>The problem is that if the flow doesn't follow that happy path (instant-accept or pending), then you don't know there is a problem.
In such cases I keep it in pending state forever. But the sender may cancel and re-send the follow request.
>Furthermore it seems that there are no existing recommendations regarding handling of a Follow to an Actor who believes you are already following them. Do you send back an Accept? Ignore the activity?
I send Accept every time, i.e. Follow activity is idempotent
>I'm writing this because I'm unable to follow `@weekinfediverse@mitra.social, but I don't actually know whether it failed or is pending accept.
It was successful, and my server sent Accept, and the response was:
[202]
{"status":{"code":"accepted","message":"Accepted"},"response":{}}
>...the problem is I don't actually know for sure, and this would also potentially provide guidance for new implementors.
There was a discussion about error reports: https://socialhub.activitypub.rocks/t/report-errors-in-server-processing/3006
But none of the proposal were implemented