> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://pdsx.zzstoatzz.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Read Any Repository

> Explore public records using handles or DIDs

pdsx can read public records from any repository without authentication using the `-r` flag.

## basic usage

### read with handle

```bash theme={null}
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.feed.post --limit 5
```

pdsx automatically discovers the correct PDS:

1. handle → DID (via DNS TXT or HTTPS well-known)
2. DID → PDS URL (from DID document)
3. fetches records from correct PDS

<Note>
  **automatic PDS discovery** works for any handle or DID, including custom PDS instances. no manual configuration needed!
</Note>

### read with DID (more durable)

```bash theme={null}
pdsx -r did:plc:44ybard66vv44zksje25o7dz ls app.bsky.feed.post --limit 5
```

DIDs are permanent identifiers - they don't change if user updates their handle.

## handles vs DIDs

handles can change or be reassigned. DIDs are permanent. use DIDs for automation or long-term references.

## pagination

```bash theme={null}
# first page
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.feed.post --limit 10
# next page cursor: 3lyqmkpiprs2w

# next page
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.feed.post --limit 10 --cursor 3lyqmkpiprs2w
```

cursors are opaque tokens. for json/yaml output, they go to stderr to avoid breaking parsing. for compact/table output, they appear after results. both humans and LLMs can copy the cursor value for the next command.

## output formats

```bash theme={null}
# json (for jq pipelines)
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.feed.post -o json | jq -r '.[].text'

# yaml
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.actor.profile -o yaml

# table
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.feed.post -o table --limit 5

# compact (default)
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.feed.post
```

## examples

```bash theme={null}
# read someone's bio
pdsx -r zzstoatzz.io ls app.bsky.actor.profile -o json | jq -r '.[0].description'

# get recent posts
pdsx -r did:plc:o53crari67ge7bvbv273lxln ls app.bsky.feed.post --limit 3 -o json
```

## common collections

| collection               | contains     |
| ------------------------ | ------------ |
| `app.bsky.feed.post`     | posts/skeets |
| `app.bsky.actor.profile` | user profile |
| `app.bsky.feed.like`     | likes        |
| `app.bsky.graph.follow`  | follows      |
| `app.bsky.feed.repost`   | reposts      |
| `app.bsky.graph.list`    | lists        |

## what's next

* [URI troubleshooting](/quickstart#invalid-uri-format) - understand URI formats
* [configure for writes](/guides/configure-for-writes) - set up authentication
* [repositories concept](/concepts/repositories) - understand the data model
* [addressing concept](/concepts/addressing) - deep dive into DIDs and handles