diff --git a/bookwyrm/forms/admin.py b/bookwyrm/forms/admin.py
index 4141327d3..ae15e011b 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/forms/admin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/forms/admin.py
@@ -2,13 +2,14 @@
 import datetime
 
 from django import forms
+from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.forms import widgets
 from django.utils import timezone
 from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
 from django_celery_beat.models import IntervalSchedule
 
 from bookwyrm import models
-from .custom_form import CustomForm
+from .custom_form import CustomForm, StyledForm
 
 
 # pylint: disable=missing-class-docstring
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ class AutoModRuleForm(CustomForm):
         fields = ["string_match", "flag_users", "flag_statuses", "created_by"]
 
 
-class IntervalScheduleForm(CustomForm):
+class IntervalScheduleForm(StyledForm):
     class Meta:
         model = IntervalSchedule
         fields = ["every", "period"]
@@ -139,3 +140,10 @@ class IntervalScheduleForm(CustomForm):
             "every": forms.NumberInput(attrs={"aria-describedby": "desc_every"}),
             "period": forms.Select(attrs={"aria-describedby": "desc_period"}),
         }
+
+    # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
+    def save(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
+        """This is an outside model so the perms check works differently"""
+        if not request.user.has_perm("bookwyrm.moderate_user"):
+            raise PermissionDenied()
+        return super().save(*args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/forms/custom_form.py b/bookwyrm/forms/custom_form.py
index 74a3417a2..c604deea4 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/forms/custom_form.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/forms/custom_form.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from django.forms import ModelForm
 from django.forms.widgets import Textarea
 
 
-class CustomForm(ModelForm):
+class StyledForm(ModelForm):
     """add css classes to the forms"""
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class CustomForm(ModelForm):
         css_classes["checkbox"] = "checkbox"
         css_classes["textarea"] = "textarea"
         # pylint: disable=super-with-arguments
-        super(CustomForm, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         for visible in self.visible_fields():
             if hasattr(visible.field.widget, "input_type"):
                 input_type = visible.field.widget.input_type
@@ -24,3 +24,13 @@ class CustomForm(ModelForm):
                 input_type = "textarea"
                 visible.field.widget.attrs["rows"] = 5
             visible.field.widget.attrs["class"] = css_classes[input_type]
+
+
+class CustomForm(StyledForm):
+    """Check permissions on save"""
+
+    # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
+    def save(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Save and check perms"""
+        self.instance.raise_not_editable(request.user)
+        return super().save(*args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/migrations/0158_auto_20220919_1634.py b/bookwyrm/migrations/0158_auto_20220919_1634.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c7cce19fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/migrations/0158_auto_20220919_1634.py
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# Generated by Django 3.2.15 on 2022-09-19 16:34
+
+import bookwyrm.models.fields
+from django.db import migrations, models
+import django.utils.timezone
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ("bookwyrm", "0157_auto_20220909_2338"),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="automod",
+            name="created_date",
+            field=models.DateTimeField(
+                auto_now_add=True, default=django.utils.timezone.now
+            ),
+            preserve_default=False,
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="automod",
+            name="remote_id",
+            field=bookwyrm.models.fields.RemoteIdField(
+                max_length=255,
+                null=True,
+                validators=[bookwyrm.models.fields.validate_remote_id],
+            ),
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="automod",
+            name="updated_date",
+            field=models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True),
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="emailblocklist",
+            name="remote_id",
+            field=bookwyrm.models.fields.RemoteIdField(
+                max_length=255,
+                null=True,
+                validators=[bookwyrm.models.fields.validate_remote_id],
+            ),
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="emailblocklist",
+            name="updated_date",
+            field=models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True),
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="ipblocklist",
+            name="remote_id",
+            field=bookwyrm.models.fields.RemoteIdField(
+                max_length=255,
+                null=True,
+                validators=[bookwyrm.models.fields.validate_remote_id],
+            ),
+        ),
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="ipblocklist",
+            name="updated_date",
+            field=models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/antispam.py b/bookwyrm/models/antispam.py
index dbc4aa54e..c40f9dfb9 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/antispam.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/antispam.py
@@ -3,18 +3,33 @@ from functools import reduce
 import operator
 
 from django.apps import apps
+from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.db import models, transaction
 from django.db.models import Q
 from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
 
 from bookwyrm.tasks import app
+from .base_model import BookWyrmModel
 from .user import User
 
 
-class EmailBlocklist(models.Model):
+class AdminModel(BookWyrmModel):
+    """Overrides the permissions methods"""
+
+    class Meta:
+        """this is just here to provide default fields for other models"""
+
+        abstract = True
+
+    def raise_not_editable(self, viewer):
+        if viewer.has_perm("bookwyrm.moderate_user"):
+            return
+        raise PermissionDenied()
+
+
+class EmailBlocklist(AdminModel):
     """blocked email addresses"""
 
-    created_date = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
     domain = models.CharField(max_length=255, unique=True)
     is_active = models.BooleanField(default=True)
 
@@ -29,10 +44,9 @@ class EmailBlocklist(models.Model):
         return User.objects.filter(email__endswith=f"@{self.domain}")
 
 
-class IPBlocklist(models.Model):
+class IPBlocklist(AdminModel):
     """blocked ip addresses"""
 
-    created_date = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
     address = models.CharField(max_length=255, unique=True)
     is_active = models.BooleanField(default=True)
 
@@ -42,7 +56,7 @@ class IPBlocklist(models.Model):
         ordering = ("-created_date",)
 
 
-class AutoMod(models.Model):
+class AutoMod(AdminModel):
     """rules to automatically flag suspicious activity"""
 
     string_match = models.CharField(max_length=200, unique=True)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/report.py b/bookwyrm/models/report.py
index d161c0349..f6e665053 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/report.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/report.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """ flagged for moderation """
+from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.db import models
+
 from bookwyrm.settings import DOMAIN
 from .base_model import BookWyrmModel
 
@@ -21,6 +23,12 @@ class Report(BookWyrmModel):
     links = models.ManyToManyField("Link", blank=True)
     resolved = models.BooleanField(default=False)
 
+    def raise_not_editable(self, viewer):
+        """instead of user being the owner field, it's reporter"""
+        if self.reporter == viewer or viewer.has_perm("bookwyrm.moderate_user"):
+            return
+        raise PermissionDenied()
+
     def get_remote_id(self):
         return f"https://{DOMAIN}/settings/reports/{self.id}"
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/site.py b/bookwyrm/models/site.py
index 7730391f1..0f56162b1 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/site.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/site.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import datetime
 from urllib.parse import urljoin
 import uuid
 
+from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.db import models, IntegrityError
 from django.dispatch import receiver
 from django.utils import timezone
@@ -15,7 +16,23 @@ from .user import User
 from .fields import get_absolute_url
 
 
-class SiteSettings(models.Model):
+class SiteModel(models.Model):
+    """we just need edit perms"""
+
+    class Meta:
+        """this is just here to provide default fields for other models"""
+
+        abstract = True
+
+    # pylint: disable=no-self-use
+    def raise_not_editable(self, viewer):
+        """Check if the user has the right permissions"""
+        if viewer.has_perm("bookwyrm.edit_instance_settings"):
+            return
+        raise PermissionDenied()
+
+
+class SiteSettings(SiteModel):
     """customized settings for this instance"""
 
     name = models.CharField(default="BookWyrm", max_length=100)
@@ -115,7 +132,7 @@ class SiteSettings(models.Model):
         super().save(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
-class Theme(models.Model):
+class Theme(SiteModel):
     """Theme files"""
 
     created_date = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
@@ -138,6 +155,13 @@ class SiteInvite(models.Model):
     user = models.ForeignKey(User, on_delete=models.CASCADE)
     invitees = models.ManyToManyField(User, related_name="invitees")
 
+    # pylint: disable=no-self-use
+    def raise_not_editable(self, viewer):
+        """Admins only"""
+        if viewer.has_perm("bookwyrm.create_invites"):
+            return
+        raise PermissionDenied()
+
     def valid(self):
         """make sure it hasn't expired or been used"""
         return (self.expiry is None or self.expiry > timezone.now()) and (
@@ -161,6 +185,12 @@ class InviteRequest(BookWyrmModel):
     invite_sent = models.BooleanField(default=False)
     ignored = models.BooleanField(default=False)
 
+    def raise_not_editable(self, viewer):
+        """Only check perms on edit, not create"""
+        if not self.id or viewer.has_perm("bookwyrm.create_invites"):
+            return
+        raise PermissionDenied()
+
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """don't create a request for a registered email"""
         if not self.id and User.objects.filter(email=self.email).exists():
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/user.py b/bookwyrm/models/user.py
index 8a2b8082f..055941d8c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/user.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from urllib.parse import urlparse
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.contrib.auth.models import AbstractUser, Group
 from django.contrib.postgres.fields import ArrayField, CICharField
+from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from django.dispatch import receiver
 from django.db import models, transaction
 from django.utils import timezone
@@ -401,6 +402,12 @@ class User(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, AbstractUser):
                 editable=False,
             ).save(broadcast=False)
 
+    def raise_not_editable(self, viewer):
+        """Who can edit the user object?"""
+        if self == viewer or viewer.has_perm("bookwyrm.moderate_user"):
+            return
+        raise PermissionDenied()
+
 
 class KeyPair(ActivitypubMixin, BookWyrmModel):
     """public and private keys for a user"""
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/settings/themes.html b/bookwyrm/templates/settings/themes.html
index afa3f0be4..628b04d77 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/settings/themes.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/settings/themes.html
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@
         method="POST"
         action="{% url 'settings-themes' %}"
         class="box"
-        enctype="multipart/form-data"
     >
     <fieldset>
         {% csrf_token %}
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_automod.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_automod.py
index 95db4d52f..a1c03d436 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_automod.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_automod.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 class AutomodViews(TestCase):
     """every response to a get request, html or json"""
 
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     def setUp(self):
         """we need basic test data and mocks"""
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py
index 33d7990b3..95b3225d5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_federation.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 class FederationViews(TestCase):
     """every response to a get request, html or json"""
 
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     def setUp(self):
         """we need basic test data and mocks"""
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_themes.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_themes.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bc6377681
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/admin/test_themes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+""" test for app action functionality """
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from django.contrib.auth.models import Group
+from django.core.exceptions import PermissionDenied
+from django.template.response import TemplateResponse
+from django.test import TestCase
+from django.test.client import RequestFactory
+
+from bookwyrm import forms, models, views
+from bookwyrm.management.commands import initdb
+from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
+
+
+class AdminThemesViews(TestCase):
+    """Edit site settings"""
+
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+    def setUp(self):
+        """we need basic test data and mocks"""
+        self.factory = RequestFactory()
+        with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
+        ), patch("bookwyrm.lists_stream.populate_lists_task.delay"):
+            self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+                "mouse@local.com",
+                "mouse@mouse.mouse",
+                "password",
+                local=True,
+                localname="mouse",
+            )
+            self.another_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+                "rat@local.com",
+                "rat@rat.rat",
+                "password",
+                local=True,
+                localname="rat",
+            )
+        initdb.init_groups()
+        initdb.init_permissions()
+        group = Group.objects.get(name="admin")
+        self.local_user.groups.set([group])
+
+        self.site = models.SiteSettings.objects.create()
+
+    def test_themes_get(self):
+        """there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS"""
+        view = views.Themes.as_view()
+        request = self.factory.get("")
+        request.user = self.local_user
+
+        result = view(request)
+        self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
+        validate_html(result.render())
+        self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
+
+    def test_themes_post(self):
+        """there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS"""
+        view = views.Themes.as_view()
+
+        form = forms.ThemeForm()
+        form.data["name"] = "test theme"
+        form.data["path"] = "not/a/path.scss"
+        request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
+        request.user = self.local_user
+
+        result = view(request)
+
+        self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
+        validate_html(result.render())
+        self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 200)
+
+        theme = models.Theme.objects.last()
+        self.assertEqual(theme.name, "test theme")
+        self.assertEqual(theme.path, "not/a/path.scss")
+
+    def test_themes_post_forbidden(self):
+        """there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS"""
+        view = views.Themes.as_view()
+
+        form = forms.ThemeForm()
+        form.data["name"] = "test theme"
+        form.data["path"] = "not/a/path.scss"
+        request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
+        request.user = self.another_user
+
+        with self.assertRaises(PermissionDenied):
+            view(request)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/landing/test_invite.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/landing/test_invite.py
index a58771873..a96ecb9f2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/landing/test_invite.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/landing/test_invite.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 class InviteViews(TestCase):
     """every response to a get request, html or json"""
 
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     def setUp(self):
         """we need basic test data and mocks"""
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
@@ -82,6 +83,7 @@ class InviteViews(TestCase):
 
         view = views.InviteRequest.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
+        request.user = self.local_user
 
         result = view(request)
         validate_html(result.render())
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ class InviteViews(TestCase):
 
         view = views.InviteRequest.as_view()
         request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
+        request.user = self.local_user
 
         result = view(request)
         validate_html(result.render())
@@ -109,6 +112,7 @@ class InviteViews(TestCase):
         request = self.factory.get("")
         request.user = self.local_user
         request.user.is_superuser = True
+
         result = view(request)
         self.assertIsInstance(result, TemplateResponse)
         validate_html(result.render())
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/lists/test_lists.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/lists/test_lists.py
index e55baae25..38a97c412 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/lists/test_lists.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/lists/test_lists.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 class ListViews(TestCase):
     """lists of lists"""
 
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     def setUp(self):
         """we need basic test data and mocks"""
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_report.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_report.py
index 85dca8aea..487b02929 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_report.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_report.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from bookwyrm.tests.validate_html import validate_html
 class ReportViews(TestCase):
     """every response to a get request, html or json"""
 
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     def setUp(self):
         """we need basic test data and mocks"""
         self.factory = RequestFactory()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/announcements.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/announcements.py
index 47bb4ab94..0b5ce9fa4 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/announcements.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/announcements.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class EditAnnouncement(View):
             return TemplateResponse(
                 request, "settings/announcements/edit_announcement.html", data
             )
-        announcement = form.save()
+        announcement = form.save(request)
         return redirect("settings-announcements", announcement.id)
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/automod.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/automod.py
index 65eae71a9..9a32dd9ee 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/automod.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/automod.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class AutoMod(View):
         """add rule"""
         form = forms.AutoModRuleForm(request.POST)
         if form.is_valid():
-            form.save()
+            form.save(request)
             form = forms.AutoModRuleForm()
 
         data = automod_view_data()
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def schedule_automod_task(request):
         return TemplateResponse(request, "settings/automod/rules.html", data)
 
     with transaction.atomic():
-        schedule = form.save()
+        schedule = form.save(request)
         PeriodicTask.objects.get_or_create(
             interval=schedule,
             name="automod-task",
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/email_blocklist.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/email_blocklist.py
index eecad4ffb..c31fa7366 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/email_blocklist.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/email_blocklist.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class EmailBlocklist(View):
             return TemplateResponse(
                 request, "settings/email_blocklist/email_blocklist.html", data
             )
-        form.save()
+        form.save(request)
 
         data["form"] = forms.EmailBlocklistForm()
         return TemplateResponse(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/federation.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/federation.py
index 88bd43aac..e1cb80949 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/federation.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/federation.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class AddFederatedServer(View):
             return TemplateResponse(
                 request, "settings/federation/edit_instance.html", data
             )
-        server = form.save()
+        server = form.save(request)
         return redirect("settings-federated-server", server.id)
 
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class FederatedServer(View):
         """update note"""
         server = get_object_or_404(models.FederatedServer, id=server)
         server.notes = request.POST.get("notes")
-        server.save()
+        server.save(request)
         return redirect("settings-federated-server", server.id)
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/invite.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/invite.py
index 7da84c96c..5c9b61fde 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/invite.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/invite.py
@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@ class ManageInvites(View):
         if not form.is_valid():
             return HttpResponseBadRequest(f"ERRORS: {form.errors}")
 
-        invite = form.save(commit=False)
+        invite = form.save(request, commit=False)
         invite.user = request.user
-        invite.save()
+        invite.save(request)
 
         paginated = Paginator(
             models.SiteInvite.objects.filter(user=request.user).order_by(
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class InviteRequest(View):
         received = False
         if form.is_valid():
             received = True
-            form.save()
+            form.save(request)
 
         data = {"request_form": form, "request_received": received}
         return TemplateResponse(request, "landing/landing.html", data)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/ip_blocklist.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/ip_blocklist.py
index d57a2422c..a81bc738a 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/ip_blocklist.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/ip_blocklist.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class IPBlocklist(View):
             return TemplateResponse(
                 request, "settings/ip_blocklist/ip_blocklist.html", data
             )
-        form.save()
+        form.save(request)
 
         data["form"] = forms.IPBlocklistForm()
         return TemplateResponse(
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/link_domains.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/link_domains.py
index 0b8674170..6501834a1 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/link_domains.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/link_domains.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class LinkDomain(View):
         """Set display name"""
         domain = get_object_or_404(models.LinkDomain, id=domain_id)
         form = forms.LinkDomainForm(request.POST, instance=domain)
-        form.save()
+        form.save(request)
         return redirect("settings-link-domain", status=status)
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/site.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/site.py
index f345d9970..df3b12aa0 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/site.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/site.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class Site(View):
         if not form.is_valid():
             data = {"site_form": form}
             return TemplateResponse(request, "settings/site.html", data)
-        site = form.save()
+        site = form.save(request)
 
         data = {"site_form": forms.SiteForm(instance=site), "success": True}
         return TemplateResponse(request, "settings/site.html", data)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/themes.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/themes.py
index ae9a748d3..4d795fbe0 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/themes.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/themes.py
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ class Themes(View):
 
     def post(self, request):
         """edit the site settings"""
-        form = forms.ThemeForm(request.POST, request.FILES)
+        form = forms.ThemeForm(request.POST)
         if form.is_valid():
-            form.save()
+            form.save(request)
 
         data = get_view_data()
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/admin/user_admin.py b/bookwyrm/views/admin/user_admin.py
index 6ec6f93d2..c6827dcb7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/admin/user_admin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/admin/user_admin.py
@@ -88,6 +88,6 @@ class UserAdmin(View):
         else:
             form = forms.UserGroupForm(request.POST, instance=user)
             if form.is_valid():
-                form.save()
+                form.save(request)
         data = {"user": user, "group_form": form}
         return TemplateResponse(request, "settings/users/user.html", data)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/author.py b/bookwyrm/views/author.py
index c7b17310c..4dcf4c447 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/author.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/author.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class EditAuthor(View):
         if not form.is_valid():
             data = {"author": author, "form": form}
             return TemplateResponse(request, "author/edit_author.html", data)
-        author = form.save()
+        author = form.save(request)
 
         return redirect(f"/author/{author.id}")
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py b/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
index 09fc4d0c8..47b03b0cb 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class EditBook(View):
         for author_id in remove_authors:
             book.authors.remove(author_id)
 
-        book = form.save(commit=False)
+        book = form.save(request, commit=False)
 
         url = request.POST.get("cover-url")
         if url:
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class CreateBook(View):
             return TemplateResponse(request, "book/edit/edit_book.html", data)
 
         with transaction.atomic():
-            book = form.save()
+            book = form.save(request)
             parent_work = get_object_or_404(models.Work, id=parent_work_id)
             book.parent_work = parent_work
 
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class ConfirmEditBook(View):
 
         with transaction.atomic():
             # save book
-            book = form.save()
+            book = form.save(request)
 
             # add known authors
             authors = None
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/books/links.py b/bookwyrm/views/books/links.py
index 516210230..60153f8c3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/books/links.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/books/links.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class BookFileLinks(View):
         """Edit a link"""
         link = get_object_or_404(models.FileLink, id=link_id, book=book_id)
         form = forms.FileLinkForm(request.POST, instance=link)
-        form.save()
+        form.save(request)
         return self.get(request, book_id)
 
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class AddFileLink(View):
                 request, "book/file_links/file_link_page.html", data
             )
 
-        link = form.save()
+        link = form.save(request)
         book.file_links.add(link)
         book.last_edited_by = request.user
         book.save()
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/feed.py b/bookwyrm/views/feed.py
index eb4678f75..6d7aeb239 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/feed.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/feed.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class Feed(View):
         form = forms.FeedStatusTypesForm(request.POST, instance=request.user)
         if form.is_valid():
             # workaround to avoid broadcasting this change
-            user = form.save(commit=False)
+            user = form.save(request, commit=False)
             user.save(broadcast=False, update_fields=["feed_status_types"])
             filters_applied = True
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/get_started.py b/bookwyrm/views/get_started.py
index 3285c076f..fdb8824fa 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/get_started.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/get_started.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class GetStartedProfile(View):
         if not form.is_valid():
             data = {"form": form, "next": "get-started-books"}
             return TemplateResponse(request, "get_started/profile.html", data)
-        save_user_form(form)
+        save_user_form(request, form)
         return redirect(self.next_view)
 
 
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ class GetStartedBooks(View):
         for (book_id, shelf_id) in shelve_actions:
             book = get_object_or_404(models.Edition, id=book_id)
             shelf = get_object_or_404(models.Shelf, id=shelf_id)
-            shelf.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
             models.ShelfBook.objects.create(book=book, shelf=shelf, user=request.user)
         return redirect(self.next_view)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/goal.py b/bookwyrm/views/goal.py
index 57ff4bd75..b5fd5bdc2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/goal.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/goal.py
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ class Goal(View):
         year = int(year)
         user = get_user_from_username(request.user, username)
         goal = models.AnnualGoal.objects.filter(year=year, user=user).first()
-        if goal:
-            goal.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
         form = forms.GoalForm(request.POST, instance=goal)
         if not form.is_valid():
@@ -59,7 +57,7 @@ class Goal(View):
                 "year": year,
             }
             return TemplateResponse(request, "user/goal.html", data)
-        goal = form.save()
+        goal = form.save(request)
 
         if request.POST.get("post-status"):
             # create status, if appropriate
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/group.py b/bookwyrm/views/group.py
index b2271e78d..1ccfd6849 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/group.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/group.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class Group(View):
         form = forms.GroupForm(request.POST, instance=user_group)
         if not form.is_valid():
             return redirect("group", user_group.id)
-        user_group = form.save()
+        user_group = form.save(request)
 
         # let the other members know something about the group changed
         memberships = models.GroupMember.objects.filter(group=user_group)
@@ -113,10 +113,8 @@ class UserGroups(View):
         if not form.is_valid():
             return redirect(request.user.local_path + "/groups")
 
-        group = form.save(commit=False)
-        group.raise_not_editable(request.user)
         with transaction.atomic():
-            group.save()
+            group = form.save(request)
             # add the creator as a group member
             models.GroupMember.objects.create(group=group, user=request.user)
         return redirect("group", group.id)
@@ -129,10 +127,13 @@ class FindUsers(View):
     # this is mostly borrowed from the Get Started friend finder
 
     def get(self, request, group_id):
-        """basic profile info"""
+        """Search for a user to add the a group, or load suggested users cache"""
         user_query = request.GET.get("user_query")
         group = get_object_or_404(models.Group, id=group_id)
+
+        # only users who can edit can add users
         group.raise_not_editable(request.user)
+
         lists = (
             models.List.privacy_filter(request.user)
             .filter(group=group)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/list/curate.py b/bookwyrm/views/list/curate.py
index 924f37709..7155ffc43 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/list/curate.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/list/curate.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ class Curate(View):
     def post(self, request, list_id):
         """edit a book_list"""
         book_list = get_object_or_404(models.List, id=list_id)
-        book_list.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
         suggestion = get_object_or_404(models.ListItem, id=request.POST.get("item"))
         approved = request.POST.get("approved") == "true"
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/list/list.py b/bookwyrm/views/list/list.py
index d0b5e08f4..3797997a9 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/list/list.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/list/list.py
@@ -81,13 +81,12 @@ class List(View):
     def post(self, request, list_id):
         """edit a list"""
         book_list = get_object_or_404(models.List, id=list_id)
-        book_list.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
         form = forms.ListForm(request.POST, instance=book_list)
         if not form.is_valid():
             # this shouldn't happen
             raise Exception(form.errors)
-        book_list = form.save()
+        book_list = form.save(request)
         if not book_list.curation == "group":
             book_list.group = None
             book_list.save(broadcast=False)
@@ -196,7 +195,7 @@ def add_book(request):
     if not form.is_valid():
         return List().get(request, book_list.id, add_failed=True)
 
-    item = form.save(commit=False)
+    item = form.save(request, commit=False)
 
     if book_list.curation == "curated":
         # make a pending entry at the end of the list
@@ -242,7 +241,6 @@ def set_book_position(request, list_item_id):
     special care with the unique ordering per list.
     """
     list_item = get_object_or_404(models.ListItem, id=list_item_id)
-    list_item.book_list.raise_not_editable(request.user)
     try:
         int_position = int(request.POST.get("position"))
     except ValueError:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/list/list_item.py b/bookwyrm/views/list/list_item.py
index 6dca908fb..691df4da3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/list/list_item.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/list/list_item.py
@@ -16,10 +16,9 @@ class ListItem(View):
     def post(self, request, list_id, list_item):
         """Edit a list item's notes"""
         list_item = get_object_or_404(models.ListItem, id=list_item, book_list=list_id)
-        list_item.raise_not_editable(request.user)
         form = forms.ListItemForm(request.POST, instance=list_item)
         if form.is_valid():
-            item = form.save(commit=False)
+            item = form.save(request, commit=False)
             item.notes = to_markdown(item.notes)
             item.save()
         else:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/list/lists.py b/bookwyrm/views/list/lists.py
index ee6ff0867..2514fad58 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/list/lists.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/list/lists.py
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@ class Lists(View):
         form = forms.ListForm(request.POST)
         if not form.is_valid():
             return redirect("lists")
-        book_list = form.save(commit=False)
-        book_list.raise_not_editable(request.user)
+        book_list = form.save(request, commit=False)
 
         # list should not have a group if it is not group curated
         if not book_list.curation == "group":
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/preferences/edit_user.py b/bookwyrm/views/preferences/edit_user.py
index a1b5b3638..00bcd70aa 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/preferences/edit_user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/preferences/edit_user.py
@@ -34,14 +34,14 @@ class EditUser(View):
             data = {"form": form, "user": request.user}
             return TemplateResponse(request, "preferences/edit_user.html", data)
 
-        user = save_user_form(form)
+        user = save_user_form(request, form)
 
         return set_language(user, redirect("user-feed", request.user.localname))
 
 
-def save_user_form(form):
+def save_user_form(request, form):
     """special handling for the user form"""
-    user = form.save(commit=False)
+    user = form.save(request, commit=False)
 
     if "avatar" in form.files:
         # crop and resize avatar upload
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/reading.py b/bookwyrm/views/reading.py
index 482da3cd0..328dfd7fa 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/reading.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/reading.py
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ class ReadThrough(View):
                     models.ReadThrough, id=request.POST.get("id")
                 )
             return TemplateResponse(request, "readthrough/readthrough.html", data)
-        form.save()
+        form.save(request)
         return redirect("book", book_id)
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/report.py b/bookwyrm/views/report.py
index 118f67988..121b7a232 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/report.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/report.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class Report(View):
         if not form.is_valid():
             raise ValueError(form.errors)
 
-        report = form.save()
+        report = form.save(request)
         if report.links.exists():
             # revert the domain to pending
             domain = report.links.first().domain
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf.py b/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf.py
index 378b346b3..0c3074902 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf.py
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@ class Shelf(View):
         """edit a shelf"""
         user = get_user_from_username(request.user, username)
         shelf = get_object_or_404(user.shelf_set, identifier=shelf_identifier)
-        shelf.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
         # you can't change the name of the default shelves
         if not shelf.editable and request.POST.get("name") != shelf.name:
@@ -122,7 +121,7 @@ class Shelf(View):
         form = forms.ShelfForm(request.POST, instance=shelf)
         if not form.is_valid():
             return redirect(shelf.local_path)
-        shelf = form.save()
+        shelf = form.save(request)
         return redirect(shelf.local_path)
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf_actions.py b/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf_actions.py
index 7dbb83dea..d2aa7d566 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf_actions.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/shelf/shelf_actions.py
@@ -15,9 +15,7 @@ def create_shelf(request):
     if not form.is_valid():
         return redirect("user-shelves", request.user.localname)
 
-    shelf = form.save(commit=False)
-    shelf.raise_not_editable(request.user)
-    shelf.save()
+    shelf = form.save(request)
     return redirect(shelf.local_path)
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/status.py b/bookwyrm/views/status.py
index e4eb5ada5..dc6bbc579 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/status.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ class EditStatus(View):
         status = get_object_or_404(
             models.Status.objects.select_subclasses(), id=status_id
         )
-        status.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
         status_type = "reply" if status.reply_parent else status.status_type.lower()
         data = {
@@ -65,7 +64,6 @@ class CreateStatus(View):
             existing_status = get_object_or_404(
                 models.Status.objects.select_subclasses(), id=existing_status_id
             )
-            existing_status.raise_not_editable(request.user)
             existing_status.edited_date = timezone.now()
 
         status_type = status_type[0].upper() + status_type[1:]
@@ -84,8 +82,7 @@ class CreateStatus(View):
                 return HttpResponseBadRequest()
             return redirect("/")
 
-        status = form.save(commit=False)
-        status.raise_not_editable(request.user)
+        status = form.save(request)
         # save the plain, unformatted version of the status for future editing
         status.raw_content = status.content
         if hasattr(status, "quote"):
@@ -167,7 +164,6 @@ def edit_readthrough(request):
     """can't use the form because the dates are too finnicky"""
     # TODO: remove this, it duplicates the code in the ReadThrough view
     readthrough = get_object_or_404(models.ReadThrough, id=request.POST.get("id"))
-    readthrough.raise_not_editable(request.user)
 
     readthrough.start_date = load_date_in_user_tz_as_utc(
         request.POST.get("start_date"), request.user