diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 1af211c..f7341c7 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -906,6 +906,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "diesel_derives",
  "itoa",
  "pq-sys",
+ "r2d2",
  "uuid",
 ]
 
@@ -2750,6 +2751,17 @@ dependencies = [
  "syn 2.0.51",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "r2d2"
+version = "0.8.10"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "51de85fb3fb6524929c8a2eb85e6b6d363de4e8c48f9e2c2eac4944abc181c93"
+dependencies = [
+ "log",
+ "parking_lot",
+ "scheduled-thread-pool",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "rand"
 version = "0.8.5"
@@ -3033,6 +3045,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "windows-sys",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "scheduled-thread-pool"
+version = "0.2.7"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "3cbc66816425a074528352f5789333ecff06ca41b36b0b0efdfbb29edc391a19"
+dependencies = [
+ "parking_lot",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "scopeguard"
 version = "1.2.0"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 1d36f49..e539ebd 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ diesel = { version = "2.1.4", features = [
   "postgres",
   "chrono",
   "uuid",
+  "r2d2"
 ], optional = true }
 diesel-derive-newtype = { version = "2.1.0", optional = true }
 diesel_migrations = { version = "2.1.0", optional = true }
diff --git a/config/defaults.toml b/config/defaults.toml
index 1c082b8..98c4cf2 100644
--- a/config/defaults.toml
+++ b/config/defaults.toml
@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
 # Address where ibis should listen for incoming requests
 bind = "127.0.0.1:8081"
 
-# Database connection url
-database_url = "postgres://ibis:password@localhost:5432/ibis"
-
 # Whether users can create new accounts
 registration_open = true
 
+# Details about the PostgreSQL database connection
+[database]
+# Database connection url
+connection_url = "postgres://ibis:password@localhost:5432/ibis"
+
+# Database connection pool size
+pool_size = 5
+
 # Details of the initial admin account
 [setup]
 admin_username = "ibis"
@@ -22,4 +27,4 @@ domain = "example.com"
 allowlist = "good.com,friends.org"
 
 # Comma separated list of instances which are blocked for federation; optional
-blocklist = "evil.com,bad.org"
+blocklist = "evil.com,bad.org"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/backend/api/article.rs b/src/backend/api/article.rs
index adc4af3..8b7010f 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/article.rs
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn create_article(
         return Err(anyhow!("Title must not be empty").into());
     }
 
-    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data)?;
     let ap_id = ObjectId::parse(&format!(
         "{}://{}:{}/article/{}",
         http_protocol_str(),
@@ -51,18 +51,18 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn create_article(
         instance_id: local_instance.id,
         local: true,
     };
-    let article = DbArticle::create(form, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article = DbArticle::create(form, &data)?;
 
     let edit_data = EditArticleData {
         article_id: article.id,
         new_text: create_article.text,
         summary: create_article.summary,
-        previous_version_id: article.latest_edit_version(&data.db_connection)?,
+        previous_version_id: article.latest_edit_version(&data)?,
         resolve_conflict_id: None,
     };
     let _ = edit_article(Extension(user), data.reset_request_count(), Form(edit_data)).await?;
 
-    let article_view = DbArticle::read_view(article.id, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article_view = DbArticle::read_view(article.id, &data)?;
     CreateArticle::send_to_followers(article_view.article.clone(), &data).await?;
 
     Ok(Json(article_view))
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn edit_article(
 ) -> MyResult<Json<Option<ApiConflict>>> {
     // resolve conflict if any
     if let Some(resolve_conflict_id) = edit_form.resolve_conflict_id {
-        DbConflict::delete(resolve_conflict_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        DbConflict::delete(resolve_conflict_id, &data)?;
     }
-    let original_article = DbArticle::read_view(edit_form.article_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let original_article = DbArticle::read_view(edit_form.article_id, &data)?;
     if edit_form.new_text == original_article.article.text {
         return Err(anyhow!("Edit contains no changes").into());
     }
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn edit_article(
             generate_article_version(&original_article.edits, &edit_form.previous_version_id)?;
         let patch = create_patch(&ancestor, &edit_form.new_text);
 
-        let previous_version = DbEdit::read(&edit_form.previous_version_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let previous_version = DbEdit::read(&edit_form.previous_version_id, &data)?;
         let form = DbConflictForm {
             hash: EditVersion::new(&patch.to_string()),
             diff: patch.to_string(),
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn edit_article(
             article_id: original_article.article.id,
             previous_version_id: previous_version.hash,
         };
-        let conflict = DbConflict::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let conflict = DbConflict::create(&form, &data)?;
         Ok(Json(conflict.to_api_conflict(&data).await?))
     }
 }
@@ -143,13 +143,13 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn get_article(
         (Some(title), None) => Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view_title(
             &title,
             query.domain,
-            &data.db_connection,
+            &data,
         )?)),
         (None, Some(id)) => {
             if query.domain.is_some() {
                 return Err(anyhow!("Cant combine id and instance_domain").into());
             }
-            Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view(id, &data.db_connection)?))
+            Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view(id, &data)?))
         }
         _ => Err(anyhow!("Must pass exactly one of title, id").into()),
     }
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn list_articles(
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<Json<Vec<DbArticle>>> {
     let only_local = query.only_local.unwrap_or(false);
-    Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_all(only_local, &data.db_connection)?))
+    Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_all(only_local, &data)?))
 }
 
 /// Fork a remote article to local instance. This is useful if there are disagreements about
@@ -173,9 +173,9 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn fork_article(
     Form(fork_form): Form<ForkArticleData>,
 ) -> MyResult<Json<ArticleView>> {
     // TODO: lots of code duplicated from create_article(), can move it into helper
-    let original_article = DbArticle::read(fork_form.article_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let original_article = DbArticle::read(fork_form.article_id, &data)?;
 
-    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data)?;
     let ap_id = ObjectId::parse(&format!(
         "{}://{}:{}/article/{}",
         http_protocol_str(),
@@ -190,11 +190,11 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn fork_article(
         instance_id: local_instance.id,
         local: true,
     };
-    let article = DbArticle::create(form, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article = DbArticle::create(form, &data)?;
 
     // copy edits to new article
     // this could also be done in sql
-    let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&original_article, &data.db_connection)?
+    let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&original_article, &data)?
         .into_iter()
         .map(|e| e.edit)
         .collect::<Vec<_>>();
@@ -210,12 +210,12 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn fork_article(
             previous_version_id: e.previous_version_id,
             created: Utc::now(),
         };
-        DbEdit::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
+        DbEdit::create(&form, &data)?;
     }
 
     CreateArticle::send_to_followers(article.clone(), &data).await?;
 
-    Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view(article.id, &data.db_connection)?))
+    Ok(Json(DbArticle::read_view(article.id, &data)?))
 }
 
 /// Fetch a remote article, including edits collection. Allows viewing and editing. Note that new
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ pub(super) async fn resolve_article(
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<Json<ArticleView>> {
     let article: DbArticle = ObjectId::from(query.id).dereference(&data).await?;
-    let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, &data)?;
     let latest_version = edits.last().unwrap().edit.hash.clone();
     Ok(Json(ArticleView {
         article,
@@ -244,6 +244,6 @@ pub(super) async fn search_article(
     if query.query.is_empty() {
         return Err(anyhow!("Query is empty").into());
     }
-    let article = DbArticle::search(&query.query, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article = DbArticle::search(&query.query, &data)?;
     Ok(Json(article))
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/api/instance.rs b/src/backend/api/instance.rs
index bd99aef..4f133c1 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/instance.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/instance.rs
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ pub(in crate::backend::api) async fn follow_instance(
     data: Data<IbisData>,
     Form(query): Form<FollowInstance>,
 ) -> MyResult<()> {
-    let target = DbInstance::read(query.id, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let target = DbInstance::read(query.id, &data)?;
     let pending = !target.local;
     DbInstance::follow(&user.person, &target, pending, &data)?;
-    let instance = DbInstance::read(query.id, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let instance = DbInstance::read(query.id, &data)?;
     Follow::send(user.person, &instance, &data).await?;
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/api/mod.rs b/src/backend/api/mod.rs
index 240e7f4..2431a51 100644
--- a/src/backend/api/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/api/mod.rs
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ async fn edit_conflicts(
     Extension(user): Extension<LocalUserView>,
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<Json<Vec<ApiConflict>>> {
-    let conflicts = DbConflict::list(&user.local_user, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let conflicts = DbConflict::list(&user.local_user, &data)?;
     let conflicts: Vec<ApiConflict> = try_join_all(conflicts.into_iter().map(|c| {
         let data = data.reset_request_count();
         async move { c.to_api_conflict(&data).await }
diff --git a/src/backend/config.rs b/src/backend/config.rs
index 36d73b7..8f17a59 100644
--- a/src/backend/config.rs
+++ b/src/backend/config.rs
@@ -3,18 +3,17 @@ use doku::Document;
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use smart_default::SmartDefault;
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
+use crate::backend::error::MyResult;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Document, SmartDefault)]
 #[serde(default)]
 pub struct IbisConfig {
     /// Address where ibis should listen for incoming requests
-    #[default("127.0.0.1:8081".parse().unwrap())]
+    #[default("127.0.0.1:8081".parse().expect("parse config bind"))]
     #[doku(as = "String", example = "127.0.0.1:8081")]
     pub bind: SocketAddr,
-    /// Database connection url
-    #[default("postgres://ibis:password@localhost:5432/ibis")]
-    #[doku(example = "postgres://ibis:password@localhost:5432/ibis")]
-    pub database_url: String,
+    /// Details about the PostgreSQL database connection
+    pub database: IbisConfigDatabase,
     /// Whether users can create new accounts
     #[default = true]
     #[doku(example = "true")]
@@ -25,18 +24,30 @@ pub struct IbisConfig {
 }
 
 impl IbisConfig {
-    pub fn read() -> Self {
+    pub fn read() -> MyResult<Self> {
         let config = Config::builder()
             .add_source(config::File::with_name("config/config.toml"))
             // Cant use _ as separator due to https://github.com/mehcode/config-rs/issues/391
             .add_source(config::Environment::with_prefix("IBIS").separator("__"))
-            .build()
-            .unwrap();
+            .build()?;
 
-        config.try_deserialize().unwrap()
+        Ok(config.try_deserialize()?)
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Document, SmartDefault)]
+#[serde(default)]
+pub struct IbisConfigDatabase {
+    /// Database connection url
+    #[default("postgres://ibis:password@localhost:5432/ibis")]
+    #[doku(example = "postgres://ibis:password@localhost:5432/ibis")]
+    pub connection_url: String,
+    /// Database connection pool size
+    #[default(5)]
+    #[doku(example = "5")]
+    pub pool_size: u32,
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Document, SmartDefault)]
 #[serde(default)]
 pub struct IbisConfigSetup {
diff --git a/src/backend/database/article.rs b/src/backend/database/article.rs
index abf8489..a597f16 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/article.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use crate::backend::database::schema::{article, edit, instance};
+use crate::backend::database::IbisData;
 use crate::backend::error::MyResult;
 use crate::backend::federation::objects::edits_collection::DbEditCollection;
 use crate::common::DbEdit;
@@ -7,14 +8,14 @@ use crate::common::{ArticleView, DbArticle};
 use activitypub_federation::fetch::collection_id::CollectionId;
 use activitypub_federation::fetch::object_id::ObjectId;
 use diesel::dsl::max;
-use diesel::pg::PgConnection;
+
 use diesel::ExpressionMethods;
 use diesel::{
     insert_into, AsChangeset, BoolExpressionMethods, Insertable, PgTextExpressionMethods, QueryDsl,
     RunQueryDsl,
 };
 use std::ops::DerefMut;
-use std::sync::Mutex;
+
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Insertable, AsChangeset)]
 #[diesel(table_name = article, check_for_backend(diesel::pg::Pg))]
@@ -32,17 +33,17 @@ impl DbArticle {
         Ok(CollectionId::parse(&format!("{}/edits", self.ap_id))?)
     }
 
-    pub fn create(mut form: DbArticleForm, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
+    pub fn create(mut form: DbArticleForm, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
         form.title = form.title.replace(' ', "_");
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(insert_into(article::table)
             .values(form)
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn create_or_update(mut form: DbArticleForm, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
+    pub fn create_or_update(mut form: DbArticleForm, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
         form.title = form.title.replace(' ', "_");
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(insert_into(article::table)
             .values(&form)
             .on_conflict(article::dsl::ap_id)
@@ -51,25 +52,23 @@ impl DbArticle {
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn update_text(id: i32, text: &str, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn update_text(id: i32, text: &str, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(diesel::update(article::dsl::article.find(id))
             .set(article::dsl::text.eq(text))
             .get_result::<Self>(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read(id: i32, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read(id: i32, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(article::table.find(id).get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read_view(id: i32, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
-        let article: DbArticle = {
-            let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
-            article::table.find(id).get_result(conn.deref_mut())?
-        };
-        let latest_version = article.latest_edit_version(conn)?;
-        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, conn)?;
+    pub fn read_view(id: i32, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
+        let article: DbArticle = { article::table.find(id).get_result(conn.deref_mut())? };
+        let latest_version = article.latest_edit_version(data)?;
+        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, data)?;
         Ok(ArticleView {
             article,
             edits,
@@ -80,10 +79,10 @@ impl DbArticle {
     pub fn read_view_title(
         title: &str,
         domain: Option<String>,
-        conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>,
+        data: &IbisData,
     ) -> MyResult<ArticleView> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let article: DbArticle = {
-            let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
             let query = article::table
                 .inner_join(instance::table)
                 .filter(article::dsl::title.eq(title))
@@ -99,8 +98,8 @@ impl DbArticle {
                 .select(article::all_columns)
                 .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?
         };
-        let latest_version = article.latest_edit_version(conn)?;
-        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, conn)?;
+        let latest_version = article.latest_edit_version(data)?;
+        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&article, data)?;
         Ok(ArticleView {
             article,
             edits,
@@ -108,18 +107,15 @@ impl DbArticle {
         })
     }
 
-    pub fn read_from_ap_id(
-        ap_id: &ObjectId<DbArticle>,
-        conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>,
-    ) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read_from_ap_id(ap_id: &ObjectId<DbArticle>, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(article::table
             .filter(article::dsl::ap_id.eq(ap_id))
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read_local_title(title: &str, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read_local_title(title: &str, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(article::table
             .filter(article::dsl::title.eq(title))
             .filter(article::dsl::local.eq(true))
@@ -127,8 +123,8 @@ impl DbArticle {
     }
 
     /// Read all articles, ordered by most recently edited first.
-    pub fn read_all(only_local: bool, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Vec<Self>> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read_all(only_local: bool, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Vec<Self>> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let query = article::table
             .inner_join(edit::table)
             .group_by(article::dsl::id)
@@ -137,14 +133,14 @@ impl DbArticle {
         Ok(if only_local {
             query
                 .filter(article::dsl::local.eq(true))
-                .get_results(conn.deref_mut())?
+                .get_results(&mut conn)?
         } else {
-            query.get_results(conn.deref_mut())?
+            query.get_results(&mut conn)?
         })
     }
 
-    pub fn search(query: &str, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Vec<Self>> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn search(query: &str, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Vec<Self>> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let replaced = query
             .replace('%', "\\%")
             .replace('_', "\\_")
@@ -159,8 +155,8 @@ impl DbArticle {
             .get_results(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn latest_edit_version(&self, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<EditVersion> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn latest_edit_version(&self, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<EditVersion> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let latest_version: Option<EditVersion> = edit::table
             .filter(edit::dsl::article_id.eq(self.id))
             .order_by(edit::dsl::id.desc())
diff --git a/src/backend/database/conflict.rs b/src/backend/database/conflict.rs
index 8e5c816..df3d135 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/conflict.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/conflict.rs
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@ use crate::common::{ApiConflict, DbArticle};
 use activitypub_federation::config::Data;
 use diesel::ExpressionMethods;
 use diesel::{
-    delete, insert_into, Identifiable, Insertable, PgConnection, QueryDsl, Queryable, RunQueryDsl,
+    delete, insert_into, Identifiable, Insertable, QueryDsl, Queryable, RunQueryDsl,
     Selectable,
 };
 use diffy::{apply, merge, Patch};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::ops::DerefMut;
-use std::sync::Mutex;
+
 
 /// A local only object which represents a merge conflict. It is created
 /// when a local user edit conflicts with another concurrent edit.
@@ -44,33 +44,33 @@ pub struct DbConflictForm {
 }
 
 impl DbConflict {
-    pub fn create(form: &DbConflictForm, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn create(form: &DbConflictForm, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(insert_into(conflict::table)
             .values(form)
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn list(local_user: &DbLocalUser, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Vec<Self>> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn list(local_user: &DbLocalUser, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Vec<Self>> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(conflict::table
             .filter(conflict::dsl::creator_id.eq(local_user.id))
             .get_results(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
     /// Delete a merge conflict after it is resolved.
-    pub fn delete(id: i32, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn delete(id: i32, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(delete(conflict::table.find(id)).get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
     pub async fn to_api_conflict(&self, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<Option<ApiConflict>> {
-        let article = DbArticle::read(self.article_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let article = DbArticle::read(self.article_id, data)?;
         // Make sure to get latest version from origin so that all conflicts can be resolved
         let original_article = article.ap_id.dereference_forced(data).await?;
 
         // create common ancestor version
-        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&original_article, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let edits = DbEdit::read_for_article(&original_article, data)?;
         let ancestor = generate_article_version(&edits, &self.previous_version_id)?;
 
         let patch = Patch::from_str(&self.diff)?;
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ impl DbConflict {
                     data,
                 )
                 .await?;
-                DbConflict::delete(self.id, &data.db_connection)?;
+                DbConflict::delete(self.id, data)?;
                 Ok(None)
             }
             Err(three_way_merge) => {
@@ -100,8 +100,7 @@ impl DbConflict {
                     three_way_merge,
                     summary: self.summary.clone(),
                     article: original_article.clone(),
-                    previous_version_id: original_article
-                        .latest_edit_version(&data.db_connection)?,
+                    previous_version_id: original_article.latest_edit_version(data)?,
                 }))
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/backend/database/edit.rs b/src/backend/database/edit.rs
index edb7ee1..5d600c5 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/edit.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/edit.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,15 @@
 use crate::backend::database::schema::{edit, person};
 use crate::backend::error::MyResult;
+use crate::backend::IbisData;
 use crate::common::{DbArticle, DbEdit};
 use crate::common::{EditVersion, EditView};
 use activitypub_federation::fetch::object_id::ObjectId;
 use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use diesel::ExpressionMethods;
-use diesel::{insert_into, AsChangeset, Insertable, PgConnection, QueryDsl, RunQueryDsl};
+use diesel::{insert_into, AsChangeset, Insertable, QueryDsl, RunQueryDsl};
 use diffy::create_patch;
 use std::ops::DerefMut;
-use std::sync::Mutex;
+
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Insertable, AsChangeset)]
 #[diesel(table_name = edit, check_for_backend(diesel::pg::Pg))]
@@ -59,8 +60,8 @@ impl DbEditForm {
 }
 
 impl DbEdit {
-    pub fn create(form: &DbEditForm, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn create(form: &DbEditForm, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(insert_into(edit::table)
             .values(form)
             .on_conflict(edit::dsl::ap_id)
@@ -69,26 +70,23 @@ impl DbEdit {
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read(version: &EditVersion, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read(version: &EditVersion, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(edit::table
             .filter(edit::dsl::hash.eq(version))
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read_from_ap_id(ap_id: &ObjectId<DbEdit>, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read_from_ap_id(ap_id: &ObjectId<DbEdit>, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(edit::table
             .filter(edit::dsl::ap_id.eq(ap_id))
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
     // TODO: create internal variant which doesnt return person?
-    pub fn read_for_article(
-        article: &DbArticle,
-        conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>,
-    ) -> MyResult<Vec<EditView>> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read_for_article(article: &DbArticle, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Vec<EditView>> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(edit::table
             .inner_join(person::table)
             .filter(edit::article_id.eq(article.id))
diff --git a/src/backend/database/instance.rs b/src/backend/database/instance.rs
index 52ef0db..5e72af5 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/instance.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/instance.rs
@@ -9,11 +9,11 @@ use activitypub_federation::fetch::object_id::ObjectId;
 use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use diesel::ExpressionMethods;
 use diesel::{
-    insert_into, AsChangeset, Insertable, JoinOnDsl, PgConnection, QueryDsl, RunQueryDsl,
+    insert_into, AsChangeset, Insertable, JoinOnDsl, QueryDsl, RunQueryDsl,
 };
 use std::fmt::Debug;
 use std::ops::DerefMut;
-use std::sync::Mutex;
+
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Insertable, AsChangeset)]
 #[diesel(table_name = instance, check_for_backend(diesel::pg::Pg))]
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ pub struct DbInstanceForm {
 }
 
 impl DbInstance {
-    pub fn create(form: &DbInstanceForm, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn create(form: &DbInstanceForm, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(insert_into(instance::table)
             .values(form)
             .on_conflict(instance::ap_id)
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ impl DbInstance {
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read(id: i32, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read(id: i32, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(instance::table.find(id).get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
@@ -49,22 +49,22 @@ impl DbInstance {
         ap_id: &ObjectId<DbInstance>,
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<DbInstance> {
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(instance::table
             .filter(instance::ap_id.eq(ap_id))
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
-    pub fn read_local_instance(conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn read_local_instance(data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(instance::table
             .filter(instance::local.eq(true))
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
     pub fn read_local_view(data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<InstanceView> {
-        let instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
-        let followers = DbInstance::read_followers(instance.id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
+        let followers = DbInstance::read_followers(instance.id, data)?;
 
         Ok(InstanceView {
             instance,
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ impl DbInstance {
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<()> {
         use instance_follow::dsl::{follower_id, instance_id, pending};
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let form = (
             instance_id.eq(instance.id),
             follower_id.eq(follower.id),
@@ -96,10 +96,10 @@ impl DbInstance {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    pub fn read_followers(id_: i32, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Vec<DbPerson>> {
+    pub fn read_followers(id_: i32, data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<Vec<DbPerson>> {
         use crate::backend::database::schema::person;
         use instance_follow::dsl::{follower_id, instance_id};
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(instance_follow::table
             .inner_join(person::table.on(follower_id.eq(person::id)))
             .filter(instance_id.eq(id_))
diff --git a/src/backend/database/mod.rs b/src/backend/database/mod.rs
index 3e4798e..3cb2e3f 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 use crate::backend::config::IbisConfig;
 use crate::backend::database::schema::jwt_secret;
 use crate::backend::error::MyResult;
+use diesel::r2d2::ConnectionManager;
+use diesel::r2d2::Pool;
 use diesel::PgConnection;
 use diesel::{QueryDsl, RunQueryDsl};
 use std::ops::Deref;
@@ -13,24 +15,15 @@ pub mod edit;
 pub mod instance;
 pub(crate) mod schema;
 pub mod user;
-pub mod version;
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct IbisData {
-    pub db_connection: Arc<Mutex<PgConnection>>,
+    pub db_pool: Pool<ConnectionManager<PgConnection>>,
     pub config: IbisConfig,
 }
 
-impl Deref for IbisData {
-    type Target = Arc<Mutex<PgConnection>>;
-
-    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
-        &self.db_connection
-    }
-}
-
-pub fn read_jwt_secret(conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<String> {
-    let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+pub fn read_jwt_secret(data: &IbisData) -> MyResult<String> {
+    let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
     Ok(jwt_secret::table
         .select(jwt_secret::dsl::secret)
         .first(conn.deref_mut())?)
diff --git a/src/backend/database/user.rs b/src/backend/database/user.rs
index 08e6b0c..abdc633 100644
--- a/src/backend/database/user.rs
+++ b/src/backend/database/user.rs
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ use activitypub_federation::http_signatures::generate_actor_keypair;
 use bcrypt::hash;
 use bcrypt::DEFAULT_COST;
 use chrono::{DateTime, Local, Utc};
-use diesel::{insert_into, AsChangeset, Insertable, PgConnection, RunQueryDsl};
+use diesel::{insert_into, AsChangeset, Insertable, RunQueryDsl};
 use diesel::{ExpressionMethods, JoinOnDsl};
 use diesel::{PgTextExpressionMethods, QueryDsl};
 use std::ops::DerefMut;
-use std::sync::{Mutex, MutexGuard};
+
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Insertable, AsChangeset)]
 #[diesel(table_name = local_user, check_for_backend(diesel::pg::Pg))]
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ pub struct DbPersonForm {
 }
 
 impl DbPerson {
-    pub fn create(person_form: &DbPersonForm, conn: &Mutex<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Self> {
-        let mut conn = conn.lock().unwrap();
+    pub fn create(person_form: &DbPersonForm, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<Self> {
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(insert_into(person::table)
             .values(person_form)
             .on_conflict(person::dsl::ap_id)
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ impl DbPerson {
     }
 
     pub fn read(id: i32, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<DbPerson> {
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(person::table.find(id).get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
     }
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ impl DbPerson {
         admin: bool,
         data: &IbisData,
     ) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let domain = &data.config.federation.domain;
         let ap_id = ObjectId::parse(&format!(
             "{}://{domain}/user/{username}",
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ impl DbPerson {
         ap_id: &ObjectId<DbPerson>,
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<DbPerson> {
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(person::table
             .filter(person::dsl::ap_id.eq(ap_id))
             .get_result(conn.deref_mut())?)
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ impl DbPerson {
         domain: &Option<String>,
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<DbPerson> {
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let mut query = person::table
             .filter(person::username.eq(username))
             .select(person::all_columns)
@@ -129,14 +129,14 @@ impl DbPerson {
     }
 
     pub fn read_local_from_name(username: &str, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<LocalUserView> {
-        let mut conn = data.db_connection.lock().unwrap();
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         let (person, local_user) = person::table
             .inner_join(local_user::table)
             .filter(person::dsl::local)
             .filter(person::dsl::username.eq(username))
             .get_result::<(DbPerson, DbLocalUser)>(conn.deref_mut())?;
         // TODO: handle this in single query
-        let following = Self::read_following(person.id, conn)?;
+        let following = Self::read_following(person.id, data)?;
         Ok(LocalUserView {
             person,
             local_user,
@@ -144,8 +144,9 @@ impl DbPerson {
         })
     }
 
-    fn read_following(id_: i32, mut conn: MutexGuard<PgConnection>) -> MyResult<Vec<DbInstance>> {
+    fn read_following(id_: i32, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<Vec<DbInstance>> {
         use instance_follow::dsl::{follower_id, instance_id};
+        let mut conn = data.db_pool.get()?;
         Ok(instance_follow::table
             .inner_join(instance::table.on(instance_id.eq(instance::dsl::id)))
             .filter(follower_id.eq(id_))
diff --git a/src/backend/database/version.rs b/src/backend/database/version.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 8b13789..0000000
--- a/src/backend/database/version.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/activities/create_article.rs b/src/backend/federation/activities/create_article.rs
index 23cd4ec..5eee755 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/activities/create_article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/activities/create_article.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ pub struct CreateArticle {
 
 impl CreateArticle {
     pub async fn send_to_followers(article: DbArticle, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<()> {
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         let object = article.clone().into_json(data).await?;
         let id = generate_activity_id(&local_instance.ap_id)?;
         let to = local_instance.follower_ids(data)?;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ impl ActivityHandler for CreateArticle {
     async fn receive(self, data: &Data<Self::DataType>) -> Result<(), Self::Error> {
         let article = DbArticle::from_json(self.object.clone(), data).await?;
         if article.local {
-            let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+            let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
             local_instance.send_to_followers(self, vec![], data).await?;
         }
         Ok(())
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/activities/follow.rs b/src/backend/federation/activities/follow.rs
index 9b3a66a..b5553b4 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/activities/follow.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/activities/follow.rs
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ impl ActivityHandler for Follow {
 
     async fn receive(self, data: &Data<Self::DataType>) -> Result<(), Self::Error> {
         let actor = self.actor.dereference(data).await?;
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         verify_urls_match(self.object.inner(), local_instance.ap_id.inner())?;
         DbInstance::follow(&actor, &local_instance, false, data)?;
 
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/activities/mod.rs b/src/backend/federation/activities/mod.rs
index f46c150..9fc1f8e 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/activities/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/activities/mod.rs
@@ -32,9 +32,8 @@ pub async fn submit_article_update(
         previous_version,
     )?;
     if original_article.local {
-        let edit = DbEdit::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
-        let updated_article =
-            DbArticle::update_text(edit.article_id, &new_text, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let edit = DbEdit::create(&form, data)?;
+        let updated_article = DbArticle::update_text(edit.article_id, &new_text, data)?;
 
         UpdateLocalArticle::send(updated_article, vec![], data).await?;
     } else {
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ pub async fn submit_article_update(
             previous_version_id: form.previous_version_id,
             created: Utc::now(),
         };
-        let instance = DbInstance::read(original_article.instance_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let instance = DbInstance::read(original_article.instance_id, data)?;
         UpdateRemoteArticle::send(edit, instance, data).await?;
     }
     Ok(())
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/activities/reject.rs b/src/backend/federation/activities/reject.rs
index 9419ac7..8afff89 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/activities/reject.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/activities/reject.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ impl RejectEdit {
         user_instance: DbInstance,
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<()> {
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         let id = generate_activity_id(&local_instance.ap_id)?;
         let reject = RejectEdit {
             actor: local_instance.ap_id.clone(),
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ impl ActivityHandler for RejectEdit {
             article_id: article.id,
             previous_version_id: self.object.previous_version,
         };
-        DbConflict::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
+        DbConflict::create(&form, data)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/activities/update_local_article.rs b/src/backend/federation/activities/update_local_article.rs
index 668ffd7..9983d48 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/activities/update_local_article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/activities/update_local_article.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ impl UpdateLocalArticle {
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<()> {
         debug_assert!(article.local);
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         let id = generate_activity_id(&local_instance.ap_id)?;
         let mut to = local_instance.follower_ids(data)?;
         to.extend(extra_recipients.iter().map(|i| i.ap_id.inner().clone()));
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/activities/update_remote_article.rs b/src/backend/federation/activities/update_remote_article.rs
index 1669095..d569c46 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/activities/update_remote_article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/activities/update_remote_article.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ impl UpdateRemoteArticle {
         article_instance: DbInstance,
         data: &Data<IbisData>,
     ) -> MyResult<()> {
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         let id = generate_activity_id(&local_instance.ap_id)?;
         let update = UpdateRemoteArticle {
             actor: local_instance.ap_id.clone(),
@@ -74,21 +74,20 @@ impl ActivityHandler for UpdateRemoteArticle {
     }
 
     async fn verify(&self, data: &Data<Self::DataType>) -> Result<(), Self::Error> {
-        let article = DbArticle::read_from_ap_id(&self.object.object, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let article = DbArticle::read_from_ap_id(&self.object.object, data)?;
         can_edit_article(&article, false)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
     /// Received on article origin instances
     async fn receive(self, data: &Data<Self::DataType>) -> Result<(), Self::Error> {
-        let local_article = DbArticle::read_from_ap_id(&self.object.object, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_article = DbArticle::read_from_ap_id(&self.object.object, data)?;
         let patch = Patch::from_str(&self.object.content)?;
 
         match apply(&local_article.text, &patch) {
             Ok(applied) => {
                 let edit = DbEdit::from_json(self.object.clone(), data).await?;
-                let article =
-                    DbArticle::update_text(edit.article_id, &applied, &data.db_connection)?;
+                let article = DbArticle::update_text(edit.article_id, &applied, data)?;
                 UpdateLocalArticle::send(article, vec![self.actor.dereference(data).await?], data)
                     .await?;
             }
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/objects/article.rs b/src/backend/federation/objects/article.rs
index 3586dfe..c0b1c09 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/objects/article.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/objects/article.rs
@@ -41,19 +41,19 @@ impl Object for DbArticle {
         object_id: Url,
         data: &Data<Self::DataType>,
     ) -> Result<Option<Self>, Self::Error> {
-        let article = DbArticle::read_from_ap_id(&object_id.into(), &data.db_connection).ok();
+        let article = DbArticle::read_from_ap_id(&object_id.into(), data).ok();
         Ok(article)
     }
 
     async fn into_json(self, data: &Data<Self::DataType>) -> Result<Self::Kind, Self::Error> {
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         Ok(ApubArticle {
             kind: Default::default(),
             id: self.ap_id.clone(),
             attributed_to: local_instance.ap_id.clone(),
             to: vec![public(), local_instance.followers_url()?],
             edits: self.edits_id()?,
-            latest_version: self.latest_edit_version(&data.db_connection)?,
+            latest_version: self.latest_edit_version(data)?,
             content: self.text,
             name: self.title,
         })
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ impl Object for DbArticle {
             local: false,
             instance_id: instance.id,
         };
-        let article = DbArticle::create_or_update(form, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let article = DbArticle::create_or_update(form, data)?;
 
         json.edits.dereference(&article, data).await?;
 
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/objects/articles_collection.rs b/src/backend/federation/objects/articles_collection.rs
index 7d330b2..1275db0 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/objects/articles_collection.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/objects/articles_collection.rs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ impl Collection for DbArticleCollection {
         owner: &Self::Owner,
         data: &Data<Self::DataType>,
     ) -> Result<Self::Kind, Self::Error> {
-        let local_articles = DbArticle::read_all(true, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_articles = DbArticle::read_all(true, data)?;
         let articles = future::try_join_all(
             local_articles
                 .into_iter()
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/objects/edit.rs b/src/backend/federation/objects/edit.rs
index f0f21fd..1b39143 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/objects/edit.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/objects/edit.rs
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ impl Object for DbEdit {
     }
 
     async fn into_json(self, data: &Data<Self::DataType>) -> Result<Self::Kind, Self::Error> {
-        let article = DbArticle::read(self.article_id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let article = DbArticle::read(self.article_id, data)?;
         let creator = DbPerson::read(self.creator_id, data)?;
         Ok(ApubEdit {
             kind: PatchType::Patch,
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ impl Object for DbEdit {
             previous_version_id: json.previous_version,
             created: json.published,
         };
-        let edit = DbEdit::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let edit = DbEdit::create(&form, data)?;
         Ok(edit)
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/objects/edits_collection.rs b/src/backend/federation/objects/edits_collection.rs
index 6c84462..5c34281 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/objects/edits_collection.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/objects/edits_collection.rs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ impl Collection for DbEditCollection {
         owner: &Self::Owner,
         data: &Data<Self::DataType>,
     ) -> Result<Self::Kind, Self::Error> {
-        let article = DbArticle::read_view(owner.id, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let article = DbArticle::read_view(owner.id, data)?;
 
         let edits = future::try_join_all(
             article
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ impl Collection for DbEditCollection {
                 .collect::<Vec<_>>(),
         )
         .await?;
-        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+        let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(data)?;
         let collection = ApubEditCollection {
             r#type: Default::default(),
             id: Url::from(local_instance.articles_url),
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/objects/instance.rs b/src/backend/federation/objects/instance.rs
index 35c7979..3deae29 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/objects/instance.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/objects/instance.rs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ impl DbInstance {
     }
 
     pub fn follower_ids(&self, data: &Data<IbisData>) -> MyResult<Vec<Url>> {
-        Ok(DbInstance::read_followers(self.id, &data.db_connection)?
+        Ok(DbInstance::read_followers(self.id, data)?
             .into_iter()
             .map(|f| f.ap_id.into())
             .collect())
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ impl DbInstance {
         <Activity as ActivityHandler>::Error: From<activitypub_federation::error::Error>,
         <Activity as ActivityHandler>::Error: From<Error>,
     {
-        let mut inboxes: Vec<_> = DbInstance::read_followers(self.id, &data.db_connection)?
+        let mut inboxes: Vec<_> = DbInstance::read_followers(self.id, data)?
             .iter()
             .map(|f| Url::parse(&f.inbox_url).unwrap())
             .collect();
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ impl Object for DbInstance {
             last_refreshed_at: Local::now().into(),
             local: false,
         };
-        let instance = DbInstance::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
+        let instance = DbInstance::create(&form, data)?;
         // TODO: very inefficient to sync all articles every time
         instance.articles_url.dereference(&instance, data).await?;
         Ok(instance)
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/objects/user.rs b/src/backend/federation/objects/user.rs
index c392418..62e3347 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/objects/user.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/objects/user.rs
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ impl Object for DbPerson {
             last_refreshed_at: Local::now().into(),
             local: false,
         };
-        DbPerson::create(&form, &data.db_connection)
+        DbPerson::create(&form, data)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/backend/federation/routes.rs b/src/backend/federation/routes.rs
index 9d0d986..3c9b881 100644
--- a/src/backend/federation/routes.rs
+++ b/src/backend/federation/routes.rs
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ pub fn federation_routes() -> Router {
 async fn http_get_instance(
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<FederationJson<WithContext<ApubInstance>>> {
-    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data)?;
     let json_instance = local_instance.into_json(&data).await?;
     Ok(FederationJson(WithContext::new_default(json_instance)))
 }
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ async fn http_get_person(
 async fn http_get_all_articles(
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<FederationJson<WithContext<ArticleCollection>>> {
-    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection)?;
+    let local_instance = DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data)?;
     let collection = DbArticleCollection::read_local(&local_instance, &data).await?;
     Ok(FederationJson(WithContext::new_default(collection)))
 }
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ async fn http_get_article(
     Path(title): Path<String>,
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<FederationJson<WithContext<ApubArticle>>> {
-    let article = DbArticle::read_local_title(&title, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article = DbArticle::read_local_title(&title, &data)?;
     let json = article.into_json(&data).await?;
     Ok(FederationJson(WithContext::new_default(json)))
 }
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ async fn http_get_article_edits(
     Path(title): Path<String>,
     data: Data<IbisData>,
 ) -> MyResult<FederationJson<WithContext<ApubEditCollection>>> {
-    let article = DbArticle::read_local_title(&title, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article = DbArticle::read_local_title(&title, &data)?;
     let json = DbEditCollection::read_local(&article, &data).await?;
     Ok(FederationJson(WithContext::new_default(json)))
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/mod.rs b/src/backend/mod.rs
index ed969e7..559b97e 100644
--- a/src/backend/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/mod.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ use axum::Server;
 use axum::ServiceExt;
 use axum::{middleware::Next, response::Response, Router};
 use chrono::Local;
+use diesel::r2d2::ConnectionManager;
+use diesel::r2d2::Pool;
 use diesel::Connection;
 use diesel::PgConnection;
 use diesel_migrations::embed_migrations;
@@ -46,15 +48,17 @@ const MIGRATIONS: EmbeddedMigrations = embed_migrations!("migrations");
 const FEDERATION_ROUTES_PREFIX: &str = "/federation_routes";
 
 pub async fn start(config: IbisConfig) -> MyResult<()> {
-    let db_connection = Arc::new(Mutex::new(PgConnection::establish(&config.database_url)?));
-    db_connection
-        .lock()
-        .unwrap()
-        .run_pending_migrations(MIGRATIONS)
-        .unwrap();
+    let manager = ConnectionManager::<PgConnection>::new(&config.database.connection_url);
+    let db_pool = Pool::builder()
+        .max_size(config.database.pool_size)
+        .build(manager)?;
 
+    db_pool
+        .get()?
+        .run_pending_migrations(MIGRATIONS)
+        .expect("run migrations");
     let data = IbisData {
-        db_connection,
+        db_pool,
         config,
     };
     let data = FederationConfig::builder()
@@ -66,7 +70,7 @@ pub async fn start(config: IbisConfig) -> MyResult<()> {
         .await?;
 
     // Create local instance if it doesnt exist yet
-    if DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data.db_connection).is_err() {
+    if DbInstance::read_local_instance(&data).is_err() {
         setup(&data.to_request_data()).await?;
     }
 
@@ -129,7 +133,7 @@ async fn setup(data: &Data<IbisData>) -> Result<(), Error> {
         last_refreshed_at: Local::now().into(),
         local: true,
     };
-    let instance = DbInstance::create(&form, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let instance = DbInstance::create(&form, data)?;
 
     let person = DbPerson::create_local(
         data.config.setup.admin_username.clone(),
@@ -149,7 +153,7 @@ async fn setup(data: &Data<IbisData>) -> Result<(), Error> {
         instance_id: instance.id,
         local: true,
     };
-    let article = DbArticle::create(form, &data.db_connection)?;
+    let article = DbArticle::create(form, data)?;
     // also create an article so its included in most recently edited list
     submit_article_update(
         MAIN_PAGE_DEFAULT_TEXT.to_string(),
diff --git a/src/frontend/mod.rs b/src/frontend/mod.rs
index 129782a..437bb66 100644
--- a/src/frontend/mod.rs
+++ b/src/frontend/mod.rs
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ fn backend_hostname() -> String {
     }
     #[cfg(feature = "ssr")]
     {
-        backend_hostname = crate::backend::config::IbisConfig::read().bind.to_string();
+        backend_hostname = crate::backend::config::IbisConfig::read().unwrap().bind.to_string();
     }
     backend_hostname
 }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index bfca7df..f7da268 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ pub async fn main() -> ibis_lib::backend::error::MyResult<()> {
         .filter_module("ibis", LevelFilter::Info)
         .init();
 
-    let ibis_config = IbisConfig::read();
+    let ibis_config = IbisConfig::read()?;
     ibis_lib::backend::start(ibis_config).await?;
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/tests/common.rs b/tests/common.rs
index 6eb0917..0e38a98 100644
--- a/tests/common.rs
+++ b/tests/common.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use ibis_lib::backend::config::{IbisConfig, IbisConfigFederation};
+use ibis_lib::backend::config::{IbisConfig, IbisConfigDatabase, IbisConfigFederation};
 use ibis_lib::backend::start;
 use ibis_lib::common::RegisterUserData;
 use ibis_lib::frontend::api::ApiClient;
@@ -105,12 +105,15 @@ impl IbisInstance {
     }
 
     async fn start(db_path: String, port: i32, username: &str) -> Self {
-        let database_url = format!("postgresql://ibis:password@/ibis?host={db_path}");
+        let connection_url = format!("postgresql://ibis:password@/ibis?host={db_path}");
         let hostname = format!("localhost:{port}");
         let bind = format!("127.0.0.1:{port}").parse().unwrap();
         let config = IbisConfig {
             bind,
-            database_url,
+            database: IbisConfigDatabase {
+                connection_url,
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
             registration_open: true,
             federation: IbisConfigFederation {
                 domain: hostname.clone(),