diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
index e2de58e..97f47de 100644
--- a/main.c
+++ b/main.c
@@ -16,20 +16,21 @@ int usage(void)
     printf("\n");
     printf("Commands:\n");
     printf("\n");
-    printf("init [{basedir}]                 Initializes the data storage\n");
-    printf("upgrade {basedir}                Upgrade to a new version\n");
-    printf("adduser {basedir} [{uid}]        Adds a new user\n");
-    printf("httpd {basedir}                  Starts the HTTPD daemon\n");
-    printf("purge {basedir}                  Purges old data\n");
-    printf("webfinger {basedir} {user}       Queries about a @user@host or actor\n");
-    printf("queue {basedir} {uid}            Processes a user queue\n");
-    printf("follow {basedir} {uid} {actor}   Follows an actor\n");
-    printf("unfollow {basedir} {uid} {actor} Unfollows an actor\n");
-    printf("request {basedir} {uid} {url}    Requests an object\n");
-    printf("actor {basedir} {uid} {url}      Requests an actor\n");
-    printf("note {basedir} {uid} {'text'}    Sends a note to followers\n");
-    printf("resetpwd {basedir} {uid}         Resets the password of a user\n");
-    printf("ping {basedir} {uid} {actor}     Pings an actor\n");
+    printf("init [{basedir}]                    Initializes the data storage\n");
+    printf("upgrade {basedir}                   Upgrade to a new version\n");
+    printf("adduser {basedir} [{uid}]           Adds a new user\n");
+    printf("httpd {basedir}                     Starts the HTTPD daemon\n");
+    printf("purge {basedir}                     Purges old data\n");
+    printf("webfinger {basedir} {actor}         Queries about an actor (@user@host or actor url)\n");
+    printf("queue {basedir} {uid}               Processes a user queue\n");
+    printf("follow {basedir} {uid} {actor}      Follows an actor\n");
+    printf("unfollow {basedir} {uid} {actor}    Unfollows an actor\n");
+    printf("request {basedir} {uid} {url}       Requests an object\n");
+    printf("actor {basedir} {uid} {url}         Requests an actor\n");
+    printf("note {basedir} {uid} {'text'}       Sends a note to followers\n");
+    printf("resetpwd {basedir} {uid}            Resets the password of a user\n");
+    printf("ping {basedir} {uid} {actor}        Pings an actor\n");
+    printf("webfinger_s {basedir} {uid} {actor} Queries about an actor (@user@host or actor url)\n");
 /*    printf("question {basedir} {uid} 'opts'  Generates a poll (;-separated opts)\n");*/
 
     return 1;
@@ -179,6 +180,22 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     if ((url = GET_ARGV()) == NULL)
         return usage();
 
+    if (strcmp(cmd, "webfinger_s") == 0) { /** **/
+        xs *actor = NULL;
+        xs *uid = NULL;
+        int status;
+
+        status = webfinger_request_signed(&snac, url, &actor, &uid);
+
+        printf("status: %d\n", status);
+        if (actor != NULL)
+            printf("actor: %s\n", actor);
+        if (uid != NULL)
+            printf("uid: %s\n", uid);
+
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     if (strcmp(cmd, "announce") == 0) { /** **/
         xs *msg = msg_admiration(&snac, url, "Announce");
 
@@ -352,5 +369,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         return 0;
     }
 
-    return 0;
+    fprintf(stderr, "ERROR: bad command '%s'\n", cmd);
+
+    return 1;
 }
diff --git a/snac.h b/snac.h
index adbd6c9..094179c 100644
--- a/snac.h
+++ b/snac.h
@@ -191,6 +191,7 @@ int check_signature(snac *snac, xs_dict *req, xs_str **err);
 
 void httpd(void);
 
+int webfinger_request_signed(snac *snac, const char *qs, char **actor, char **user);
 int webfinger_request(const char *qs, char **actor, char **user);
 int webfinger_get_handler(xs_dict *req, char *q_path,
                           char **body, int *b_size, char **ctype);
diff --git a/webfinger.c b/webfinger.c
index ca4ed71..a167cd0 100644
--- a/webfinger.c
+++ b/webfinger.c
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 #include "snac.h"
 
-int webfinger_request(const char *qs, char **actor, char **user)
+int webfinger_request_signed(snac *snac, const char *qs, char **actor, char **user)
 /* queries the webfinger for qs and fills the required fields */
 {
     int status;
@@ -61,7 +61,10 @@ int webfinger_request(const char *qs, char **actor, char **user)
     else {
         xs *url = xs_fmt("https:/" "/%s/.well-known/webfinger?resource=%s", host, resource);
 
-        xs_http_request("GET", url, headers, NULL, 0, &status, &payload, &p_size, 0);
+        if (snac == NULL)
+            xs_http_request("GET", url, headers, NULL, 0, &status, &payload, &p_size, 0);
+        else
+            http_signed_request(snac, "GET", url, headers, NULL, 0, &status, &payload, &p_size, 0);
     }
 
     if (valid_status(status)) {
@@ -96,6 +99,13 @@ int webfinger_request(const char *qs, char **actor, char **user)
 }
 
 
+int webfinger_request(const char *qs, char **actor, char **user)
+/* queries the webfinger for qs and fills the required fields */
+{
+    return webfinger_request_signed(NULL, qs, actor, user);
+}
+
+
 int webfinger_get_handler(d_char *req, char *q_path,
                            char **body, int *b_size, char **ctype)
 /* serves webfinger queries */