Developers are gaining more tools to create innovative applications on the ATProto protocol, which serves as the foundation for Bluesky’s decentralized social network and a rapidly growing ecosystem of third-party apps. Recent updates shared at the ATmosphere conference in Seattle highlight significant advancements aimed at improving functionality and accessibility.
Streamlined Authentication with OAuth
One of the most anticipated features is the integration of OAuth, a widely used authentication standard. This update will simplify user logins for apps built on ATProto, allowing people to sign in securely using existing credentials—similar to “Sign in with Google” or “Sign in with Apple.” While Bluesky’s branding may appear in early implementations, discussions are ongoing about refining the user interface to emphasize ATProto’s open ecosystem rather than a single app.
Expanding Data Flexibility with Lexicons
The protocol now supports publishing lexicons—schemas that define how data records are structured—directly on the network. This empowers developers to create and share standardized formats for diverse use cases, such as recipes, events, or location data. Apps can dynamically resolve unfamiliar lexicons through DNS-like lookups, streamlining integration and reducing redundant work across the community.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
Future updates will prioritize private data handling, enabling features like end-to-end encryption for messages and user-owned data storage. The Bluesky team is exploring solutions like Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a protocol backed by the IETF, to accelerate secure communication capabilities. Additionally, improvements to relay infrastructure will reduce operational costs, making it easier for developers to host scalable data streams.
User-Centric Improvements
Planned updates also focus on smoother account migration processes, including support for moving profiles to Bluesky’s servers—a feature not currently available. These changes aim to give users greater control over their data while fostering a more interconnected app ecosystem.
