diff --git a/lib/resolve-author.js b/lib/resolve-author.js
index 9d45d4c..4d5dc24 100644
--- a/lib/resolve-author.js
+++ b/lib/resolve-author.js
@@ -51,6 +51,47 @@ export function extractAuthorUrl(postUrl) {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Wraps a Fedify document loader to allow private/loopback addresses for
+ * requests targeting the publication's own hostname.
+ *
+ * Fedify blocks requests to private IP ranges by default. When the publication
+ * is self-hosted (e.g. localhost or a private IP), author lookups for posts on
+ * that same host fail with a private-address error. This wrapper opts in to
+ * allowPrivateAddress only when the target URL is on the publication's own host.
+ *
+ * @param {Function} documentLoader - Fedify authenticated document loader
+ * @param {string} publicationUrl - The publication's canonical URL (e.g. ctx.url.href)
+ * @returns {Function} Wrapped document loader
+ */
+function createPublicationAwareDocumentLoader(documentLoader, publicationUrl) {
+  if (typeof documentLoader !== "function") {
+    return documentLoader;
+  }
+
+  let publicationHost = "";
+  try {
+    publicationHost = new URL(publicationUrl).hostname;
+  } catch {
+    return documentLoader;
+  }
+
+  return (url, options = {}) => {
+    try {
+      const parsed = new URL(
+        typeof url === "string" ? url : (url?.href || String(url)),
+      );
+      if (parsed.hostname === publicationHost) {
+        return documentLoader(url, { ...options, allowPrivateAddress: true });
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // Fall through to default loader behavior.
+    }
+
+    return documentLoader(url, options);
+  };
+}
+
 /**
  * Resolve the author Actor for a given post URL.
  *
@@ -66,13 +107,20 @@ export async function resolveAuthor(
   documentLoader,
   collections,
 ) {
+  const publicationLoader = createPublicationAwareDocumentLoader(
+    documentLoader,
+    ctx?.url?.href || "",
+  );
+
   // Strategy 1: Look up remote post via Fedify (signed request)
   try {
     const remoteObject = await ctx.lookupObject(new URL(postUrl), {
-      documentLoader,
+      documentLoader: publicationLoader,
     });
     if (remoteObject && typeof remoteObject.getAttributedTo === "function") {
-      const author = await remoteObject.getAttributedTo({ documentLoader });
+      const author = await remoteObject.getAttributedTo({
+        documentLoader: publicationLoader,
+      });
       const recipient = Array.isArray(author) ? author[0] : author;
       if (recipient) {
         console.info(
@@ -113,7 +161,7 @@ export async function resolveAuthor(
     if (authorUrl) {
       try {
         const actor = await ctx.lookupObject(new URL(authorUrl), {
-          documentLoader,
+          documentLoader: publicationLoader,
         });
         if (actor) {
           console.info(
@@ -135,7 +183,7 @@ export async function resolveAuthor(
   if (extractedUrl) {
     try {
       const actor = await ctx.lookupObject(new URL(extractedUrl), {
-        documentLoader,
+        documentLoader: publicationLoader,
       });
       if (actor) {
         console.info(
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 51ddbe1..9308048 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@rmdes/indiekit-endpoint-activitypub",
-  "version": "2.8.2",
+  "version": "2.9.2",
   "description": "ActivityPub federation endpoint for Indiekit via Fedify. Adds full fediverse support: actor, inbox, outbox, followers, following, syndication, and Mastodon migration.",
   "keywords": [
     "indiekit",
diff --git a/views/layouts/ap-reader.njk b/views/layouts/ap-reader.njk
index 37d1e48..7c482cf 100644
--- a/views/layouts/ap-reader.njk
+++ b/views/layouts/ap-reader.njk
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@
   {# Avatar fallback — remove broken images to reveal initials fallback underneath #}
   <script>document.addEventListener("error",function(e){var t=e.target;if(t.tagName==="IMG"&&t.closest("[data-avatar-fallback]"))t.remove()},true)</script>
 
-  {# Alpine.js loaded by default.njk — AP scripts register via alpine:init before it initializes #}
+  {# Alpine.js — must load after component scripts so alpine:init listeners are registered first #}
+  <script defer src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/alpinejs@3/dist/cdn.min.js"></script>
 
   {# Reader stylesheet — loaded in body is fine for modern browsers #}
   <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/@rmdes-indiekit-endpoint-activitypub/reader.css">