diff --git a/src/backend/api/article.rs b/src/backend/api/article.rs
index ee21c45..b203ed1 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/article.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::backend::api::ResolveObject;
 use crate::backend::database::article::DbArticleForm;
 use crate::backend::database::conflict::{ApiConflict, DbConflict, DbConflictForm};
 use crate::backend::database::edit::DbEditForm;
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ use crate::common::LocalUserView;
 use crate::common::{ArticleView, DbArticle, DbEdit};
 use activitypub_federation::config::Data;
 use activitypub_federation::fetch::object_id::ObjectId;
+use anyhow::anyhow;
 use axum::extract::Query;
 use axum::Extension;
 use axum::Form;
@@ -126,10 +128,20 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn get_article(
     Query(query): Query<GetArticleData>,
     data: Data<MyDataHandle>,
 ) -> MyResult<Json<ArticleView>> {
-    Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view_title(
-        &query.title,
-        &data.db_connection,
-    )?))
+    match (query.title, query.id) {
+        (Some(title), None) => Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view_title(
+            &title,
+            &query.instance_id,
+            &data.db_connection,
+        )?)),
+        (None, Some(id)) => {
+            if query.instance_id.is_some() {
+                return Err(anyhow!("Cant combine id and instance_id").into());
+            }
+            Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view(id, &data.db_connection)?))
+        }
+        _ => Err(anyhow!("Must pass exactly one of title, id").into()),
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Deserialize, Serialize)]
@@ -187,3 +199,20 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn fork_article(
 
     Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view(article.id, &data.db_connection)?))
 }
+
+/// Fetch a remote article, including edits collection. Allows viewing and editing. Note that new
+/// article changes can only be received if we follow the instance, or if it is refetched manually.
+#[debug_handler]
+pub(super) async fn resolve_article(
+    Query(query): Query<ResolveObject>,
+    data: Data<MyDataHandle>,
+) -> MyResult<Json<ArticleView>> {
+    let article: DbArticle = ObjectId::from(query.id).dereference(&data).await?;
+    let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let latest_version = edits.last().unwrap().hash.clone();
+    Ok(Json(ArticleView {
+        article,
+        edits,
+        latest_version,
+    }))
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/api/instance.rs b/src/backend/api/instance.rs
index ee9718f..7e7f688 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/instance.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/instance.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
+use crate::backend::api::ResolveObject;
 use crate::backend::database::instance::{DbInstance, InstanceView};
 use crate::backend::database::MyDataHandle;
 use crate::backend::error::MyResult;
 use crate::backend::federation::activities::follow::Follow;
 use crate::common::LocalUserView;
 use activitypub_federation::config::Data;
+use activitypub_federation::fetch::object_id::ObjectId;
+use axum::extract::Query;
 use axum::Extension;
 use axum::{Form, Json};
 use axum_macros::debug_handler;
@@ -38,3 +41,16 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn follow_instance(
     Follow::send(user.person, instance, &data).await?;
     Ok(())
 }
+
+/// Fetch a remote instance actor. This automatically synchronizes the remote articles collection to
+/// the local instance, and allows for interactions such as following.
+#[debug_handler]
+pub(super) async fn resolve_instance(
+    Query(query): Query<ResolveObject>,
+    data: Data<MyDataHandle>,
+) -> MyResult<Json<DbInstance>> {
+    // TODO: workaround because axum makes it hard to have multiple routes on /
+    let id = format!("{}instance", query.id);
+    let instance: DbInstance = ObjectId::parse(&id)?.dereference(&data).await?;
+    Ok(Json(instance))
+}
diff --git a/src/backend/api/mod.rs b/src/backend/api/mod.rs
index 60b768b..0dd5ced 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/mod.rs
@@ -1,25 +1,20 @@
-use crate::backend::api::article::create_article;
+use crate::backend::api::article::{create_article, resolve_article};
 use crate::backend::api::article::{edit_article, fork_article, get_article};
-use crate::backend::api::instance::follow_instance;
 use crate::backend::api::instance::get_local_instance;
-use crate::backend::api::user::my_profile;
+use crate::backend::api::instance::{follow_instance, resolve_instance};
 use crate::backend::api::user::register_user;
 use crate::backend::api::user::validate;
 use crate::backend::api::user::{login_user, logout_user};
+use crate::backend::api::user::{my_profile, AUTH_COOKIE};
 use crate::backend::database::conflict::{ApiConflict, DbConflict};
-use crate::backend::database::instance::DbInstance;
 use crate::backend::database::MyDataHandle;
 use crate::backend::error::MyResult;
-use crate::common::DbEdit;
+use crate::common::DbArticle;
 use crate::common::LocalUserView;
-use crate::common::{ArticleView, DbArticle};
 use activitypub_federation::config::Data;
-use activitypub_federation::fetch::object_id::ObjectId;
 use axum::extract::Query;
 use axum::routing::{get, post};
 use axum::{
-    extract::TypedHeader,
-    headers::authorization::{Authorization, Bearer},
     http::Request,
     http::StatusCode,
     middleware::{self, Next},
@@ -27,6 +22,7 @@ use axum::{
     Extension,
 };
 use axum::{Json, Router};
+use axum_extra::extract::CookieJar;
 use axum_macros::debug_handler;
 use futures::future::try_join_all;
 use log::warn;
@@ -44,11 +40,11 @@ pub fn api_routes() -> Router {
             get(get_article).post(create_article).patch(edit_article),
         )
         .route("/article/fork", post(fork_article))
+        .route("/article/resolve", get(resolve_article))
         .route("/edit_conflicts", get(edit_conflicts))
-        .route("/resolve_instance", get(resolve_instance))
-        .route("/resolve_article", get(resolve_article))
         .route("/instance", get(get_local_instance))
         .route("/instance/follow", post(follow_instance))
+        .route("/instance/resolve", get(resolve_instance))
         .route("/search", get(search_article))
         .route("/account/register", post(register_user))
         .route("/account/login", post(login_user))
@@ -59,12 +55,12 @@ pub fn api_routes() -> Router {
 
 async fn auth<B>(
     data: Data<MyDataHandle>,
-    auth: Option<TypedHeader<Authorization<Bearer>>>,
+    jar: CookieJar,
     mut request: Request<B>,
     next: Next<B>,
 ) -> Result<Response, StatusCode> {
-    if let Some(auth) = auth {
-        let user = validate(auth.token(), &data).await.map_err(|e| {
+    if let Some(auth) = jar.get(AUTH_COOKIE) {
+        let user = validate(auth.value(), &data).await.map_err(|e| {
             warn!("Failed to validate auth token: {e}");
             StatusCode::UNAUTHORIZED
         })?;
@@ -79,36 +75,6 @@ pub struct ResolveObject {
     pub id: Url,
 }
 
-/// Fetch a remote instance actor. This automatically synchronizes the remote articles collection to
-/// the local instance, and allows for interactions such as following.
-#[debug_handler]
-async fn resolve_instance(
-    Query(query): Query<ResolveObject>,
-    data: Data<MyDataHandle>,
-) -> MyResult<Json<DbInstance>> {
-    // TODO: workaround because axum makes it hard to have multiple routes on /
-    let id = format!("{}instance", query.id);
-    let instance: DbInstance = ObjectId::parse(&id)?.dereference(&data).await?;
-    Ok(Json(instance))
-}
-
-/// Fetch a remote article, including edits collection. Allows viewing and editing. Note that new
-/// article changes can only be received if we follow the instance, or if it is refetched manually.
-#[debug_handler]
-async fn resolve_article(
-    Query(query): Query<ResolveObject>,
-    data: Data<MyDataHandle>,
-) -> MyResult<Json<ArticleView>> {
-    let article: DbArticle = ObjectId::from(query.id).dereference(&data).await?;
-    let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, &data.db_connection)?;
-    let latest_version = edits.last().unwrap().hash.clone();
-    Ok(Json(ArticleView {
-        article,
-        edits,
-        latest_version,
-    }))
-}
-
 /// Get a list of all unresolved edit conflicts.
 #[debug_handler]
 async fn edit_conflicts(
diff --git a/src/backend/api/user.rs b/src/backend/api/user.rs
index 6fc5a4f..a2a4c65 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/user.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/user.rs
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn register_user(
 ) -> MyResult<(CookieJar, Json<LocalUserView>)> {
     let user = DbPerson::create_local(form.username, form.password, &data)?;
     let token = generate_login_token(&user.local_user, &data)?;
-    let jar = jar.add(create_cookie(token));
+    let jar = jar.add(create_cookie(token, &data));
     Ok((jar, Json(user)))
 }
 
@@ -76,13 +76,18 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn login_user(
         return Err(anyhow!("Invalid login").into());
     }
     let token = generate_login_token(&user.local_user, &data)?;
-    let jar = jar.add(create_cookie(token));
+    let jar = jar.add(create_cookie(token, &data));
     Ok((jar, Json(user)))
 }
 
-fn create_cookie(jwt: String) -> Cookie<'static> {
+fn create_cookie(jwt: String, data: &Data<MyDataHandle>) -> Cookie<'static> {
+    let mut domain = data.domain().to_string();
+    // remove port from domain
+    if domain.contains(':') {
+        domain = domain.split(':').collect::<Vec<_>>()[0].to_string();
+    }
     Cookie::build(AUTH_COOKIE, jwt)
-        .domain("localhost")
+        .domain(domain)
         .same_site(SameSite::Strict)
         .path("/")
         .http_only(true)
diff --git a/src/backend/database/article.rs b/src/backend/database/article.rs
index 845721d..a173395 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/article.rs
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ impl DbArticle {
             article::table.find(id).get_result(conn.deref_mut())?
         };
         let latest_version = article.latest_edit_version(conn)?;
-        let edits: Vec<DbEdit> = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, conn)?;
+        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, conn)?;
         Ok(ArticleView {
             article,
             edits,
@@ -74,15 +74,25 @@ impl DbArticle {
         })
     }
 
-    pub fn read_view_title(title: &str, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
+    pub fn read_view_title(
+        title: &str,
+        instance_id: &Option<i32>,
+        conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>,
+    ) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
         let article: DbArticle = {
             let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
-            article::table
-                .filter(article::dsl::title.eq(title))
-                .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?
+            let query = article::table
+                .into_boxed()
+                .filter(article::dsl::title.eq(title));
+            let query = if let Some(instance_id) = instance_id {
+                query.filter(article::dsl::instance_id.eq(instance_id))
+            } else {
+                query.filter(article::dsl::local.eq(true))
+            };
+            query.get_result(conn.deref_mut())?
         };
         let latest_version = article.latest_edit_version(conn)?;
-        let edits: Vec<DbEdit> = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, conn)?;
+        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, conn)?;
         Ok(ArticleView {
             article,
             edits,
diff --git a/src/backend/mod.rs b/src/backend/mod.rs
index d0949bc..0912133 100644
--- a/src/backend/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/mod.rs
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ pub async fn start(hostname: &str, database_url: &str) -> MyResult<()> {
 
         // Create the main page which is shown by default
         let form = DbArticleForm {
-            title: "Main Page".to_string(),
+            title: "Main_Page".to_string(),
             text: "Hello world!".to_string(),
-            ap_id: ObjectId::parse("http://{hostname}/article/Main_Page")?,
+            ap_id: ObjectId::parse(&format!("http://{hostname}/article/Main_Page"))?,
             instance_id: instance.id,
             local: true,
         };
diff --git a/src/common/mod.rs b/src/common/mod.rs
index cc7d583..2cc101c 100644
--- a/src/common/mod.rs
+++ b/src/common/mod.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@ use {
     diesel::{Identifiable, Queryable, Selectable},
 };
 
+/// Should be an enum Title/Id but fails due to https://github.com/nox/serde_urlencoded/issues/66
 #[derive(Deserialize, Serialize, Clone)]
 pub struct GetArticleData {
-    pub title: String,
+    pub title: Option<String>,
+    pub instance_id: Option<i32>,
+    pub id: Option<i32>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq)]
diff --git a/src/frontend/api.rs b/src/frontend/api.rs
index 850aabd..a0f5f9d 100644
--- a/src/frontend/api.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/api.rs
@@ -9,9 +9,52 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 pub static CLIENT: Lazy<Client> = Lazy::new(Client::new);
 
-pub async fn get_article(hostname: &str, title: String) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
-    let get_article = GetArticleData { title };
-    get_query::<ArticleView, _>(hostname, "article", Some(get_article.clone())).await
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct ApiClient {
+    // TODO: make these private
+    pub client: Client,
+    pub hostname: String,
+}
+
+impl ApiClient {
+    pub fn new(client: Client, hostname: String) -> Self {
+        Self { client, hostname }
+    }
+
+    async fn get_query<T, R>(&self, endpoint: &str, query: Option<R>) -> MyResult<T>
+    where
+        T: for<'de> Deserialize<'de>,
+        R: Serialize,
+    {
+        let mut req = self
+            .client
+            .get(format!("http://{}/api/v1/{}", &self.hostname, endpoint));
+        if let Some(query) = query {
+            req = req.query(&query);
+        }
+        handle_json_res::<T>(req).await
+    }
+
+    pub async fn get_article(&self, data: GetArticleData) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
+        self.get_query::<ArticleView, _>("article", Some(data))
+            .await
+    }
+
+    pub async fn register(&self, register_form: RegisterUserData) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
+        let req = self
+            .client
+            .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/account/register", self.hostname))
+            .form(&register_form);
+        handle_json_res::<LocalUserView>(req).await
+    }
+
+    pub async fn login(&self, login_form: LoginUserData) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
+        let req = self
+            .client
+            .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/account/login", self.hostname))
+            .form(&login_form);
+        handle_json_res::<LocalUserView>(req).await
+    }
 }
 
 pub async fn get_query<T, R>(hostname: &str, endpoint: &str, query: Option<R>) -> MyResult<T>
@@ -40,20 +83,6 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-pub async fn register(hostname: &str, register_form: RegisterUserData) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
-    let req = CLIENT
-        .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/account/register", hostname))
-        .form(&register_form);
-    handle_json_res::<LocalUserView>(req).await
-}
-
-pub async fn login(hostname: &str, login_form: LoginUserData) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
-    let req = CLIENT
-        .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/account/login", hostname))
-        .form(&login_form);
-    handle_json_res::<LocalUserView>(req).await
-}
-
 pub async fn my_profile(hostname: &str) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
     let req = CLIENT.get(format!("http://{}/api/v1/account/my_profile", hostname));
     handle_json_res::<LocalUserView>(req).await
diff --git a/src/frontend/app.rs b/src/frontend/app.rs
index d209190..c921171 100644
--- a/src/frontend/app.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/app.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use crate::common::LocalUserView;
-use crate::frontend::api::my_profile;
+use crate::frontend::api::{my_profile, ApiClient};
 use crate::frontend::components::nav::Nav;
 use crate::frontend::pages::article::Article;
 use crate::frontend::pages::login::Login;
@@ -14,11 +14,14 @@ use leptos_meta::*;
 use leptos_router::Route;
 use leptos_router::Router;
 use leptos_router::Routes;
+use reqwest::Client;
 
 // https://book.leptos.dev/15_global_state.html
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct GlobalState {
+    // TODO: remove
     backend_hostname: String,
+    api_client: ApiClient,
     pub(crate) my_profile: Option<LocalUserView>,
 }
 
@@ -29,6 +32,12 @@ impl GlobalState {
             .get_untracked()
             .backend_hostname
     }
+    pub fn api_client() -> ApiClient {
+        use_context::<RwSignal<GlobalState>>()
+            .expect("global state is provided")
+            .get_untracked()
+            .api_client
+    }
 
     pub fn update_my_profile(&self) {
         let backend_hostname_ = self.backend_hostname.clone();
@@ -50,7 +59,8 @@ pub fn App() -> impl IntoView {
 
     provide_meta_context();
     let backend_hostname = GlobalState {
-        backend_hostname,
+        backend_hostname: backend_hostname.clone(),
+        api_client: ApiClient::new(Client::new(), backend_hostname.clone()),
         my_profile: None,
     };
     // Load user profile in case we are already logged in
diff --git a/src/frontend/components/nav.rs b/src/frontend/components/nav.rs
index 5925207..c088de5 100644
--- a/src/frontend/components/nav.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/components/nav.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ use leptos_router::*;
 #[component]
 pub fn Nav() -> impl IntoView {
     let global_state = use_context::<RwSignal<GlobalState>>().unwrap();
-    // TODO: use `<Show when` based on auth token for login/register/logout
     view! {
         <nav class="inner">
             <li>
diff --git a/src/frontend/mod.rs b/src/frontend/mod.rs
index a3aab5b..ff8fef5 100644
--- a/src/frontend/mod.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/mod.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 pub mod api;
 pub mod app;
 mod components;
-mod error;
+pub mod error;
 mod pages;
 
 #[cfg(feature = "hydrate")]
diff --git a/src/frontend/pages/article.rs b/src/frontend/pages/article.rs
index e9c6b83..b95d364 100644
--- a/src/frontend/pages/article.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/pages/article.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-use crate::frontend::api::get_article;
+use crate::common::GetArticleData;
+use crate::frontend::app::GlobalState;
 use leptos::*;
 use leptos_router::*;
 
@@ -13,7 +14,16 @@ pub fn Article() -> impl IntoView {
                 .cloned()
                 .unwrap_or("Main Page".to_string())
         },
-        move |title| async move { get_article("localhost:8131", title).await.unwrap() },
+        move |title| async move {
+            GlobalState::api_client()
+                .get_article(GetArticleData {
+                    title: Some(title),
+                    instance_id: None,
+                    id: None,
+                })
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+        },
     );
 
     view! {
diff --git a/src/frontend/pages/login.rs b/src/frontend/pages/login.rs
index e8df78c..c508f97 100644
--- a/src/frontend/pages/login.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/pages/login.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use crate::common::LoginUserData;
-use crate::frontend::api::login;
 use crate::frontend::app::GlobalState;
 use crate::frontend::components::credentials::*;
 use leptos::*;
@@ -17,7 +16,7 @@ pub fn Login() -> impl IntoView {
         let credentials = LoginUserData { username, password };
         async move {
             set_wait_for_response.update(|w| *w = true);
-            let result = login(&GlobalState::read_hostname(), credentials).await;
+            let result = GlobalState::api_client().login(credentials).await;
             set_wait_for_response.update(|w| *w = false);
             match result {
                 Ok(res) => {
diff --git a/src/frontend/pages/register.rs b/src/frontend/pages/register.rs
index 847b41f..ef025df 100644
--- a/src/frontend/pages/register.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/pages/register.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-use crate::common::RegisterUserData;
-use crate::frontend::api::register;
+use crate::common::{LocalUserView, RegisterUserData};
 use crate::frontend::app::GlobalState;
 use crate::frontend::components::credentials::*;
+use crate::frontend::error::MyResult;
 use leptos::{logging::log, *};
 
 #[component]
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ pub fn Register() -> impl IntoView {
         log!("Try to register new account for {}", credentials.username);
         async move {
             set_wait_for_response.update(|w| *w = true);
-            let result = register(&GlobalState::read_hostname(), credentials).await;
+            let result: MyResult<LocalUserView> =
+                GlobalState::api_client().register(credentials).await;
             set_wait_for_response.update(|w| *w = false);
             match result {
                 Ok(res) => {
diff --git a/tests/common.rs b/tests/common.rs
index 734fb3a..183ae61 100644
--- a/tests/common.rs
+++ b/tests/common.rs
@@ -1,23 +1,25 @@
 use anyhow::anyhow;
-use ibis::backend::api::article::{CreateArticleData, EditArticleData, ForkArticleData};
-use ibis::backend::api::instance::FollowInstance;
-use ibis::backend::api::user::AUTH_COOKIE;
-use ibis::backend::api::ResolveObject;
-use ibis::backend::database::conflict::ApiConflict;
-use ibis::backend::database::instance::DbInstance;
-use ibis::backend::error::MyResult;
-use ibis::backend::start;
-use ibis::common::ArticleView;
-use ibis::common::LoginUserData;
-use ibis::common::RegisterUserData;
-use ibis::frontend::api::{get_article, get_query, handle_json_res, register};
-use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
-use reqwest::{Client, ClientBuilder, StatusCode};
+use ibis_lib::backend::api::article::{CreateArticleData, EditArticleData, ForkArticleData};
+use ibis_lib::backend::api::instance::FollowInstance;
+use ibis_lib::backend::api::ResolveObject;
+use ibis_lib::backend::database::conflict::ApiConflict;
+use ibis_lib::backend::database::instance::DbInstance;
+use ibis_lib::backend::start;
+use ibis_lib::common::RegisterUserData;
+use ibis_lib::common::{ArticleView, GetArticleData};
+use ibis_lib::frontend::api::ApiClient;
+use ibis_lib::frontend::api::{get_query, handle_json_res};
+use ibis_lib::frontend::error::MyResult;
+
+use reqwest::cookie::Jar;
+use reqwest::{ClientBuilder, StatusCode};
 use serde::de::Deserialize;
 use std::env::current_dir;
 use std::fs::create_dir_all;
+use std::ops::Deref;
 use std::process::{Command, Stdio};
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicI32, Ordering};
+use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::sync::Once;
 use std::thread::{sleep, spawn};
 use std::time::Duration;
@@ -25,8 +27,6 @@ use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 use tracing::log::LevelFilter;
 use url::Url;
 
-pub static CLIENT: Lazy<Client> = Lazy::new(Client::new);
-
 pub struct TestData {
     pub alpha: IbisInstance,
     pub beta: IbisInstance,
@@ -95,9 +95,7 @@ fn generate_db_path(name: &'static str, port: i32) -> String {
 }
 
 pub struct IbisInstance {
-    pub hostname: String,
-    pub client: Client,
-    pub jwt: String,
+    pub api_client: ApiClient,
     db_path: String,
     db_handle: JoinHandle<()>,
 }
@@ -127,14 +125,20 @@ impl IbisInstance {
             username: username.to_string(),
             password: "hunter2".to_string(),
         };
-        // TODO: use a separate http client for each backend instance, with cookie store for auth
-        // TODO: how to pass the client/hostname to api client methods?
-        //       probably create a struct ApiClient(hostname, client) with all api methods in impl
-        let client = ClientBuilder::new().cookie_store(true).build();
-        let register_res = register(&hostname, form).await.unwrap();
+        // use a separate http client for each backend instance, with cookie store for auth
+        // how to pass the client/hostname to api client methods?
+        // probably create a struct ApiClient(hostname, client) with all api methods in impl
+        // TODO: seems that cookie isnt being stored? or maybe wrong hostname?
+        let jar = Arc::new(Jar::default());
+        let client = ClientBuilder::new()
+            .cookie_store(true)
+            .cookie_provider(jar.clone())
+            .build()
+            .unwrap();
+        let api_client = ApiClient::new(client, hostname.clone());
+        api_client.register(form).await.unwrap();
         Self {
-            hostname,
-            client,
+            api_client,
             db_path,
             db_handle: handle,
         }
@@ -153,16 +157,27 @@ impl IbisInstance {
     }
 }
 
+impl Deref for IbisInstance {
+    type Target = ApiClient;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        &self.api_client
+    }
+}
 pub const TEST_ARTICLE_DEFAULT_TEXT: &str = "some\nexample\ntext\n";
 
 pub async fn create_article(instance: &IbisInstance, title: String) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
     let create_form = CreateArticleData {
         title: title.clone(),
     };
-    let req = CLIENT
-        .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/article", &instance.hostname))
-        .form(&create_form)
-        .bearer_auth(&instance.jwt);
+    let req = instance
+        .api_client
+        .client
+        .post(format!(
+            "http://{}/api/v1/article",
+            &instance.api_client.hostname
+        ))
+        .form(&create_form);
     let article: ArticleView = handle_json_res(req).await?;
 
     // create initial edit to ensure that conflicts are generated (there are no conflicts on empty file)
@@ -172,28 +187,30 @@ pub async fn create_article(instance: &IbisInstance, title: String) -> MyResult<
         previous_version_id: article.latest_version,
         resolve_conflict_id: None,
     };
-    edit_article(instance, &edit_form).await
+    Ok(edit_article(instance, &edit_form).await.unwrap())
 }
 
 pub async fn edit_article_with_conflict(
     instance: &IbisInstance,
     edit_form: &EditArticleData,
 ) -> MyResult<Option<ApiConflict>> {
-    let req = CLIENT
-        .patch(format!("http://{}/api/v1/article", instance.hostname))
-        .form(edit_form)
-        .bearer_auth(&instance.jwt);
-    handle_json_res(req).await?
+    let req = instance
+        .api_client
+        .client
+        .patch(format!(
+            "http://{}/api/v1/article",
+            instance.api_client.hostname
+        ))
+        .form(edit_form);
+    handle_json_res(req).await
 }
 
 pub async fn get_conflicts(instance: &IbisInstance) -> MyResult<Vec<ApiConflict>> {
-    let req = CLIENT
-        .get(format!(
-            "http://{}/api/v1/edit_conflicts",
-            &instance.hostname
-        ))
-        .bearer_auth(&instance.jwt);
-    handle_json_res(req).await?
+    let req = instance.api_client.client.get(format!(
+        "http://{}/api/v1/edit_conflicts",
+        &instance.api_client.hostname
+    ));
+    Ok(handle_json_res(req).await.unwrap())
 }
 
 pub async fn edit_article(
@@ -203,51 +220,70 @@ pub async fn edit_article(
     let edit_res = edit_article_with_conflict(instance, edit_form).await?;
     assert!(edit_res.is_none());
 
-    get_article(&instance.hostname, todo!("{}", edit_form.article_id)).await
+    instance
+        .api_client
+        .get_article(GetArticleData {
+            title: None,
+            instance_id: None,
+            id: Some(edit_form.article_id),
+        })
+        .await
 }
 
 pub async fn get<T>(hostname: &str, endpoint: &str) -> MyResult<T>
 where
     T: for<'de> Deserialize<'de>,
 {
-    get_query(hostname, endpoint, None::<i32>).await
+    Ok(get_query(hostname, endpoint, None::<i32>).await.unwrap())
 }
 
 pub async fn fork_article(
     instance: &IbisInstance,
     form: &ForkArticleData,
 ) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
-    let req = CLIENT
-        .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/article/fork", instance.hostname))
-        .form(form)
-        .bearer_auth(&instance.jwt);
-    handle_json_res(req).await?
+    let req = instance
+        .api_client
+        .client
+        .post(format!(
+            "http://{}/api/v1/article/fork",
+            instance.api_client.hostname
+        ))
+        .form(form);
+    Ok(handle_json_res(req).await.unwrap())
 }
 
-pub async fn follow_instance(instance: &IbisInstance, follow_instance: &str) -> MyResult<()> {
+pub async fn follow_instance(
+    instance: &IbisInstance,
+    follow_instance: &str,
+) -> MyResult<DbInstance> {
     // fetch beta instance on alpha
     let resolve_form = ResolveObject {
         id: Url::parse(&format!("http://{}", follow_instance))?,
     };
-    let instance_resolved: DbInstance =
-        get_query(&instance.hostname, "resolve_instance", Some(resolve_form)).await?;
+    let instance_resolved: DbInstance = get_query(
+        &instance.api_client.hostname,
+        "instance/resolve",
+        Some(resolve_form),
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     // send follow
     let follow_form = FollowInstance {
         id: instance_resolved.id,
     };
     // cant use post helper because follow doesnt return json
-    let res = CLIENT
+    let res = instance
+        .api_client
+        .client
         .post(format!(
             "http://{}/api/v1/instance/follow",
-            instance.hostname
+            instance.api_client.hostname
         ))
         .form(&follow_form)
-        .bearer_auth(&instance.jwt)
         .send()
         .await?;
     if res.status() == StatusCode::OK {
-        Ok(())
+        Ok(instance_resolved)
     } else {
         Err(anyhow!("API error: {}", res.text().await?).into())
     }
diff --git a/tests/test.rs b/tests/test.rs
index 3f2d86b..7280045 100644
--- a/tests/test.rs
+++ b/tests/test.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-extern crate ibis;
+extern crate ibis_lib;
 
 mod common;
 
@@ -6,23 +6,21 @@ use crate::common::fork_article;
 use crate::common::get_conflicts;
 use crate::common::{
     create_article, edit_article, edit_article_with_conflict, follow_instance, get, TestData,
-    CLIENT, TEST_ARTICLE_DEFAULT_TEXT,
+    TEST_ARTICLE_DEFAULT_TEXT,
 };
-use ibis::backend::api::article::{CreateArticleData, EditArticleData, ForkArticleData};
-use ibis::backend::api::{ResolveObject, SearchArticleData};
-use ibis::backend::database::instance::{DbInstance, InstanceView};
-use ibis::backend::error::MyResult;
-use ibis::common::ArticleView;
-use ibis::common::DbArticle;
-use ibis::frontend::api::get_article;
-use ibis::frontend::api::get_query;
-use ibis::frontend::api::handle_json_res;
-use ibis::frontend::api::login;
+use ibis_lib::backend::api::article::{CreateArticleData, EditArticleData, ForkArticleData};
+use ibis_lib::backend::api::{ResolveObject, SearchArticleData};
+use ibis_lib::backend::database::instance::{DbInstance, InstanceView};
+use ibis_lib::common::{ArticleView, GetArticleData};
+use ibis_lib::common::{DbArticle, LoginUserData, RegisterUserData};
+use ibis_lib::frontend::api::get_query;
+use ibis_lib::frontend::api::handle_json_res;
+use ibis_lib::frontend::error::MyResult;
 use pretty_assertions::{assert_eq, assert_ne};
 use url::Url;
 
 #[tokio::test]
-async fn test_create_read_and_edit_article() -> MyResult<()> {
+async fn test_create_read_and_edit_local_article() -> MyResult<()> {
     let data = TestData::start().await;
 
     // create article
@@ -32,13 +30,22 @@ async fn test_create_read_and_edit_article() -> MyResult<()> {
     assert!(create_res.article.local);
 
     // now article can be read
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.alpha.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_article_data = GetArticleData {
+        title: Some(create_res.article.title.clone()),
+        instance_id: None,
+        id: None,
+    };
+    let get_res = data
+        .alpha
+        .get_article(get_article_data.clone())
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
     assert_eq!(title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(TEST_ARTICLE_DEFAULT_TEXT, get_res.article.text);
     assert!(get_res.article.local);
 
     // error on article which wasnt federated
-    let not_found = get_article(&data.beta.hostname, create_res.article.id).await;
+    let not_found = data.beta.get_article(get_article_data.clone()).await;
     assert!(not_found.is_err());
 
     // edit article
@@ -56,7 +63,9 @@ async fn test_create_read_and_edit_article() -> MyResult<()> {
         query: title.clone(),
     };
     let search_res: Vec<DbArticle> =
-        get_query(&data.alpha.hostname, "search", Some(search_form)).await?;
+        get_query(&data.alpha.api_client.hostname, "search", Some(search_form))
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
     assert_eq!(1, search_res.len());
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article, search_res[0]);
 
@@ -134,23 +143,30 @@ async fn test_synchronize_articles() -> MyResult<()> {
     };
     edit_article(&data.alpha, &edit_form).await?;
 
-    // article is not yet on beta
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.beta.hostname, create_res.article.id).await;
-    assert!(get_res.is_err());
-
     // fetch alpha instance on beta, articles are also fetched automatically
     let resolve_object = ResolveObject {
         id: Url::parse(&format!("http://{}", &data.alpha.hostname))?,
     };
-    get_query::<DbInstance, _>(
+    let instance: DbInstance = get_query::<DbInstance, _>(
         &data.beta.hostname,
-        "resolve_instance",
+        "instance/resolve",
         Some(resolve_object),
     )
     .await?;
 
-    // get the article and compare
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.beta.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let mut get_article_data = GetArticleData {
+        title: Some(create_res.article.title),
+        instance_id: None,
+        id: None,
+    };
+
+    // try to read remote article by name, fails without domain
+    let get_res = data.beta.get_article(get_article_data.clone()).await;
+    assert!(get_res.is_err());
+
+    // get the article with instance id and compare
+    get_article_data.instance_id = Some(instance.id);
+    let get_res = data.beta.get_article(get_article_data).await?;
     assert_eq!(create_res.article.ap_id, get_res.article.ap_id);
     assert_eq!(title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(2, get_res.edits.len());
@@ -164,7 +180,7 @@ async fn test_synchronize_articles() -> MyResult<()> {
 async fn test_edit_local_article() -> MyResult<()> {
     let data = TestData::start().await;
 
-    follow_instance(&data.alpha, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
+    let beta_instance = follow_instance(&data.alpha, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
 
     // create new article
     let title = "Manu_Chao".to_string();
@@ -173,7 +189,12 @@ async fn test_edit_local_article() -> MyResult<()> {
     assert!(create_res.article.local);
 
     // article should be federated to alpha
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.alpha.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_article_data = GetArticleData {
+        title: Some(create_res.article.title.to_string()),
+        instance_id: Some(beta_instance.id),
+        id: None,
+    };
+    let get_res = data.alpha.get_article(get_article_data.clone()).await?;
     assert_eq!(create_res.article.title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(1, get_res.edits.len());
     assert!(!get_res.article.local);
@@ -195,7 +216,7 @@ async fn test_edit_local_article() -> MyResult<()> {
         .starts_with(&edit_res.article.ap_id.to_string()));
 
     // edit should be federated to alpha
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.alpha.hostname, edit_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_res = data.alpha.get_article(get_article_data).await?;
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article.title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(edit_res.edits.len(), 2);
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article.text, get_res.article.text);
@@ -207,27 +228,43 @@ async fn test_edit_local_article() -> MyResult<()> {
 async fn test_edit_remote_article() -> MyResult<()> {
     let data = TestData::start().await;
 
-    follow_instance(&data.alpha, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
-    follow_instance(&data.gamma, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
+    let beta_id_on_alpha = follow_instance(&data.alpha, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
+    let beta_id_on_gamma = follow_instance(&data.gamma, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
 
     // create new article
     let title = "Manu_Chao".to_string();
     let create_res = create_article(&data.beta, title.clone()).await?;
-    assert_eq!(title, create_res.article.title);
+    assert_eq!(&title, &create_res.article.title);
     assert!(create_res.article.local);
 
     // article should be federated to alpha and gamma
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.alpha.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_article_data_alpha = GetArticleData {
+        title: Some(create_res.article.title.to_string()),
+        instance_id: Some(beta_id_on_alpha.id),
+        id: None,
+    };
+    let get_res = data
+        .alpha
+        .get_article(get_article_data_alpha.clone())
+        .await?;
     assert_eq!(create_res.article.title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(1, get_res.edits.len());
     assert!(!get_res.article.local);
 
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.gamma.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_article_data_gamma = GetArticleData {
+        title: Some(create_res.article.title.to_string()),
+        instance_id: Some(beta_id_on_gamma.id),
+        id: None,
+    };
+    let get_res = data
+        .gamma
+        .get_article(get_article_data_gamma.clone())
+        .await?;
     assert_eq!(create_res.article.title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(create_res.article.text, get_res.article.text);
 
     let edit_form = EditArticleData {
-        article_id: create_res.article.id,
+        article_id: get_res.article.id,
         new_text: "Lorem Ipsum 2".to_string(),
         previous_version_id: get_res.latest_version,
         resolve_conflict_id: None,
@@ -242,12 +279,12 @@ async fn test_edit_remote_article() -> MyResult<()> {
         .starts_with(&edit_res.article.ap_id.to_string()));
 
     // edit should be federated to beta and gamma
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.alpha.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_res = data.alpha.get_article(get_article_data_alpha).await?;
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article.title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(edit_res.edits.len(), 2);
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article.text, get_res.article.text);
 
-    let get_res = get_article(&data.gamma.hostname, create_res.article.id).await?;
+    let get_res = data.gamma.get_article(get_article_data_gamma).await?;
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article.title, get_res.article.title);
     assert_eq!(edit_res.edits.len(), 2);
     assert_eq!(edit_res.article.text, get_res.article.text);
@@ -311,7 +348,7 @@ async fn test_local_edit_conflict() -> MyResult<()> {
 async fn test_federated_edit_conflict() -> MyResult<()> {
     let data = TestData::start().await;
 
-    follow_instance(&data.alpha, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
+    let beta_id_on_alpha = follow_instance(&data.alpha, &data.beta.hostname).await?;
 
     // create new article
     let title = "Manu_Chao".to_string();
@@ -325,15 +362,23 @@ async fn test_federated_edit_conflict() -> MyResult<()> {
     };
     let resolve_res: ArticleView = get_query(
         &data.gamma.hostname,
-        "resolve_article",
+        "article/resolve",
         Some(resolve_object),
     )
     .await?;
     assert_eq!(create_res.article.text, resolve_res.article.text);
 
     // alpha edits article
+    let get_article_data = GetArticleData {
+        title: Some(title.to_string()),
+        instance_id: Some(beta_id_on_alpha.id),
+        id: None,
+    };
+    let get_res = data.alpha.get_article(get_article_data).await?;
+    assert_eq!(&create_res.edits.len(), &get_res.edits.len());
+    assert_eq!(&create_res.edits[0].hash, &get_res.edits[0].hash);
     let edit_form = EditArticleData {
-        article_id: create_res.article.id,
+        article_id: get_res.article.id,
         new_text: "Lorem Ipsum\n".to_string(),
         previous_version_id: create_res.latest_version.clone(),
         resolve_conflict_id: None,
@@ -350,7 +395,7 @@ async fn test_federated_edit_conflict() -> MyResult<()> {
     // gamma also edits, as its not the latest version there is a conflict. local version should
     // not be updated with this conflicting version, instead user needs to handle the conflict
     let edit_form = EditArticleData {
-        article_id: create_res.article.id,
+        article_id: resolve_res.article.id,
         new_text: "aaaa\n".to_string(),
         previous_version_id: create_res.latest_version,
         resolve_conflict_id: None,
@@ -365,7 +410,7 @@ async fn test_federated_edit_conflict() -> MyResult<()> {
 
     // resolve the conflict
     let edit_form = EditArticleData {
-        article_id: create_res.article.id,
+        article_id: resolve_res.article.id,
         new_text: "aaaa\n".to_string(),
         previous_version_id: conflicts[0].previous_version_id.clone(),
         resolve_conflict_id: Some(conflicts[0].id.clone()),
@@ -432,7 +477,7 @@ async fn test_fork_article() -> MyResult<()> {
         id: create_res.article.ap_id.into_inner(),
     };
     let resolve_res: ArticleView =
-        get_query(&data.beta.hostname, "resolve_article", Some(resolve_object)).await?;
+        get_query(&data.beta.hostname, "article/resolve", Some(resolve_object)).await?;
     let resolved_article = resolve_res.article;
     assert_eq!(create_res.edits.len(), resolve_res.edits.len());
 
@@ -471,24 +516,36 @@ async fn test_user_registration_login() -> MyResult<()> {
     let data = TestData::start().await;
     let username = "my_user";
     let password = "hunter2";
-    let register = register(&data.alpha.hostname, username, password).await?;
-    assert!(!register.jwt.is_empty());
+    let register_data = RegisterUserData {
+        username: username.to_string(),
+        password: password.to_string(),
+    };
+    data.alpha.register(register_data).await?;
 
-    let invalid_login = login(&data.alpha, username, "asd123").await;
+    let login_data = LoginUserData {
+        username: username.to_string(),
+        password: "asd123".to_string(),
+    };
+    let invalid_login = data.alpha.login(login_data).await;
     assert!(invalid_login.is_err());
 
-    let valid_login = login(&data.alpha, username, password).await?;
-    assert!(!valid_login.jwt.is_empty());
+    let login_data = LoginUserData {
+        username: username.to_string(),
+        password: password.to_string(),
+    };
+    data.alpha.login(login_data).await?;
 
     let title = "Manu_Chao".to_string();
     let create_form = CreateArticleData {
         title: title.clone(),
     };
 
-    let req = CLIENT
+    let req = data
+        .alpha
+        .api_client
+        .client
         .post(format!("http://{}/api/v1/article", &data.alpha.hostname))
-        .form(&create_form)
-        .bearer_auth(valid_login.jwt);
+        .form(&create_form);
     let create_res: ArticleView = handle_json_res(req).await?;
     assert_eq!(title, create_res.article.title);