('button', {name: /reject|decline|close/i}) before proceeding.

5. Ref staleness: After any navigation or page change, refs expire. Always snapshot fresh before clicking.

6. Ref staleness: After navigation or column change, always snapshot fresh.

7. English UI: All labels are English (Like, Reply, Repost, Share, Follow, Post, Message, More, Create).

8. Button labels with counts: "Like 36", "Reply 6", "Repost 4", "Share 6" — counts are part of the label text.

9. Compose area: Labeled "Empty text field. Type to compose a new post." or "What's new?"

10. Post button: After typing in compose, click button "Post" to publish.

11. Loading states: Threads content loads async — use waitForTimeout(3000-5000) after navigation.

12. "More" menu: Posts have "More" button (⋯) for edit, delete, save, mute, block options.

13. Thread vs Reply: Original posts = "Threads", responses = "Replies". Profile has separate tabs.

14. DM thread URL: /messages/t/<thread_id>/ — different from Instagram's /direct/t/<id>/.

15. Translate button: Appears on non-English posts. "Translate" label.

16. Fediverse indicator: Some posts show "Post is shared to Fediverse" icon.

17. Tags: Posts can have community tags (e.g., "AI Threads", "Coding") shown as links.

18. Views count: Post detail shows view count (e.g., "2.5K views"). Profile shows "20.1K recent views".

19. Follow suggestions: Search page shows "Follow suggestions" section with user cards.

20. Search filters: Top/Recent/Profiles tabs appear after query. "Filter" button next to search box.

21. Profile grid vs list: Search Profiles shows 4-per-row grid at top, then list below. Profile page uses vertical feed (not grid).

22. Activity aggregation: Likes are grouped as "username and N others". Follows show "Followed from your post" or "Followed you".

23. System notifications: From "threads" official account — view milestones, platform updates. No action buttons.

24. Suggested threads: Appear in activity with "Suggested thread" label + full engagement counts.

25. Search redirect: Exact username match in search auto-redirects to profile page.

26. Link preview cards: Posts can have OG link previews (favicon, domain, title, image).

27. No following count: Profile only shows followers, not following count.

28. No highlights: Threads does not have Instagram-style highlights/stories.

29. DM message actions: 3 buttons per message (Reply, React, More). Buttons only visible on hover.

30. DM input: contenteditable div with role="textbox", NOT a textarea/input. Use page.locator('[role="textbox"][contenteditable="true"]').

31. Post "More" menu: Own posts have Delete/Archive/Pin/Reply options. Other posts have Mute/Restrict/Report/Unfollow.

32. Reply compose: Has "Attach media" + "Add a GIF" + "Expand composer" buttons.

33. Reply sorting: "Sort Top More" button to sort replies by Top or Recent.

34. View activity: "View activity" button on post detail to see who liked/reposted.

35. Notification settings: Per-post notification toggle via "Notification settings" button.

36. DM requests: Separate inbox for message requests from non-f followers.

37. Custom feeds: Users can create custom feeds and add posts to them via "Add to feed" menu.

38. Archive: Hides post from profile without deleting. Different from Delete.

39. Pin to profile: Post appears at top of profile grid. ⚠️ Pitfall: Duplicate image upload Patchright fileChooser.setFiles() kadang upload 2x sehingga composer punya 2 gambar (2x "Remove" button). WAJIB cek jumlah Remove buttons setelah upload. Kalau lebih dari 1 → klik salah satu untuk hapus duplikat. Pattern:

removeButtons = page.getBy_role('button', { name: 'Remove' })
if await removeButtons.count() > 1:
    await removeButtons.first().click()
    await page.wait_for_timeout(500)

⚠️ Pitfall: File upload path restriction Patchright hanya bisa upload file dari /workspaces/patchright-browser/. File di path lain → "File access denied: outside allowed roots". Copy file ke /workspaces/patchright-browser/ dulu sebelum upload.

⚠️ Pitfall: Threads text limit ~500 chars Threads composer punya karakter limit (~500). Counter muncul di bawah Post button (misal "-51" = kepanjangan 51 chars). Kalau kepanjangan, post tidak terkirim. Pastikan copywriting di bawah 500 karakter.

36. CRUD completeness: When testing any action (like, reply, repost), ALWAYS test the reverse (unlike, delete reply, undo repost). User requires full CRUD coverage.