From ad0e26dc04008feec8de0603c88fbd63f87c18ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Tobi Smethurst <31960611+tsmethurst@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 20:25:54 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] Markdown Statuses (#116)

* parse markdown statuses if desired

* add some preliminary docs for writing posts
---
 README.md                                     |  1 +
 docs/user_guide/writing_posts.md              | 48 +++++++++++++++
 go.mod                                        |  5 +-
 go.sum                                        | 44 +-------------
 internal/api/model/status.go                  | 15 +++++
 internal/processing/account/create.go         |  4 +-
 internal/processing/account/update.go         |  5 +-
 .../processing/admin/createdomainblock.go     |  6 +-
 internal/processing/instance.go               |  9 +--
 internal/processing/media/create.go           |  4 +-
 internal/processing/media/update.go           |  4 +-
 internal/processing/status/create.go          |  3 +-
 internal/processing/status/status.go          |  3 +
 internal/processing/status/util.go            | 37 +++++-------
 internal/text/common.go                       | 46 +++++++++++++++
 internal/text/formatter.go                    | 49 ++++++++++++++++
 internal/text/markdown.go                     | 58 +++++++++++++++++++
 internal/text/plain.go                        | 50 ++++++++++++++++
 internal/{util => text}/sanitize.go           |  2 +-
 19 files changed, 306 insertions(+), 87 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 docs/user_guide/writing_posts.md
 create mode 100644 internal/text/common.go
 create mode 100644 internal/text/formatter.go
 create mode 100644 internal/text/markdown.go
 create mode 100644 internal/text/plain.go
 rename internal/{util => text}/sanitize.go (99%)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4ac24975b..a0eb88f7e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ The following libraries and frameworks are used by GoToSocial, with gratitude 
   * [gin-contrib/static](https://github.com/gin-contrib/static); Gin static page middleware. [MIT License](https://spdx.org/licenses/MIT.html)
 * [go-fed/activity](https://github.com/go-fed/activity); Golang ActivityPub/ActivityStreams library. [BSD-3-Clause License](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause.html).
 * [go-fed/httpsig](https://github.com/go-fed/httpsig); secure HTTP signature library. [BSD-3-Clause License](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause.html).
+* [russross/blackfriday](https://github.com/russross/blackfriday); markdown parsing for statuses. [Simplified BSD License](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-2-Clause.html).
 * [go-pg/pg](https://github.com/go-pg/pg); Postgres ORM library. [BSD-2-Clause License](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-2-Clause.html).
 * [google/uuid](https://github.com/google/uuid); UUID generation. [BSD-3-Clause License](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause.html)
 * [gorilla/websocket](https://github.com/gorilla/websocket); Websocket connectivity. [BSD-2-Clause License](https://spdx.org/licenses/BSD-2-Clause.html).
diff --git a/docs/user_guide/writing_posts.md b/docs/user_guide/writing_posts.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7318242f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/user_guide/writing_posts.md
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# Writing Posts
+
+TODO
+
+## Formatting
+
+This section describes the different post input types accepted by GoToSocial, and the method GtS uses to parse text into HTML.
+
+### Links
+
+Any recognized links in the text will be shortened and turned into proper hyperlinks. For example:
+
+> Here's a link to something: https://example.org/some/link/address
+
+will become:
+
+> Here's a link to something: [example.org/some/link/address](https://example.org/some/link/address)
+
+### Mentions
+
+You can 'mention' another account by referring to the account in the following way:
+
+> @some_account@example.org
+
+In this example, `some_account` is the username of the account you want to mention, and `example.org` is the domain that hosts their account.
+
+The mentioned account will get a notification that you've mentioned them, and be able to see the post in which they were mentioned.
+
+Mentions are formatted in a similar way to links, so:
+
+> @some_account@example.org
+
+will become:
+
+> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://example.org/@some_account" class="u-url mention">@<span>some_account</span></a></span>
+
+## Input Types
+
+GoToSocial currently accepts two different types of input. These are:
+
+* `plain`
+* `markdown`
+
+Plain is the default method of posting: GtS accepts some plain looking text, and converts it into some nice HTML by parsing links and mentions etc.
+
+Markdown is a more complex way of organizing text, which gives you more control over how your text is parsed and formatted.
+
+For more information on markdown, see [The Markdown Guide](https://www.markdownguide.org/).
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index d8a846ecf..bd7476d34 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -39,18 +39,15 @@ require (
 	github.com/oklog/ulid v1.3.1
 	github.com/onsi/gomega v1.14.0 // indirect
 	github.com/quasoft/memstore v0.0.0-20191010062613-2bce066d2b0b // indirect
-	github.com/russross/blackfriday/v2 v2.1.0 // indirect
+	github.com/russross/blackfriday/v2 v2.1.0
 	github.com/sirupsen/logrus v1.8.1
 	github.com/stretchr/testify v1.7.0
 	github.com/superseriousbusiness/exifremove v0.0.0-20210330092427-6acd27eac203
 	github.com/superseriousbusiness/oauth2/v4 v4.3.0-SSB
-	github.com/tidwall/btree v0.5.0 // indirect
 	github.com/tidwall/buntdb v1.2.4 // indirect
-	github.com/ugorji/go v1.2.6 // indirect
 	github.com/urfave/cli/v2 v2.3.0
 	github.com/vmihailenco/msgpack/v5 v5.3.4 // indirect
 	github.com/wagslane/go-password-validator v0.3.0
-	go.opentelemetry.io/otel v0.20.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210711020723-a769d52b0f97
 	golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20210628180205-a41e5a781914
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210630005230-0f9fa26af87c // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index ea208976b..731a659ef 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -54,8 +54,6 @@ github.com/cncf/udpa/go v0.0.0-20191209042840-269d4d468f6f/go.mod h1:M8M6+tZqaGX
 github.com/coreos/go-oidc/v3 v3.0.0 h1:/mAA0XMgYJw2Uqm7WKGCsKnjitE/+A0FFbOmiRJm7LQ=
 github.com/coreos/go-oidc/v3 v3.0.0/go.mod h1:rEJ/idjfUyfkBit1eI1fvyr+64/g9dcKpAm8MJMesvo=
 github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.0-20190314233015-f79a8a8ca69d/go.mod h1:maD7wRr/U5Z6m/iR4s+kqSMx2CaBsrgA7czyZG/E6dU=
-github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.0 h1:EoUDS0afbrsXAZ9YQ9jdu/mZ2sXgT1/2yyNng4PGlyM=
-github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.0/go.mod h1:maD7wRr/U5Z6m/iR4s+kqSMx2CaBsrgA7czyZG/E6dU=
 github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.1 h1:r/myEWzV9lfsM1tFLgDyu0atFtJ1fXn261LKYj/3DxU=
 github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.1/go.mod h1:tgQtvFlXSQOSOSIRvRPT7W67SCa46tRHOmNcaadrF8o=
 github.com/dave/jennifer v1.3.0/go.mod h1:fIb+770HOpJ2fmN9EPPKOqm1vMGhB+TwXKMZhrIygKg=
@@ -65,14 +63,10 @@ github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSs
 github.com/dgrijalva/jwt-go v3.2.0+incompatible h1:7qlOGliEKZXTDg6OTjfoBKDXWrumCAMpl/TFQ4/5kLM=
 github.com/dgrijalva/jwt-go v3.2.0+incompatible/go.mod h1:E3ru+11k8xSBh+hMPgOLZmtrrCbhqsmaPHjLKYnJCaQ=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif v0.0.0-20210131231135-d154f10435cc/go.mod h1:lOaOt7+UEppOgyvRy749v3do836U/hw0YVJNjoyPaEs=
-github.com/dsoprea/go-exif v0.0.0-20210512055020-8213cfabc61b h1:NSYszMk5S88hDGF0benZ9PolrCffN7Ojx0zFdWgStB4=
-github.com/dsoprea/go-exif v0.0.0-20210512055020-8213cfabc61b/go.mod h1:lOaOt7+UEppOgyvRy749v3do836U/hw0YVJNjoyPaEs=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif v0.0.0-20210625224831-a6301f85c82b h1:hoVHc4m/v8Al8mbWyvKJWr4Z37yM4QUSVh/NY6A5Sbc=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif v0.0.0-20210625224831-a6301f85c82b/go.mod h1:lOaOt7+UEppOgyvRy749v3do836U/hw0YVJNjoyPaEs=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v2 v2.0.0-20200321225314-640175a69fe4/go.mod h1:Lm2lMM2zx8p4a34ZemkaUV95AnMl4ZvLbCUbwOvLC2E=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v2 v2.0.0-20200604193436-ca8584a0e1c4/go.mod h1:9EXlPeHfblFFnwu5UOqmP2eoZfJyAZ2Ri/Vki33ajO0=
-github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v2 v2.0.0-20210512055020-8213cfabc61b h1:C0NJXglXQIT4SC7AItpV+RU36X98c46kZTVmDAVaBR8=
-github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v2 v2.0.0-20210512055020-8213cfabc61b/go.mod h1:oKrjk2kb3rAR5NbtSTLUMvMSbc+k8ZosI3MaVH47noc=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v2 v2.0.0-20210625224831-a6301f85c82b h1:8lVRnnni9zebcpjkrEXrEyxFpRWG/oTpWc2Y3giKomE=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v2 v2.0.0-20210625224831-a6301f85c82b/go.mod h1:oKrjk2kb3rAR5NbtSTLUMvMSbc+k8ZosI3MaVH47noc=
 github.com/dsoprea/go-exif/v3 v3.0.0-20200717053412-08f1b6708903/go.mod h1:0nsO1ce0mh5czxGeLo4+OCZ/C6Eo6ZlMWsz7rH/Gxv8=
@@ -117,12 +111,8 @@ github.com/gin-contrib/sessions v0.0.3/go.mod h1:8C/J6cad3Il1mWYYgtw0w+hqasmpvy2
 github.com/gin-contrib/sse v0.1.0 h1:Y/yl/+YNO8GZSjAhjMsSuLt29uWRFHdHYUb5lYOV9qE=
 github.com/gin-contrib/sse v0.1.0/go.mod h1:RHrZQHXnP2xjPF+u1gW/2HnVO7nvIa9PG3Gm+fLHvGI=
 github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.5.0/go.mod h1:Nd6IXA8m5kNZdNEHMBd93KT+mdY3+bewLgRvmCsR2Do=
-github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.7.2-0.20210713014419-caf280259327 h1:EmfUwtxCHkFWFqW5k1/WOhzA551SnPPIzIq5/dpeZFg=
-github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.7.2-0.20210713014419-caf280259327/go.mod h1:0rdnKJhj+oP5aTsm5iFhKbQaPXBz4q/pWndcoMneALE=
 github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.7.2-0.20210722225815-d4ca9a0fb121 h1:g8dxLBXSWxnEVZ+YqpDw30A4+bfscDZrqqS+JSt7dsY=
 github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.7.2-0.20210722225815-d4ca9a0fb121/go.mod h1:0rdnKJhj+oP5aTsm5iFhKbQaPXBz4q/pWndcoMneALE=
-github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.7.2 h1:Tg03T9yM2xa8j6I3Z3oqLaQRSmKvxPd6g/2HJ6zICFA=
-github.com/gin-gonic/gin v1.7.2/go.mod h1:jD2toBW3GZUr5UMcdrwQA10I7RuaFOl/SGeDjXkfUtY=
 github.com/globalsign/mgo v0.0.0-20181015135952-eeefdecb41b8/go.mod h1:xkRDCp4j0OGD1HRkm4kmhM+pmpv3AKq5SU7GMg4oO/Q=
 github.com/go-errors/errors v1.0.1/go.mod h1:f4zRHt4oKfwPJE5k8C9vpYG+aDHdBFUsgrm6/TyX73Q=
 github.com/go-errors/errors v1.0.2/go.mod h1:psDX2osz5VnTOnFWbDeWwS7yejl+uV3FEWEp4lssFEs=
@@ -140,8 +130,6 @@ github.com/go-gl/glfw/v3.3/glfw v0.0.0-20200222043503-6f7a984d4dc4/go.mod h1:tQ2
 github.com/go-pg/pg/extra/pgdebug v0.2.0 h1:t62UhMiV6KYAxSWojwIJiyX06TdepkzCeIzdeb00184=
 github.com/go-pg/pg/extra/pgdebug v0.2.0/go.mod h1:KmW//PLshMAQunfInLv9mFIbYXuGplOY9bc6qo3CaY0=
 github.com/go-pg/pg/v10 v10.6.2/go.mod h1:BfgPoQnD2wXNd986RYEHzikqv9iE875PrFaZ9vXvtNM=
-github.com/go-pg/pg/v10 v10.9.3 h1:xq2IT7DH/E6k8URkMrVY8iMF6gw5c+0fQglkdZJ9q0g=
-github.com/go-pg/pg/v10 v10.9.3/go.mod h1:oBFhvl5LgiEdTaZRjBfrq9fp5fUSmKZnh1pPa6JOHBQ=
 github.com/go-pg/pg/v10 v10.10.3 h1:WobSfk5I+v7XwD1h9x2B7n4slDzjdBIonJ5PID95Aag=
 github.com/go-pg/pg/v10 v10.10.3/go.mod h1:EmoJGYErc+stNN/1Jf+o4csXuprjxcRztBnn6cHe38E=
 github.com/go-pg/zerochecker v0.2.0 h1:pp7f72c3DobMWOb2ErtZsnrPaSvHd2W4o9//8HtF4mU=
@@ -154,8 +142,6 @@ github.com/go-playground/locales v0.13.0/go.mod h1:taPMhCMXrRLJO55olJkUXHZBHCxTM
 github.com/go-playground/universal-translator v0.16.0/go.mod h1:1AnU7NaIRDWWzGEKwgtJRd2xk99HeFyHw3yid4rvQIY=
 github.com/go-playground/universal-translator v0.17.0 h1:icxd5fm+REJzpZx7ZfpaD876Lmtgy7VtROAbHHXk8no=
 github.com/go-playground/universal-translator v0.17.0/go.mod h1:UkSxE5sNxxRwHyU+Scu5vgOQjsIJAF8j9muTVoKLVtA=
-github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.4.1/go.mod h1:nlOn6nFhuKACm19sB/8EGNn9GlaMV7XkbRSipzJ0Ii4=
-github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.6.1 h1:W6TRDXt4WcWp4c4nf/G+6BkGdhiIo0k417gfr+V6u4I=
 github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.6.1/go.mod h1:xm76BBt941f7yWdGnI2DVPFFg1UK3YY04qifoXU3lOk=
 github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.7.0 h1:gLi5ajTBBheLNt0ctewgq7eolXoDALQd5/y90Hh9ZgM=
 github.com/go-playground/validator/v10 v10.7.0/go.mod h1:xm76BBt941f7yWdGnI2DVPFFg1UK3YY04qifoXU3lOk=
@@ -181,8 +167,6 @@ github.com/golang/mock v1.4.0/go.mod h1:UOMv5ysSaYNkG+OFQykRIcU/QvvxJf3p21QfJ2Bt
 github.com/golang/mock v1.4.1/go.mod h1:UOMv5ysSaYNkG+OFQykRIcU/QvvxJf3p21QfJ2Bt3cw=
 github.com/golang/mock v1.4.3/go.mod h1:UOMv5ysSaYNkG+OFQykRIcU/QvvxJf3p21QfJ2Bt3cw=
 github.com/golang/mock v1.4.4/go.mod h1:l3mdAwkq5BuhzHwde/uurv3sEJeZMXNpwsxVWU71h+4=
-github.com/golang/mock v1.5.0 h1:jlYHihg//f7RRwuPfptm04yp4s7O6Kw8EZiVYIGcH0g=
-github.com/golang/mock v1.5.0/go.mod h1:CWnOUgYIOo4TcNZ0wHX3YZCqsaM1I1Jvs6v3mP3KVu8=
 github.com/golang/mock v1.6.0 h1:ErTB+efbowRARo13NNdxyJji2egdxLGQhRaY+DUumQc=
 github.com/golang/mock v1.6.0/go.mod h1:p6yTPP+5HYm5mzsMV8JkE6ZKdX+/wYM6Hr+LicevLPs=
 github.com/golang/protobuf v1.2.0/go.mod h1:6lQm79b+lXiMfvg/cZm0SGofjICqVBUtrP5yJMmIC1U=
@@ -229,8 +213,6 @@ github.com/google/pprof v0.0.0-20200430221834-fc25d7d30c6d/go.mod h1:ZgVRPoUq/hf
 github.com/google/pprof v0.0.0-20200708004538-1a94d8640e99/go.mod h1:ZgVRPoUq/hfqzAqh7sHMqb3I9Rq5C59dIz2SbBwJ4eM=
 github.com/google/renameio v0.1.0/go.mod h1:KWCgfxg9yswjAJkECMjeO8J8rahYeXnNhOm40UhjYkI=
 github.com/google/uuid v1.1.1/go.mod h1:TIyPZe4MgqvfeYDBFedMoGGpEw/LqOeaOT+nhxU+yHo=
-github.com/google/uuid v1.2.0 h1:qJYtXnJRWmpe7m/3XlyhrsLrEURqHRM2kxzoxXqyUDs=
-github.com/google/uuid v1.2.0/go.mod h1:TIyPZe4MgqvfeYDBFedMoGGpEw/LqOeaOT+nhxU+yHo=
 github.com/google/uuid v1.3.0 h1:t6JiXgmwXMjEs8VusXIJk2BXHsn+wx8BZdTaoZ5fu7I=
 github.com/google/uuid v1.3.0/go.mod h1:TIyPZe4MgqvfeYDBFedMoGGpEw/LqOeaOT+nhxU+yHo=
 github.com/googleapis/gax-go/v2 v2.0.4/go.mod h1:0Wqv26UfaUD9n4G6kQubkQ+KchISgw+vpHVxEJEs9eg=
@@ -312,14 +294,11 @@ github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.6.0/go.mod h1:lLunBs/Ym6LB5Z9jYTR76FiuTmxDTDusOGeTQH+W
 github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.12.1/go.mod h1:zj2OWP4+oCPe1qIXoGWkgMRwljMUYCdkwsT2108oapk=
 github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.13.0/go.mod h1:+REjRxOmWfHCjfv9TTWB1jD1Frx4XydAD3zm1lskyM0=
 github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.14.2/go.mod h1:iSB4RoI2tjJc9BBv4NKIKWKya62Rps+oPG/Lv9klQyY=
-github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.16.2 h1:HFB2fbVIlhIfCfOW81bZFbiC/RvnpXSdhbF2/DJr134=
-github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.16.2/go.mod h1:CObGmKUOKaSC0RjmoAK7tKyn4Azo5P2IWuoMnvwxz1E=
+github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.16.4 h1:29JGrr5oVBm5ulCWet69zQkzWipVXIol6ygQUe/EzNc=
 github.com/onsi/ginkgo v1.16.4/go.mod h1:dX+/inL/fNMqNlz0e9LfyB9TswhZpCVdJM/Z6Vvnwo0=
 github.com/onsi/gomega v1.7.1/go.mod h1:XdKZgCCFLUoM/7CFJVPcG8C1xQ1AJ0vpAezJrB7JYyY=
 github.com/onsi/gomega v1.10.1/go.mod h1:iN09h71vgCQne3DLsj+A5owkum+a2tYe+TOCB1ybHNo=
 github.com/onsi/gomega v1.10.3/go.mod h1:V9xEwhxec5O8UDM77eCW8vLymOMltsqPVYWrpDsH8xc=
-github.com/onsi/gomega v1.13.0 h1:7lLHu94wT9Ij0o6EWWclhu0aOh32VxhkwEJvzuWPeak=
-github.com/onsi/gomega v1.13.0/go.mod h1:lRk9szgn8TxENtWd0Tp4c3wjlRfMTMH27I+3Je41yGY=
 github.com/onsi/gomega v1.14.0 h1:ep6kpPVwmr/nTbklSx2nrLNSIO62DoYAhnPNIMhK8gI=
 github.com/onsi/gomega v1.14.0/go.mod h1:cIuvLEne0aoVhAgh/O6ac0Op8WWw9H6eYCriF+tEHG0=
 github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0 h1:4DBwDE0NGyQoBHbLQYPwSUPoCMWR5BEzIk/f1lZbAQM=
@@ -342,7 +321,6 @@ github.com/smartystreets/assertions v0.0.0-20180927180507-b2de0cb4f26d h1:zE9ykE
 github.com/smartystreets/assertions v0.0.0-20180927180507-b2de0cb4f26d/go.mod h1:OnSkiWE9lh6wB0YB77sQom3nweQdgAjqCqsofrRNTgc=
 github.com/smartystreets/goconvey v1.6.4 h1:fv0U8FUIMPNf1L9lnHLvLhgicrIVChEkdzIKYqbNC9s=
 github.com/smartystreets/goconvey v1.6.4/go.mod h1:syvi0/a8iFYH4r/RixwvyeAJjdLS9QV7WQ/tjFTllLA=
-github.com/stretchr/objx v0.1.0 h1:4G4v2dO3VZwixGIRoQ5Lfboy6nUhCyYzaqnIAPPhYs4=
 github.com/stretchr/objx v0.1.0/go.mod h1:HFkY916IF+rwdDfMAkV7OtwuqBVzrE8GR6GFx+wExME=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.2.2/go.mod h1:a8OnRcib4nhh0OaRAV+Yts87kKdq0PP7pXfy6kDkUVs=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.3.0/go.mod h1:M5WIy9Dh21IEIfnGCwXGc5bZfKNJtfHm1UVUgZn+9EI=
@@ -356,23 +334,16 @@ github.com/superseriousbusiness/exifremove v0.0.0-20210330092427-6acd27eac203/go
 github.com/superseriousbusiness/oauth2/v4 v4.3.0-SSB h1:dzMVC+oPTxFL5cv29egBrftlqIWPXQ6/VzkuoySwgm4=
 github.com/superseriousbusiness/oauth2/v4 v4.3.0-SSB/go.mod h1:8p0a/BEN9hhsGzE3tPaFFlIZgxAaLyLN5KY0bPg9ZBc=
 github.com/tidwall/btree v0.0.0-20191029221954-400434d76274/go.mod h1:huei1BkDWJ3/sLXmO+bsCNELL+Bp2Kks9OLyQFkzvA8=
-github.com/tidwall/btree v0.4.2/go.mod h1:huei1BkDWJ3/sLXmO+bsCNELL+Bp2Kks9OLyQFkzvA8=
 github.com/tidwall/btree v0.5.0 h1:IBfCtOj4uOMQcodv3wzYVo0zPqSJObm71mE039/dlXY=
 github.com/tidwall/btree v0.5.0/go.mod h1:TzIRzen6yHbibdSfK6t8QimqbUnoxUSrZfeW7Uob0q4=
 github.com/tidwall/buntdb v1.1.2/go.mod h1:xAzi36Hir4FarpSHyfuZ6JzPJdjRZ8QlLZSntE2mqlI=
-github.com/tidwall/buntdb v1.2.3 h1:AoGVe4yrhKmnEPHrPrW5EUOATHOCIk4VtFvd8xn/ZtU=
-github.com/tidwall/buntdb v1.2.3/go.mod h1:+i/gBwYOHWG19wLgwMXFLkl00twh9+VWkkaOhuNQ4PA=
 github.com/tidwall/buntdb v1.2.4 h1:G0Qz2pV+gdxyXGCa+ARZUAE4TEljz4OaGUl8/7xEMyM=
 github.com/tidwall/buntdb v1.2.4/go.mod h1:RLySCmKeFqn8PW6jU4HQ6yLvA++kunwIwjkR9hv5hB8=
 github.com/tidwall/gjson v1.3.4/go.mod h1:P256ACg0Mn+j1RXIDXoss50DeIABTYK1PULOJHhxOls=
 github.com/tidwall/gjson v1.6.0/go.mod h1:P256ACg0Mn+j1RXIDXoss50DeIABTYK1PULOJHhxOls=
-github.com/tidwall/gjson v1.7.4 h1:19cchw8FOxkG5mdLRkGf9jqIqEyqdZhPqW60XfyFxk8=
-github.com/tidwall/gjson v1.7.4/go.mod h1:5/xDoumyyDNerp2U36lyolv46b3uF/9Bu6OfyQ9GImk=
 github.com/tidwall/gjson v1.8.0 h1:Qt+orfosKn0rbNTZqHYDqBrmm3UDA4KRkv70fDzG+PQ=
 github.com/tidwall/gjson v1.8.0/go.mod h1:5/xDoumyyDNerp2U36lyolv46b3uF/9Bu6OfyQ9GImk=
 github.com/tidwall/grect v0.0.0-20161006141115-ba9a043346eb/go.mod h1:lKYYLFIr9OIgdgrtgkZ9zgRxRdvPYsExnYBsEAd8W5M=
-github.com/tidwall/grect v0.1.1 h1:+kMEkxhoqB7rniVXzMEIA66XwU07STgINqxh+qVIndY=
-github.com/tidwall/grect v0.1.1/go.mod h1:CzvbGiFbWUwiJ1JohXLb28McpyBsI00TK9Y6pDWLGRQ=
 github.com/tidwall/grect v0.1.2 h1:wKVeQVZhjaFCKTTlpkDe3Ex4ko3cMGW3MRKawRe8uQ4=
 github.com/tidwall/grect v0.1.2/go.mod h1:v+n4ewstPGduVJebcp5Eh2WXBJBumNzyhK8GZt4gHNw=
 github.com/tidwall/lotsa v1.0.2/go.mod h1:X6NiU+4yHA3fE3Puvpnn1XMDrFZrE9JO2/w+UMuqgR8=
@@ -442,14 +413,6 @@ go.opencensus.io v0.22.2/go.mod h1:yxeiOL68Rb0Xd1ddK5vPZ/oVn4vY4Ynel7k9FzqtOIw=
 go.opencensus.io v0.22.3/go.mod h1:yxeiOL68Rb0Xd1ddK5vPZ/oVn4vY4Ynel7k9FzqtOIw=
 go.opencensus.io v0.22.4/go.mod h1:yxeiOL68Rb0Xd1ddK5vPZ/oVn4vY4Ynel7k9FzqtOIw=
 go.opentelemetry.io/otel v0.13.0/go.mod h1:dlSNewoRYikTkotEnxdmuBHgzT+k/idJSfDv/FxEnOY=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel v0.20.0 h1:eaP0Fqu7SXHwvjiqDq83zImeehOHX8doTvU9AwXON8g=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel v0.20.0/go.mod h1:Y3ugLH2oa81t5QO+Lty+zXf8zC9L26ax4Nzoxm/dooo=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel/metric v0.20.0 h1:4kzhXFP+btKm4jwxpjIqjs41A7MakRFUS86bqLHTIw8=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel/metric v0.20.0/go.mod h1:598I5tYlH1vzBjn+BTuhzTCSb/9debfNp6R3s7Pr1eU=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel/oteltest v0.20.0 h1:HiITxCawalo5vQzdHfKeZurV8x7ljcqAgiWzF6Vaeaw=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel/oteltest v0.20.0/go.mod h1:L7bgKf9ZB7qCwT9Up7i9/pn0PWIa9FqQ2IQ8LoxiGnw=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel/trace v0.20.0 h1:1DL6EXUdcg95gukhuRRvLDO/4X5THh/5dIV52lqtnbw=
-go.opentelemetry.io/otel/trace v0.20.0/go.mod h1:6GjCW8zgDjwGHGa6GkyeB8+/5vjT16gUEi0Nf1iBdgw=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20180527072434-ab813273cd59/go.mod h1:6SG95UA2DQfeDnfUPMdvaQW0Q7yPrPDi9nlGo2tz2b4=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20180910181607-0e37d006457b/go.mod h1:6SG95UA2DQfeDnfUPMdvaQW0Q7yPrPDi9nlGo2tz2b4=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20190308221718-c2843e01d9a2/go.mod h1:djNgcEr1/C05ACkg1iLfiJU5Ep61QUkGW8qpdssI0+w=
@@ -459,8 +422,6 @@ golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20191011191535-87dc89f01550/go.mod h1:yigFU9vqHzYiE8U
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20200622213623-75b288015ac9/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20201012173705-84dcc777aaee/go.mod h1:LzIPMQfyMNhhGPhUkYOs5KpL4U8rLKemX1yGLhDgUto=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210421170649-83a5a9bb288b/go.mod h1:T9bdIzuCu7OtxOm1hfPfRQxPLYneinmdGuTeoZ9dtd4=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210513164829-c07d793c2f9a h1:kr2P4QFmQr29mSLA43kwrOcgcReGTfbE9N577tCTuBc=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210513164829-c07d793c2f9a/go.mod h1:P+XmwS30IXTQdn5tA2iutPOUgjI07+tq3H3K9MVA1s8=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210711020723-a769d52b0f97 h1:/UOmuWzQfxxo9UtlXMwuQU8CMgg1eZXqTRwkSQJWKOI=
 golang.org/x/crypto v0.0.0-20210711020723-a769d52b0f97/go.mod h1:GvvjBRRGRdwPK5ydBHafDWAxML/pGHZbMvKqRZ5+Abc=
 golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20190121172915-509febef88a4/go.mod h1:CJ0aWSM057203Lf6IL+f9T1iT9GByDxfZKAQTCR3kQA=
@@ -536,7 +497,6 @@ golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20180821212333-d2e6202438be/go.mod h1:N/0e6XlmueqKjAG
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20190226205417-e64efc72b421/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4IltrdGE7lF6nIHvwfUNPOp7c8zoXwtLw=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20190604053449-0f29369cfe45/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4IltrdGE7lF6nIHvwfUNPOp7c8zoXwtLw=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20191202225959-858c2ad4c8b6/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4IltrdGE7lF6nIHvwfUNPOp7c8zoXwtLw=
-golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20200107190931-bf48bf16ab8d h1:TzXSXBo42m9gQenoE3b9BGiEpg5IG2JkU5FkPIawgtw=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20200107190931-bf48bf16ab8d/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4IltrdGE7lF6nIHvwfUNPOp7c8zoXwtLw=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20210628180205-a41e5a781914 h1:3B43BWw0xEBsLZ/NO1VALz6fppU3481pik+2Ksv45z8=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20210628180205-a41e5a781914/go.mod h1:KelEdhl1UZF7XfJ4dDtk6s++YSgaE7mD/BuKKDLBl4A=
@@ -593,8 +553,6 @@ golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210330210617-4fbd30eecc44/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7w
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210423082822-04245dca01da/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210423185535-09eb48e85fd7/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210510120138-977fb7262007/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBck5+mAzfO9JrbApNNgaTdGDITg=
-golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210525143221-35b2ab0089ea h1:+WiDlPBBaO+h9vPNZi8uJ3k4BkKQB7Iow3aqwHVA5hI=
-golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210525143221-35b2ab0089ea/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBck5+mAzfO9JrbApNNgaTdGDITg=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210615035016-665e8c7367d1/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBck5+mAzfO9JrbApNNgaTdGDITg=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210630005230-0f9fa26af87c h1:F1jZWGFhYfh0Ci55sIpILtKKK8p3i2/krTr0H1rg74I=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210630005230-0f9fa26af87c/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBck5+mAzfO9JrbApNNgaTdGDITg=
diff --git a/internal/api/model/status.go b/internal/api/model/status.go
index 963ef4f86..ef96568c4 100644
--- a/internal/api/model/status.go
+++ b/internal/api/model/status.go
@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ type StatusCreateRequest struct {
 	ScheduledAt string `form:"scheduled_at" json:"scheduled_at" xml:"scheduled_at"`
 	// ISO 639 language code for this status.
 	Language string `form:"language" json:"language" xml:"language"`
+	// Format in which to parse the submitted status.
+	// Can be either plain or markdown. Empty will default to plain.
+	Format StatusFormat `form:"format" json:"format" xml:"format"`
 }
 
 // Visibility denotes the visibility of this status to other users
@@ -140,3 +143,15 @@ type AdvancedVisibilityFlagsForm struct {
 	// This status can be liked/faved
 	Likeable *bool `form:"likeable" json:"likeable" xml:"likeable"`
 }
+
+// StatusFormat determines what kind of format a submitted status should be parsed in
+type StatusFormat string
+
+// StatusFormatPlain expects a plaintext status which will then be formatted into html.
+const StatusFormatPlain StatusFormat = "plain"
+
+// StatusFormatMarkdown expects a markdown formatted status, which will then be formatted into html.
+const StatusFormatMarkdown StatusFormat = "markdown"
+
+// StatusFormatDefault is the format that should be used when nothing else is specified.
+const StatusFormatDefault StatusFormat = StatusFormatPlain
diff --git a/internal/processing/account/create.go b/internal/processing/account/create.go
index 58ac0e43c..83e76973d 100644
--- a/internal/processing/account/create.go
+++ b/internal/processing/account/create.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import (
 
 	apimodel "github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/api/model"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/oauth2/v4"
 )
 
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func (p *processor) Create(applicationToken oauth2.TokenInfo, application *gtsmo
 	}
 
 	l.Trace("creating new username and account")
-	user, err := p.db.NewSignup(form.Username, util.RemoveHTML(reason), p.config.AccountsConfig.RequireApproval, form.Email, form.Password, form.IP, form.Locale, application.ID, false, false)
+	user, err := p.db.NewSignup(form.Username, text.RemoveHTML(reason), p.config.AccountsConfig.RequireApproval, form.Email, form.Password, form.IP, form.Locale, application.ID, false, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error creating new signup in the database: %s", err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/processing/account/update.go b/internal/processing/account/update.go
index fbe29ac86..df842bacd 100644
--- a/internal/processing/account/update.go
+++ b/internal/processing/account/update.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	apimodel "github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/api/model"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/media"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
 )
 
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ func (p *processor) Update(account *gtsmodel.Account, form *apimodel.UpdateCrede
 		if err := util.ValidateDisplayName(*form.DisplayName); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		displayName := util.RemoveHTML(*form.DisplayName) // no html allowed in display name
+		displayName := text.RemoveHTML(*form.DisplayName) // no html allowed in display name
 		if err := p.db.UpdateOneByID(account.ID, "display_name", displayName, &gtsmodel.Account{}); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ func (p *processor) Update(account *gtsmodel.Account, form *apimodel.UpdateCrede
 		if err := util.ValidateNote(*form.Note); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		note := util.SanitizeHTML(*form.Note) // html OK in note but sanitize it
+		note := text.SanitizeHTML(*form.Note) // html OK in note but sanitize it
 		if err := p.db.UpdateOneByID(account.ID, "note", note, &gtsmodel.Account{}); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/internal/processing/admin/createdomainblock.go b/internal/processing/admin/createdomainblock.go
index 78c830a43..df02cef94 100644
--- a/internal/processing/admin/createdomainblock.go
+++ b/internal/processing/admin/createdomainblock.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/id"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 )
 
 func (p *processor) DomainBlockCreate(account *gtsmodel.Account, domain string, obfuscate bool, publicComment string, privateComment string, subscriptionID string) (*apimodel.DomainBlock, gtserror.WithCode) {
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ func (p *processor) DomainBlockCreate(account *gtsmodel.Account, domain string,
 			ID:                 blockID,
 			Domain:             domain,
 			CreatedByAccountID: account.ID,
-			PrivateComment:     util.RemoveHTML(privateComment),
-			PublicComment:      util.RemoveHTML(publicComment),
+			PrivateComment:     text.RemoveHTML(privateComment),
+			PublicComment:      text.RemoveHTML(publicComment),
 			Obfuscate:          obfuscate,
 			SubscriptionID:     subscriptionID,
 		}
diff --git a/internal/processing/instance.go b/internal/processing/instance.go
index 962b841a6..89f60f5d4 100644
--- a/internal/processing/instance.go
+++ b/internal/processing/instance.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
 )
 
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ func (p *processor) InstancePatch(form *apimodel.InstanceSettingsUpdateRequest)
 		if err := util.ValidateSiteTitle(*form.Title); err != nil {
 			return nil, gtserror.NewErrorBadRequest(err, fmt.Sprintf("site title invalid: %s", err))
 		}
-		i.Title = util.RemoveHTML(*form.Title) // don't allow html in site title
+		i.Title = text.RemoveHTML(*form.Title) // don't allow html in site title
 	}
 
 	// validate & update site contact account if it's set on the form
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ func (p *processor) InstancePatch(form *apimodel.InstanceSettingsUpdateRequest)
 		if err := util.ValidateSiteShortDescription(*form.ShortDescription); err != nil {
 			return nil, gtserror.NewErrorBadRequest(err, err.Error())
 		}
-		i.ShortDescription = util.SanitizeHTML(*form.ShortDescription) // html is OK in site description, but we should sanitize it
+		i.ShortDescription = text.SanitizeHTML(*form.ShortDescription) // html is OK in site description, but we should sanitize it
 	}
 
 	// validate & update site description if it's set on the form
@@ -118,7 +119,7 @@ func (p *processor) InstancePatch(form *apimodel.InstanceSettingsUpdateRequest)
 		if err := util.ValidateSiteDescription(*form.Description); err != nil {
 			return nil, gtserror.NewErrorBadRequest(err, err.Error())
 		}
-		i.Description = util.SanitizeHTML(*form.Description) // html is OK in site description, but we should sanitize it
+		i.Description = text.SanitizeHTML(*form.Description) // html is OK in site description, but we should sanitize it
 	}
 
 	// validate & update site terms if it's set on the form
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ func (p *processor) InstancePatch(form *apimodel.InstanceSettingsUpdateRequest)
 		if err := util.ValidateSiteTerms(*form.Terms); err != nil {
 			return nil, gtserror.NewErrorBadRequest(err, err.Error())
 		}
-		i.Terms = util.SanitizeHTML(*form.Terms) // html is OK in site terms, but we should sanitize it
+		i.Terms = text.SanitizeHTML(*form.Terms) // html is OK in site terms, but we should sanitize it
 	}
 
 	// process avatar if provided
diff --git a/internal/processing/media/create.go b/internal/processing/media/create.go
index baf9f2918..5b8cdf604 100644
--- a/internal/processing/media/create.go
+++ b/internal/processing/media/create.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import (
 
 	apimodel "github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/api/model"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 )
 
 func (p *processor) Create(account *gtsmodel.Account, form *apimodel.AttachmentRequest) (*apimodel.Attachment, error) {
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func (p *processor) Create(account *gtsmodel.Account, form *apimodel.AttachmentR
 	// TODO: handle this inside mediaHandler.ProcessAttachment (just pass more params to it)
 
 	// first description
-	attachment.Description = util.RemoveHTML(form.Description) // remove any HTML from the image description
+	attachment.Description = text.RemoveHTML(form.Description) // remove any HTML from the image description
 
 	// now parse the focus parameter
 	focusx, focusy, err := parseFocus(form.Focus)
diff --git a/internal/processing/media/update.go b/internal/processing/media/update.go
index b5ffc77d8..28f3a26f6 100644
--- a/internal/processing/media/update.go
+++ b/internal/processing/media/update.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
-	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 )
 
 func (p *processor) Update(account *gtsmodel.Account, mediaAttachmentID string, form *apimodel.AttachmentUpdateRequest) (*apimodel.Attachment, gtserror.WithCode) {
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func (p *processor) Update(account *gtsmodel.Account, mediaAttachmentID string,
 	}
 
 	if form.Description != nil {
-		attachment.Description = util.RemoveHTML(*form.Description)
+		attachment.Description = text.RemoveHTML(*form.Description)
 		if err := p.db.UpdateByID(mediaAttachmentID, attachment); err != nil {
 			return nil, gtserror.NewErrorInternalError(fmt.Errorf("database error updating description: %s", err))
 		}
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/create.go b/internal/processing/status/create.go
index 37d7e6aab..7480efd60 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/create.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/create.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/id"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/util"
 )
 
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ func (p *processor) Create(account *gtsmodel.Account, application *gtsmodel.Appl
 		Local:                    true,
 		AccountID:                account.ID,
 		AccountURI:               account.URI,
-		ContentWarning:           util.RemoveHTML(form.SpoilerText),
+		ContentWarning:           text.RemoveHTML(form.SpoilerText),
 		ActivityStreamsType:      gtsmodel.ActivityStreamsNote,
 		Sensitive:                form.Sensitive,
 		Language:                 form.Language,
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/status.go b/internal/processing/status/status.go
index d83c325fd..0073e254b 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/status.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/status.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtserror"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/text"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/typeutils"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/visibility"
 )
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ type processor struct {
 	config        *config.Config
 	db            db.DB
 	filter        visibility.Filter
+	formatter     text.Formatter
 	fromClientAPI chan gtsmodel.FromClientAPI
 	log           *logrus.Logger
 }
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ func New(db db.DB, tc typeutils.TypeConverter, config *config.Config, fromClient
 		config:        config,
 		db:            db,
 		filter:        visibility.NewFilter(db, log),
+		formatter:     text.NewFormatter(config, db, log),
 		fromClientAPI: fromClientAPI,
 		log:           log,
 	}
diff --git a/internal/processing/status/util.go b/internal/processing/status/util.go
index eb83babb0..b4d115f8d 100644
--- a/internal/processing/status/util.go
+++ b/internal/processing/status/util.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package status
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"strings"
 
 	apimodel "github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/api/model"
 	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
@@ -238,36 +237,28 @@ func (p *processor) processEmojis(form *apimodel.AdvancedStatusCreateForm, accou
 }
 
 func (p *processor) processContent(form *apimodel.AdvancedStatusCreateForm, accountID string, status *gtsmodel.Status) error {
+	// if there's nothing in the status at all we can just return early
 	if form.Status == "" {
 		status.Content = ""
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// surround the whole status in '<p>'
-	content := fmt.Sprintf(`<p>%s</p>`, form.Status)
-
-	// format mentions nicely
-	for _, menchie := range status.GTSMentions {
-		targetAccount := &gtsmodel.Account{}
-		if err := p.db.GetByID(menchie.TargetAccountID, targetAccount); err == nil {
-			mentionContent := fmt.Sprintf(`<span class="h-card"><a href="%s" class="u-url mention">@<span>%s</span></a></span>`, targetAccount.URL, targetAccount.Username)
-			content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, menchie.NameString, mentionContent)
-		}
+	// if format wasn't specified we should set the default
+	if form.Format == "" {
+		form.Format = apimodel.StatusFormatDefault
 	}
 
-	// format tags nicely
-	for _, tag := range status.GTSTags {
-		tagContent := fmt.Sprintf(`<a href="%s" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>%s</span></a>`, tag.URL, tag.Name)
-		content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, fmt.Sprintf("#%s", tag.Name), tagContent)
+	// parse content out of the status depending on what format has been submitted
+	var content string
+	switch form.Format {
+	case apimodel.StatusFormatPlain:
+		content = p.formatter.FromPlain(form.Status, status.GTSMentions, status.GTSTags)
+	case apimodel.StatusFormatMarkdown:
+		content = p.formatter.FromMarkdown(form.Status, status.GTSMentions, status.GTSTags)
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("format %s not recognised as a valid status format", form.Format)
 	}
 
-	// replace newlines with breaks
-	content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, "\n", "<br />")
-
-	// sanitize html to remove any dodgy scripts or other disallowed elements
-	clean := util.SanitizeHTML(content)
-
-	// set the content as the shiny clean parsed content
-	status.Content = clean
+	status.Content = content
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/text/common.go b/internal/text/common.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0165af630
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/text/common.go
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/*
+   GoToSocial
+   Copyright (C) 2021 GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+
+   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+   it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+   (at your option) any later version.
+
+   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package text
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// preformat contains some common logic for making a string ready for formatting, which should be used for all user-input text.
+func preformat(in string) string {
+	// do some preformatting of the text
+	// 1. Trim all the whitespace
+	s := strings.TrimSpace(in)
+	return s
+}
+
+// postformat contains some common logic for html sanitization of text, wrapping elements, and trimming newlines and whitespace
+func postformat(in string) string {
+	// do some postformatting of the text
+	// 1. sanitize html to remove any dodgy scripts or other disallowed elements
+	s := SanitizeHTML(in)
+	// 2. wrap the whole thing in a paragraph
+	s = fmt.Sprintf(`<p>%s</p>`, s)
+	// 3. remove any cheeky newlines
+	s = strings.ReplaceAll(s, "\n", "")
+	// 4. remove any whitespace added as a result of the formatting
+	s = strings.TrimSpace(s)
+	return s
+}
diff --git a/internal/text/formatter.go b/internal/text/formatter.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f8cca6675
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/text/formatter.go
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+/*
+   GoToSocial
+   Copyright (C) 2021 GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+
+   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+   it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+   (at your option) any later version.
+
+   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package text
+
+import (
+	"github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/config"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/db"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+)
+
+// Formatter wraps some logic and functions for parsing statuses and other text input into nice html.
+type Formatter interface {
+	// FromMarkdown parses an HTML text from a markdown-formatted text.
+	FromMarkdown(md string, mentions []*gtsmodel.Mention, tags []*gtsmodel.Tag) string
+	// FromPlain parses an HTML text from a plaintext.
+	FromPlain(plain string, mentions []*gtsmodel.Mention, tags []*gtsmodel.Tag) string
+}
+
+type formatter struct {
+	cfg *config.Config
+	db  db.DB
+	log *logrus.Logger
+}
+
+// NewFormatter returns a new Formatter interface for parsing statuses and other text input into nice html.
+func NewFormatter(cfg *config.Config, db db.DB, log *logrus.Logger) Formatter {
+	return &formatter{
+		cfg: cfg,
+		db:  db,
+		log: log,
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/text/markdown.go b/internal/text/markdown.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d1309f389
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/text/markdown.go
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+/*
+   GoToSocial
+   Copyright (C) 2021 GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+
+   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+   it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+   (at your option) any later version.
+
+   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package text
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/russross/blackfriday/v2"
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+)
+
+var bfExtensions = blackfriday.NoIntraEmphasis |
+	blackfriday.FencedCode |
+	blackfriday.Autolink |
+	blackfriday.Strikethrough |
+	blackfriday.SpaceHeadings |
+	blackfriday.BackslashLineBreak
+
+func (f *formatter) FromMarkdown(md string, mentions []*gtsmodel.Mention, tags []*gtsmodel.Tag) string {
+	content := preformat(md)
+
+	// do the markdown parsing *first*
+	content = string(blackfriday.Run([]byte(content), blackfriday.WithExtensions(bfExtensions)))
+
+	// format mentions nicely
+	for _, menchie := range mentions {
+		targetAccount := &gtsmodel.Account{}
+		if err := f.db.GetByID(menchie.TargetAccountID, targetAccount); err == nil {
+			mentionContent := fmt.Sprintf(`<span class="h-card"><a href="%s" class="u-url mention">@<span>%s</span></a></span>`, targetAccount.URL, targetAccount.Username)
+			content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, menchie.NameString, mentionContent)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// format tags nicely
+	for _, tag := range tags {
+		tagContent := fmt.Sprintf(`<a href="%s" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>%s</span></a>`, tag.URL, tag.Name)
+		content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, fmt.Sprintf("#%s", tag.Name), tagContent)
+	}
+
+	return postformat(content)
+}
diff --git a/internal/text/plain.go b/internal/text/plain.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..24ef16f8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/text/plain.go
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/*
+   GoToSocial
+   Copyright (C) 2021 GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+
+   This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+   it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+   the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+   (at your option) any later version.
+
+   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package text
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/superseriousbusiness/gotosocial/internal/gtsmodel"
+)
+
+func (f *formatter) FromPlain(plain string, mentions []*gtsmodel.Mention, tags []*gtsmodel.Tag) string {
+	content := preformat(plain)
+
+	// format mentions nicely
+	for _, menchie := range mentions {
+		targetAccount := &gtsmodel.Account{}
+		if err := f.db.GetByID(menchie.TargetAccountID, targetAccount); err == nil {
+			mentionContent := fmt.Sprintf(`<span class="h-card"><a href="%s" class="u-url mention">@<span>%s</span></a></span>`, targetAccount.URL, targetAccount.Username)
+			content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, menchie.NameString, mentionContent)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// format tags nicely
+	for _, tag := range tags {
+		tagContent := fmt.Sprintf(`<a href="%s" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>%s</span></a>`, tag.URL, tag.Name)
+		content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, fmt.Sprintf("#%s", tag.Name), tagContent)
+	}
+
+	// replace newlines with breaks
+	content = strings.ReplaceAll(content, "\n", "<br />")
+
+	return postformat(content)
+}
diff --git a/internal/util/sanitize.go b/internal/text/sanitize.go
similarity index 99%
rename from internal/util/sanitize.go
rename to internal/text/sanitize.go
index ac1f4c651..aac9d8aab 100644
--- a/internal/util/sanitize.go
+++ b/internal/text/sanitize.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 */
 
-package util
+package text
 
 import (
 	"github.com/microcosm-cc/bluemonday"