diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c82f138..b48db5b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -16,23 +16,41 @@ This project was created through "vibe coding" - a collaborative development app
 - **Timeline Switching**: Easy navigation between Home, Mentions, Local, and Federated timelines
 - **Desktop Notifications**: Cross-platform notifications for mentions, direct messages, and timeline updates
 - **Customizable Audio Feedback**: Rich sound pack system with themed audio notifications
+- **Soundpack Manager**: Secure repository-based soundpack discovery and installation
+- **Smart Autocomplete**: Mention completion with full fediverse handles (@user@instance.com)
+- **Comprehensive Emoji Support**: 5,000+ Unicode emojis with keyword search
+- **Auto-refresh**: Intelligent timeline updates based on user activity
 - **Clean Interface**: Focused on functionality over visual design
 - **Keyboard Navigation**: Complete keyboard control with intuitive shortcuts
 
 ## Audio System
 
 Bifrost includes a sophisticated sound system with:
-- Customizable sound packs (includes Default sounds)
-- Audio feedback for all major actions
-- Per-event volume control
-- Cross-platform audio support
+- **Soundpack Manager**: Secure HTTPS-based repository system
+- **Repository Management**: Add/remove soundpack repositories with validation
+- **One-click Installation**: Download, validate, and install soundpacks securely
+- **Customizable Sound Packs**: Themed audio notifications (Default pack included)
+- **Audio Feedback**: Sound events for all major actions and notifications
+- **Per-event Volume Control**: Fine-tune individual sound effects
+- **Cross-platform Audio Support**: Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS
+
+## Compose Features
+
+- **Mention Autocomplete**: Type `@` to get suggestions from followers/following/search
+- **Full Fediverse Handles**: Completes to full format (@user@instance.com)
+- **Emoji Autocomplete**: Type `:` to search 5,000+ Unicode emojis
+- **Keyword Search**: Find emojis by typing keywords (`:fire`, `:heart`, `:grin`)
+- **Real-time Character Count**: Visual feedback with limit warnings
+- **Content Warnings**: Optional spoiler text support
+- **Visibility Controls**: Public, Unlisted, Followers-only, or Direct messages
 
 ## Technology Stack
 
 - **PySide6**: Main GUI framework for proven accessibility
-- **ActivityPub**: Full federation protocol support
+- **ActivityPub**: Full federation protocol support  
 - **simpleaudio**: Cross-platform audio with subprocess fallback
 - **Plyer**: Cross-platform desktop notifications
+- **emoji**: Comprehensive Unicode emoji library (5,000+ emojis)
 - **XDG Base Directory**: Standards-compliant configuration storage
 
 ## Keyboard Shortcuts
@@ -60,9 +78,18 @@ Bifrost includes a sophisticated sound system with:
 - **Enter**: Expand/collapse threads
 - **Tab**: Move between interface elements
 
+### Compose Dialog
+- **Ctrl+Enter**: Send post
+- **@**: Trigger mention autocomplete
+- **:**: Trigger emoji autocomplete  
+- **Arrow Keys**: Navigate autocomplete suggestions
+- **Enter/Tab**: Accept selected completion
+- **Escape**: Close autocomplete or cancel compose
+
 ### Application
 - **Ctrl+,**: Open Settings
 - **Ctrl+Shift+A**: Add new account
+- **Ctrl+Alt+S**: Open Soundpack Manager
 - **Ctrl+Q**: Quit application
 
 ## Installation
@@ -76,7 +103,7 @@ python bifrost.py
 
 Or on Arch Linux:
 ```bash
-sudo pacman -S python-pyside6 python-requests python-simpleaudio
+sudo pacman -S python-pyside6 python-requests python-simpleaudio python-emoji
 yay -S python-plyer
 ```
 
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 8da3a7c..7a88be3 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 PySide6>=6.0.0
 requests>=2.25.0
 simpleaudio>=1.0.4
-plyer>=2.1.0
\ No newline at end of file
+plyer>=2.1.0
+emoji>=2.0.0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/activitypub/client.py b/src/activitypub/client.py
index 299027d..920618e 100644
--- a/src/activitypub/client.py
+++ b/src/activitypub/client.py
@@ -178,6 +178,35 @@ class ActivityPubClient:
         endpoint = f'/api/v1/accounts/{account_id}/unfollow'
         return self._make_request('POST', endpoint)
         
+    def get_followers(self, account_id: str, max_id: Optional[str] = None, limit: int = 40) -> List[Dict]:
+        """Get followers for an account"""
+        params = {'limit': limit}
+        if max_id:
+            params['max_id'] = max_id
+            
+        endpoint = f'/api/v1/accounts/{account_id}/followers'
+        return self._make_request('GET', endpoint, params=params)
+    
+    def get_following(self, account_id: str, max_id: Optional[str] = None, limit: int = 40) -> List[Dict]:
+        """Get accounts that an account is following"""
+        params = {'limit': limit}
+        if max_id:
+            params['max_id'] = max_id
+            
+        endpoint = f'/api/v1/accounts/{account_id}/following'
+        return self._make_request('GET', endpoint, params=params)
+    
+    def search_accounts(self, query: str, limit: int = 10) -> List[Dict]:
+        """Search for accounts by username"""
+        params = {
+            'q': query,
+            'type': 'accounts',
+            'limit': limit
+        }
+        
+        result = self._make_request('GET', '/api/v2/search', params=params)
+        return result.get('accounts', [])
+
     def search(self, query: str, account_id: Optional[str] = None, 
               max_id: Optional[str] = None, min_id: Optional[str] = None,
               type_filter: Optional[str] = None, limit: int = 20) -> Dict:
diff --git a/src/widgets/autocomplete_textedit.py b/src/widgets/autocomplete_textedit.py
index 316732b..733ca96 100644
--- a/src/widgets/autocomplete_textedit.py
+++ b/src/widgets/autocomplete_textedit.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import QTextEdit, QCompleter, QListWidget, QListWidgetIte
 from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, Signal, QStringListModel, QRect
 from PySide6.QtGui import QTextCursor, QKeyEvent
 import re
+import emoji
 from typing import List, Dict
 
 
@@ -28,113 +29,63 @@ class AutocompleteTextEdit(QTextEdit):
         self.completion_start = 0
         self.completion_type = None  # 'mention' or 'emoji'
         
-        # Load default emojis
-        self.load_default_emojis()
+        # Load comprehensive emoji dataset
+        self.load_unicode_emojis()
         
-    def load_default_emojis(self):
-        """Load a comprehensive set of Unicode emojis"""
-        self.emoji_list = [
-            # Faces
-            {"shortcode": "smile", "emoji": "😄", "keywords": ["smile", "happy", "joy", "grin"]},
-            {"shortcode": "laughing", "emoji": "😆", "keywords": ["laugh", "haha", "funny", "lol"]},
-            {"shortcode": "wink", "emoji": "😉", "keywords": ["wink", "flirt", "hint"]},
-            {"shortcode": "thinking", "emoji": "🤔", "keywords": ["thinking", "hmm", "consider", "ponder"]},
-            {"shortcode": "shrug", "emoji": "🤷", "keywords": ["shrug", "dunno", "whatever", "idk"]},
-            {"shortcode": "facepalm", "emoji": "🤦", "keywords": ["facepalm", "disappointed", "doh", "frustrated"]},
-            {"shortcode": "crying", "emoji": "😭", "keywords": ["crying", "tears", "sad", "sob"]},
-            {"shortcode": "angry", "emoji": "😠", "keywords": ["angry", "mad", "furious", "upset"]},
-            {"shortcode": "cool", "emoji": "😎", "keywords": ["cool", "sunglasses", "awesome", "rad"]},
-            {"shortcode": "joy", "emoji": "😂", "keywords": ["joy", "laugh", "tears", "funny"]},
-            {"shortcode": "heart_eyes", "emoji": "😍", "keywords": ["heart", "eyes", "love", "crush"]},
-            {"shortcode": "kiss", "emoji": "😘", "keywords": ["kiss", "love", "smooch", "mwah"]},
-            {"shortcode": "tired", "emoji": "😴", "keywords": ["tired", "sleep", "sleepy", "zzz"]},
-            {"shortcode": "shocked", "emoji": "😱", "keywords": ["shocked", "surprised", "scared", "omg"]},
+    def load_unicode_emojis(self):
+        """Load comprehensive Unicode emoji dataset using emoji library"""
+        print("Loading Unicode emoji dataset...")
+        self.emoji_list = []
+        
+        # Get all emoji data from the emoji library
+        emoji_data = emoji.EMOJI_DATA
+        
+        for emoji_char, data in emoji_data.items():
+            # Skip emojis without names
+            if 'en' not in data:
+                continue
+                
+            # Extract shortcode from emoji library format (removes colons)
+            name = data['en'].strip()
+            if name.startswith(':') and name.endswith(':'):
+                shortcode = name[1:-1]  # Remove surrounding colons
+            else:
+                shortcode = name.lower().replace(' ', '_').replace('-', '_')
+                shortcode = re.sub(r'[^a-zA-Z0-9_]', '', shortcode)
             
-            # Hearts and symbols
-            {"shortcode": "heart", "emoji": "❤️", "keywords": ["heart", "love", "red", "romance"]},
-            {"shortcode": "blue_heart", "emoji": "💙", "keywords": ["blue", "heart", "love", "cold"]},
-            {"shortcode": "green_heart", "emoji": "💚", "keywords": ["green", "heart", "love", "nature"]},
-            {"shortcode": "yellow_heart", "emoji": "💛", "keywords": ["yellow", "heart", "love", "happy"]},
-            {"shortcode": "purple_heart", "emoji": "💜", "keywords": ["purple", "heart", "love", "royal"]},
-            {"shortcode": "black_heart", "emoji": "🖤", "keywords": ["black", "heart", "love", "dark"]},
-            {"shortcode": "broken_heart", "emoji": "💔", "keywords": ["broken", "heart", "sad", "breakup"]},
-            {"shortcode": "sparkling_heart", "emoji": "💖", "keywords": ["sparkling", "heart", "love", "sparkle"]},
+            if not shortcode:
+                continue
             
-            # Gestures
-            {"shortcode": "thumbsup", "emoji": "👍", "keywords": ["thumbs", "up", "good", "ok", "yes"]},
-            {"shortcode": "thumbsdown", "emoji": "👎", "keywords": ["thumbs", "down", "bad", "no", "dislike"]},
-            {"shortcode": "wave", "emoji": "👋", "keywords": ["wave", "hello", "hi", "goodbye", "bye"]},
-            {"shortcode": "clap", "emoji": "👏", "keywords": ["clap", "applause", "bravo", "good"]},
-            {"shortcode": "pray", "emoji": "🙏", "keywords": ["pray", "thanks", "please", "gratitude"]},
-            {"shortcode": "ok_hand", "emoji": "👌", "keywords": ["ok", "hand", "perfect", "good"]},
-            {"shortcode": "peace", "emoji": "✌️", "keywords": ["peace", "victory", "two", "fingers"]},
-            {"shortcode": "crossed_fingers", "emoji": "🤞", "keywords": ["crossed", "fingers", "luck", "hope"]},
+            # Create keywords from the shortcode
+            # Split shortcode by underscores to get individual words
+            words = shortcode.split('_')
+            keywords = []
+            for word in words:
+                if len(word) >= 2:  # Only add words with 2+ chars
+                    keywords.append(word.lower())
             
-            # Objects and symbols
-            {"shortcode": "fire", "emoji": "🔥", "keywords": ["fire", "hot", "flame", "lit"]},
-            {"shortcode": "star", "emoji": "⭐", "keywords": ["star", "favorite", "best", "top"]},
-            {"shortcode": "rainbow", "emoji": "🌈", "keywords": ["rainbow", "colorful", "pride", "weather"]},
-            {"shortcode": "lightning", "emoji": "⚡", "keywords": ["lightning", "bolt", "fast", "electric"]},
-            {"shortcode": "snowflake", "emoji": "❄️", "keywords": ["snowflake", "cold", "winter", "frozen"]},
-            {"shortcode": "sun", "emoji": "☀️", "keywords": ["sun", "sunny", "bright", "weather"]},
-            {"shortcode": "moon", "emoji": "🌙", "keywords": ["moon", "night", "crescent", "sleep"]},
-            {"shortcode": "cloud", "emoji": "☁️", "keywords": ["cloud", "weather", "sky", "cloudy"]},
+            # Add some common synonyms for frequent emojis
+            synonyms = {
+                'grinning_face': ['smile', 'happy', 'grin'],
+                'face_with_tears_of_joy': ['laugh', 'lol', 'funny'],
+                'red_heart': ['love', 'heart'],
+                'thumbs_up': ['good', 'ok', 'yes', 'like'],
+                'thumbs_down': ['bad', 'no', 'dislike'],
+                'fire': ['hot', 'lit', 'flame'],
+                'star': ['favorite', 'best'],
+                'waving_hand': ['hello', 'hi', 'bye'],
+            }
             
-            # Food and drinks
-            {"shortcode": "coffee", "emoji": "☕", "keywords": ["coffee", "drink", "morning", "caffeine"]},
-            {"shortcode": "tea", "emoji": "🍵", "keywords": ["tea", "drink", "hot", "green"]},
-            {"shortcode": "beer", "emoji": "🍺", "keywords": ["beer", "drink", "alcohol", "party"]},
-            {"shortcode": "wine", "emoji": "🍷", "keywords": ["wine", "drink", "alcohol", "red"]},
-            {"shortcode": "pizza", "emoji": "🍕", "keywords": ["pizza", "food", "italian", "slice"]},
-            {"shortcode": "burger", "emoji": "🍔", "keywords": ["burger", "food", "meat", "american"]},
-            {"shortcode": "cake", "emoji": "🎂", "keywords": ["cake", "birthday", "dessert", "sweet"]},
-            {"shortcode": "cookie", "emoji": "🍪", "keywords": ["cookie", "dessert", "sweet", "snack"]},
-            {"shortcode": "apple", "emoji": "🍎", "keywords": ["apple", "fruit", "red", "healthy"]},
-            {"shortcode": "banana", "emoji": "🍌", "keywords": ["banana", "fruit", "yellow", "monkey"]},
+            if shortcode in synonyms:
+                keywords.extend(synonyms[shortcode])
             
-            # Animals
-            {"shortcode": "cat", "emoji": "🐱", "keywords": ["cat", "kitten", "meow", "feline"]},
-            {"shortcode": "dog", "emoji": "🐶", "keywords": ["dog", "puppy", "woof", "canine"]},
-            {"shortcode": "mouse", "emoji": "🐭", "keywords": ["mouse", "small", "rodent", "squeak"]},
-            {"shortcode": "bear", "emoji": "🐻", "keywords": ["bear", "large", "forest", "cute"]},
-            {"shortcode": "panda", "emoji": "🐼", "keywords": ["panda", "bear", "black", "white"]},
-            {"shortcode": "lion", "emoji": "🦁", "keywords": ["lion", "king", "mane", "roar"]},
-            {"shortcode": "tiger", "emoji": "🐯", "keywords": ["tiger", "stripes", "orange", "wild"]},
-            {"shortcode": "fox", "emoji": "🦊", "keywords": ["fox", "red", "clever", "sly"]},
-            {"shortcode": "wolf", "emoji": "🐺", "keywords": ["wolf", "pack", "howl", "wild"]},
-            {"shortcode": "unicorn", "emoji": "🦄", "keywords": ["unicorn", "magic", "rainbow", "fantasy"]},
-            
-            # Activities and celebrations
-            {"shortcode": "party", "emoji": "🎉", "keywords": ["party", "celebration", "confetti", "fun"]},
-            {"shortcode": "birthday", "emoji": "🎂", "keywords": ["birthday", "cake", "celebration", "age"]},
-            {"shortcode": "gift", "emoji": "🎁", "keywords": ["gift", "present", "box", "surprise"]},
-            {"shortcode": "balloon", "emoji": "🎈", "keywords": ["balloon", "party", "float", "celebration"]},
-            {"shortcode": "music", "emoji": "🎵", "keywords": ["music", "notes", "song", "melody"]},
-            {"shortcode": "dance", "emoji": "💃", "keywords": ["dance", "woman", "party", "fun"]},
-            
-            # Halloween and seasonal
-            {"shortcode": "jack_o_lantern", "emoji": "🎃", "keywords": ["jack", "lantern", "pumpkin", "halloween"]},
-            {"shortcode": "ghost", "emoji": "👻", "keywords": ["ghost", "spooky", "halloween", "boo"]},
-            {"shortcode": "skull", "emoji": "💀", "keywords": ["skull", "death", "spooky", "halloween"]},
-            {"shortcode": "spider", "emoji": "🕷️", "keywords": ["spider", "web", "spooky", "halloween"]},
-            {"shortcode": "bat", "emoji": "🦇", "keywords": ["bat", "fly", "night", "halloween"]},
-            {"shortcode": "christmas_tree", "emoji": "🎄", "keywords": ["christmas", "tree", "holiday", "winter"]},
-            {"shortcode": "santa", "emoji": "🎅", "keywords": ["santa", "christmas", "holiday", "ho"]},
-            {"shortcode": "snowman", "emoji": "⛄", "keywords": ["snowman", "winter", "cold", "carrot"]},
-            
-            # Technology
-            {"shortcode": "computer", "emoji": "💻", "keywords": ["computer", "laptop", "tech", "work"]},
-            {"shortcode": "phone", "emoji": "📱", "keywords": ["phone", "mobile", "cell", "smartphone"]},
-            {"shortcode": "camera", "emoji": "📷", "keywords": ["camera", "photo", "picture", "snap"]},
-            {"shortcode": "video", "emoji": "📹", "keywords": ["video", "camera", "record", "film"]},
-            {"shortcode": "robot", "emoji": "🤖", "keywords": ["robot", "ai", "artificial", "intelligence"]},
-            
-            # Transportation
-            {"shortcode": "car", "emoji": "🚗", "keywords": ["car", "drive", "vehicle", "auto"]},
-            {"shortcode": "bike", "emoji": "🚲", "keywords": ["bike", "bicycle", "ride", "cycle"]},
-            {"shortcode": "plane", "emoji": "✈️", "keywords": ["plane", "airplane", "fly", "travel"]},
-            {"shortcode": "rocket", "emoji": "🚀", "keywords": ["rocket", "space", "launch", "fast"]},
-        ]
+            self.emoji_list.append({
+                "shortcode": shortcode,
+                "emoji": emoji_char,
+                "keywords": keywords
+            })
+        
+        # Loaded successfully
         
     def set_mention_list(self, mentions: List[str]):
         """Set the list of available mentions (usernames)"""
@@ -195,7 +146,7 @@ class AutocompleteTextEdit(QTextEdit):
             
         # Look backwards for @ or :
         start_pos = pos - 1
-        while start_pos >= 0 and text[start_pos] not in [' ', '\n', '\t']:
+        while start_pos >= 0 and start_pos < len(text) and text[start_pos] not in [' ', '\n', '\t']:
             start_pos -= 1
         start_pos += 1
         
@@ -255,6 +206,7 @@ class AutocompleteTextEdit(QTextEdit):
                 any(keyword.startswith(prefix_lower) for keyword in keywords)):
                 display_text = f"{shortcode} {emoji['emoji']}"
                 matches.append(display_text)
+                # Add to matches
                 
         if matches:
             self.show_completer(matches, prefix, start_pos, 'emoji')
@@ -291,7 +243,12 @@ class AutocompleteTextEdit(QTextEdit):
     def hide_completer(self):
         """Hide the completer"""
         if self.completer:
-            self.completer.popup().hide()
+            popup = self.completer.popup()
+            popup.hide()
+            # Clear the completion state
+            self.completion_prefix = ""
+            self.completion_start = 0
+            self.completion_type = None
             
     def insert_completion(self):
         """Insert the selected completion"""
@@ -303,7 +260,8 @@ class AutocompleteTextEdit(QTextEdit):
         if not current_index.isValid():
             return
             
-        completion = self.completer.currentCompletion()
+        # Get the actually selected completion from the popup
+        completion = current_index.data()
         
         # Replace the current prefix with the completion
         cursor = self.textCursor()
@@ -313,12 +271,43 @@ class AutocompleteTextEdit(QTextEdit):
         if self.completion_type == 'mention':
             cursor.insertText(f"@{completion} ")
         elif self.completion_type == 'emoji':
-            # Extract just the shortcode (before the emoji)
-            shortcode = completion.split()[0]
-            cursor.insertText(f":{shortcode}: ")
+            # Extract the actual emoji character (after the shortcode)
+            parts = completion.split(' ', 1)
+            if len(parts) >= 2:
+                emoji_char = parts[1].strip()
+                cursor.insertText(f"{emoji_char} ")
+            else:
+                # Fallback to shortcode format if parsing fails
+                shortcode = parts[0]
+                cursor.insertText(f":{shortcode}: ")
             
+        # Set the updated cursor position
+        self.setTextCursor(cursor)
         self.hide_completer()
         
+        # Try immediate focus restoration
+        self.setFocus(Qt.OtherFocusReason)
+        
+        # Also try with a delay as backup
+        from PySide6.QtCore import QTimer
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self.restore_focus_immediate)
+        QTimer.singleShot(100, self.restore_focus)
+        
+    def restore_focus_immediate(self):
+        """Immediate focus restoration attempt"""
+        self.setFocus(Qt.TabFocusReason)
+        self.ensureCursorVisible()
+        
+    def restore_focus(self):
+        """Delayed focus restoration as backup"""
+        # Ensure we're visible and enabled before taking focus
+        if self.isVisible() and self.isEnabled():
+            self.setFocus(Qt.TabFocusReason)  # Use TabFocusReason instead
+            self.activateWindow()  # Also activate the parent window
+            self.ensureCursorVisible()
+            # Force a repaint to ensure visual focus
+            self.update()
+        
     def update_mention_list(self, mentions: List[str]):
         """Update mention list (called from parent when data is ready)"""
         self.mention_list = mentions
diff --git a/src/widgets/compose_dialog.py b/src/widgets/compose_dialog.py
index 7ab3354..bc584d2 100644
--- a/src/widgets/compose_dialog.py
+++ b/src/widgets/compose_dialog.py
@@ -223,20 +223,92 @@ class ComposeDialog(QDialog):
         
     def load_mention_suggestions(self, prefix: str):
         """Load mention suggestions based on prefix"""
-        # TODO: Implement fetching followers/following from API
-        # For now, use expanded sample suggestions with realistic fediverse usernames
-        sample_mentions = [
-            "alice", "bob", "charlie", "diana", "eve", "frank", "grace", "henry", "ivy", "jack",
-            "admin", "moderator", "announcements", "news", "updates", "support", "help",
-            "alex_dev", "jane_artist", "mike_writer", "sarah_photographer", "tom_musician",
-            "community", "local_news", "tech_updates", "fedi_tips", "open_source",
-            "cat_lover", "dog_walker", "book_reader", "movie_fan", "game_dev", "web_designer",
-            "climate_activist", "space_enthusiast", "food_blogger", "travel_tales", "art_gallery"
-        ]
-        
-        # Filter by prefix (case insensitive)
-        filtered = [name for name in sample_mentions if name.lower().startswith(prefix.lower())]
-        self.text_edit.update_mention_list(filtered)
+        try:
+            # Get the active account and create API client
+            active_account = self.account_manager.get_active_account()
+            if not active_account:
+                return
+                
+            from activitypub.client import ActivityPubClient
+            client = ActivityPubClient(active_account.instance_url, active_account.access_token)
+            
+            # Get current user's account ID
+            current_user = client.verify_credentials()
+            current_account_id = current_user['id']
+            
+            # Collect usernames from multiple sources
+            usernames = set()
+            
+            # 1. Search for accounts matching the prefix
+            if len(prefix) >= 1:  # Search when user has typed at least 1 character
+                try:
+                    search_results = client.search_accounts(prefix, limit=10)
+                    for account in search_results:
+                        # Use full fediverse handle (acct field) or construct it
+                        full_handle = account.get('acct', '')
+                        if not full_handle:
+                            username = account.get('username', '')
+                            domain = account.get('url', '').split('/')[2] if account.get('url') else ''
+                            if username and domain:
+                                full_handle = f"{username}@{domain}"
+                            else:
+                                full_handle = username
+                        
+                        if full_handle:
+                            usernames.add(full_handle)
+                except Exception as e:
+                    print(f"Search failed: {e}")
+            
+            # 2. Get followers (people who follow you)
+            try:
+                followers = client.get_followers(current_account_id, limit=50)
+                for follower in followers:
+                    # Use full fediverse handle
+                    full_handle = follower.get('acct', '')
+                    if not full_handle:
+                        username = follower.get('username', '')
+                        domain = follower.get('url', '').split('/')[2] if follower.get('url') else ''
+                        if username and domain:
+                            full_handle = f"{username}@{domain}"
+                        else:
+                            full_handle = username
+                    
+                    if full_handle and full_handle.lower().startswith(prefix.lower()):
+                        usernames.add(full_handle)
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"Failed to get followers: {e}")
+            
+            # 3. Get following (people you follow)
+            try:
+                following = client.get_following(current_account_id, limit=50)
+                for account in following:
+                    # Use full fediverse handle
+                    full_handle = account.get('acct', '')
+                    if not full_handle:
+                        username = account.get('username', '')
+                        domain = account.get('url', '').split('/')[2] if account.get('url') else ''
+                        if username and domain:
+                            full_handle = f"{username}@{domain}"
+                        else:
+                            full_handle = username
+                    
+                    if full_handle and full_handle.lower().startswith(prefix.lower()):
+                        usernames.add(full_handle)
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"Failed to get following: {e}")
+            
+            # Convert to sorted list
+            filtered = sorted(list(usernames))
+            
+            # Only use real API data - no fallback to incomplete sample data
+            # The empty list will trigger a fresh API call if needed
+            
+            self.text_edit.update_mention_list(filtered)
+            
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Failed to load mention suggestions: {e}")
+            # Fallback to empty list
+            self.text_edit.update_mention_list([])
         
     def load_emoji_suggestions(self, prefix: str):
         """Load emoji suggestions based on prefix"""