diff --git a/web/i18n/en/button.json b/web/i18n/en/button.json
index 39d2f733..a60de75d 100644
--- a/web/i18n/en/button.json
+++ b/web/i18n/en/button.json
@@ -11,5 +11,6 @@
     "import": "import",
     "continue": "continue",
     "star": "star",
-    "follow": "follow"
+    "follow": "follow",
+    "save": "save"
 }
diff --git a/web/i18n/en/dialog.json b/web/i18n/en/dialog.json
index 3039a4b4..43fb622c 100644
--- a/web/i18n/en/dialog.json
+++ b/web/i18n/en/dialog.json
@@ -15,5 +15,7 @@
     "import.body": "importing unknown or corrupted files may unexpectedly alter or break cobalt functionality. only import files that you've personally exported and haven't modified. if you were asked to import this file by someone - don't do it.\n\nwe are not responsible for any harm caused by importing unknown setting files.",
 
     "api.override.title": "processing instance override",
-    "api.override.body": "{{ value }} is now the processing instance. if you don't trust it, press \"cancel\" and it'll be ignored.\n\nyou can change your choice later in processing settings."
+    "api.override.body": "{{ value }} is now the processing instance. if you don't trust it, press \"cancel\" and it'll be ignored.\n\nyou can change your choice later in processing settings.",
+
+    "safety.custom_instance.body": "custom instances can potentially pose privacy & safety risks.\n\nbad instances can:\n1. redirect you away from cobalt and try to scam you.\n2. log all information about your requests, store it forever, and use it to track you.\n3. serve you malicious files (such as malware).\n4. force you to watch ads, or make you pay for downloading.\n\nafter this point, we can't protect you. please be mindful of what instances to use and always trust your gut. if anything feels off, come back to this page, reset the custom instance, and report it to us on github."
 }
diff --git a/web/i18n/en/settings.json b/web/i18n/en/settings.json
index 63d4ede3..ddae9eae 100644
--- a/web/i18n/en/settings.json
+++ b/web/i18n/en/settings.json
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
     "page.download": "downloading",
     "page.advanced": "advanced",
     "page.debug": "debug information",
-    "page.processing": "processing",
+    "page.instances": "instances",
 
     "section.general": "general",
     "section.save": "save",
@@ -112,5 +112,10 @@
 
     "processing.override": "default instance override",
     "processing.override.title": "use instance-provided processing server",
-    "processing.override.description": "cobalt will use the processing server from DEFAULT_API when this is enabled. this is a temporary description."
+    "processing.override.description": "if web instance provides its own default processing server, you can choose to use it over the main processing server. make sure it's a server by someone you trust.",
+
+    "processing.community": "community instances",
+
+    "processing.enable_custom.title": "use a custom processing server",
+    "processing.enable_custom.description": "cobalt will use a custom processing server if you choose to. even though cobalt has some security measures in place, we are not responsible for any damage done via a community instance, as we have no control over them.\n\nplease be mindful of what instances you use and make sure they're hosted by people you trust."
 }
diff --git a/web/src/components/buttons/SettingsToggle.svelte b/web/src/components/buttons/SettingsToggle.svelte
index 1e37aa3e..75a564e5 100644
--- a/web/src/components/buttons/SettingsToggle.svelte
+++ b/web/src/components/buttons/SettingsToggle.svelte
@@ -10,28 +10,37 @@
 
     import Toggle from "$components/misc/Toggle.svelte";
 
-    export let settingContext: Context;
     export let settingId: Id;
+    export let settingContext: Context;
 
     export let title: string;
     export let description: string = "";
 
+    export let disabled = false;
+    export let disabledOpacity = false;
+
     $: setting = $settings[settingContext][settingId];
     $: isEnabled = !!setting;
 </script>
 
-<div id="setting-toggle-{settingContext}-{String(settingId)}" class="toggle-parent">
+<div
+    id="setting-toggle-{settingContext}-{String(settingId)}"
+    class="toggle-parent"
+    class:disabled
+    class:faded={disabledOpacity}
+    aria-hidden={disabled}
+>
     <button
         class="toggle-container"
         role="switch"
         aria-checked={isEnabled}
+        disabled={disabled}
         on:click={() =>
             updateSetting({
                 [settingContext]: {
                     [settingId]: !isEnabled,
                 },
-            })
-        }
+            })}
     >
         <h4 class="toggle-title">{title}</h4>
         <Toggle enabled={isEnabled} />
@@ -51,6 +60,15 @@
         flex-direction: column;
         gap: 8px;
         overflow: hidden;
+        transition: opacity 0.2s;
+    }
+
+    .toggle-parent.disabled {
+        pointer-events: none;
+    }
+
+    .toggle-parent.faded {
+        opacity: 0.5;
     }
 
     .toggle-container {
diff --git a/web/src/components/dialog/SmallDialog.svelte b/web/src/components/dialog/SmallDialog.svelte
index ffdc2e93..f76c91e1 100644
--- a/web/src/components/dialog/SmallDialog.svelte
+++ b/web/src/components/dialog/SmallDialog.svelte
@@ -18,12 +18,17 @@
     export let bodySubText = "";
     export let buttons: Optional<DialogButton[]> = undefined;
     export let dismissable = true;
+    export let leftAligned = false;
 
     let close: () => void;
 </script>
 
 <DialogContainer {id} {dismissable} bind:close>
-    <div class="dialog-body small-dialog" class:meowbalt-visible={meowbalt}>
+    <div
+        class="dialog-body small-dialog"
+        class:meowbalt-visible={meowbalt}
+        class:align-left={leftAligned}
+    >
         {#if meowbalt}
             <div class="meowbalt-container">
                 <Meowbalt emotion={meowbalt} />
@@ -46,7 +51,7 @@
                 <div class="body-text" tabindex="-1">{bodyText}</div>
             {/if}
             {#if bodySubText}
-                <div class="subtext">{bodySubText}</div>
+                <div class="subtext popup-subtext">{bodySubText}</div>
             {/if}
         </div>
         {#if buttons}
@@ -72,7 +77,7 @@
         text-align: center;
         max-width: 340px;
         width: calc(100% - var(--padding) - var(--dialog-padding) * 2);
-        max-height: 50%;
+        max-height: 85%;
         margin: calc(var(--padding) / 2);
     }
 
@@ -98,10 +103,13 @@
         align-items: center;
     }
 
-    .popup-icon.warn-red :global(svg) {
+    .popup-icon :global(svg) {
         stroke-width: 1.5px;
         height: 50px;
         width: 50px;
+    }
+
+    .warn-red :global(svg) {
         stroke: var(--red);
     }
 
@@ -119,4 +127,24 @@
     .popup-title:focus-visible {
         box-shadow: none !important;
     }
+
+    .popup-subtext {
+        opacity: 0.7;
+        padding: 0;
+    }
+
+    .align-left .body-text {
+        text-align: left;
+    }
+
+    .align-left .popup-header {
+        align-items: start;
+        gap: 2px;
+    }
+
+    .align-left .popup-icon :global(svg) {
+        height: 40px;
+        width: 40px;
+        stroke-width: 1.8px;
+    }
 </style>
diff --git a/web/src/components/settings/CustomInstanceInput.svelte b/web/src/components/settings/CustomInstanceInput.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7bec607
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/src/components/settings/CustomInstanceInput.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+    import { get } from "svelte/store";
+    import { t } from "$lib/i18n/translations";
+
+    import settings, { updateSetting } from "$lib/state/settings";
+    import { customInstanceWarning } from "$lib/api/safety-warning";
+
+    let inputValue = get(settings).processing.customInstanceURL;
+
+    let url: string;
+    let validUrl: boolean;
+
+    const checkUrl = () => {
+        try {
+            let test = /^https:/i.test(new URL(inputValue).protocol);
+            if (test) url = new URL(inputValue).origin.toString();
+            validUrl = true;
+        } catch {
+            validUrl = false;
+        }
+    };
+
+    const writeInput = () => {
+        let url;
+        try {
+            url = new URL(inputValue).origin.toString();
+        } catch {
+            return (validUrl = false);
+        }
+        updateSetting({
+            processing: {
+                customInstanceURL: url,
+            },
+        });
+        inputValue = get(settings).processing.customInstanceURL;
+    };
+</script>
+
+<input
+    id="link-area"
+    bind:value={inputValue}
+    on:input={() => {
+        checkUrl();
+    }}
+    spellcheck="false"
+    autocomplete="off"
+    autocapitalize="off"
+    maxlength="128"
+    placeholder="instance url"
+/>
+
+<button
+    id="instance-save"
+    disabled={inputValue == $settings.processing.customInstanceURL || !validUrl}
+    on:click={async () => {
+        await customInstanceWarning();
+        if ($settings.processing.seenCustomWarning) {
+            if (inputValue) writeInput();
+        }
+    }}
+>
+    {$t("button.save")}
+</button>
+
+{#if $settings.processing.customInstanceURL.length > 0}
+    <button
+        id="instance-reset"
+        on:click={() => {
+            updateSetting({
+                processing: {
+                    customInstanceURL: "",
+                },
+            });
+            inputValue = get(settings).processing.customInstanceURL;
+        }}
+    >
+        {$t("button.reset")}
+    </button>
+{/if}
+
+<style>
+    #instance-save[disabled] {
+        opacity: 0.5;
+        pointer-events: none;
+    }
+</style>
diff --git a/web/src/components/settings/SettingsCategory.svelte b/web/src/components/settings/SettingsCategory.svelte
index df7dcb31..95a769ac 100644
--- a/web/src/components/settings/SettingsCategory.svelte
+++ b/web/src/components/settings/SettingsCategory.svelte
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 <script lang="ts">
     import { page } from "$app/stores";
 
-    export let sectionId: string;
     export let title: string;
+    export let sectionId: string;
+
+    export let disabled = false;
 
     let animate = false;
 
@@ -17,6 +19,8 @@
     id={sectionId}
     class="settings-content"
     class:animate
+    class:disabled
+    aria-hidden={disabled}
 >
     <h3 class="settings-content-title">{title}</h3>
     <slot></slot>
@@ -29,6 +33,11 @@
         gap: var(--padding);
         padding: calc(var(--settings-padding) / 2);
         border-radius: 18px;
+        transition: opacity 0.2s;
+    }
+
+    .settings-content.disabled {
+        opacity: 0.5;
     }
 
     .settings-content.animate {
diff --git a/web/src/lib/api/api-url.ts b/web/src/lib/api/api-url.ts
index fe8803b6..d23af3ec 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/api/api-url.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/api/api-url.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,16 @@ import env, { apiURL } from "$lib/env";
 import settings from "$lib/state/settings";
 
 export const currentApiURL = () => {
-    if (env.DEFAULT_API && get(settings).processing.allowDefaultOverride) {
+    const processingSettings = get(settings).processing;
+    const customInstanceURL = processingSettings.customInstanceURL;
+
+    if (processingSettings.enableCustomInstances && customInstanceURL.length > 0) {
+        return new URL(customInstanceURL).origin;
+    }
+
+    if (env.DEFAULT_API && processingSettings.allowDefaultOverride) {
         return new URL(env.DEFAULT_API).origin;
     }
+
     return new URL(apiURL).origin;
 }
diff --git a/web/src/lib/api/api.ts b/web/src/lib/api/api.ts
index 8243c61f..15c1cd60 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/api/api.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/api/api.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { get } from "svelte/store";
 import settings from "$lib/state/settings";
 import { getSession } from "$lib/api/session";
 import { currentApiURL } from "$lib/api/api-url";
-import { apiOverrideWarning } from "$lib/api/override-warning";
+import { apiOverrideWarning } from "$lib/api/safety-warning";
 
 import type { Optional } from "$lib/types/generic";
 import type { CobaltAPIResponse, CobaltErrorResponse } from "$lib/types/api";
diff --git a/web/src/lib/api/override-warning.ts b/web/src/lib/api/safety-warning.ts
similarity index 57%
rename from web/src/lib/api/override-warning.ts
rename to web/src/lib/api/safety-warning.ts
index 71b6f73f..5bb2b751 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/api/override-warning.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/api/safety-warning.ts
@@ -60,3 +60,52 @@ export const apiOverrideWarning = async () => {
         await promise;
     }
 }
+
+export const customInstanceWarning = async () => {
+    if (env.DEFAULT_API && !get(settings).processing.seenCustomWarning) {
+        let _actions: {
+            resolve: () => void;
+            reject: () => void;
+        };
+
+        const promise = new Promise<void>(
+            (resolve, reject) => (_actions = { resolve, reject })
+        ).catch(() => {
+            return {}
+        });
+
+        createDialog({
+            id: "security-api-custom",
+            type: "small",
+            icon: "warn-red",
+            title: get(t)("dialog.safety.title"),
+            bodyText: get(t)("dialog.safety.custom_instance.body"),
+            leftAligned: true,
+            buttons: [
+                {
+                    text: get(t)("button.cancel"),
+                    main: false,
+                    action: () => {
+                        _actions.reject();
+                    },
+                },
+                {
+                    text: get(t)("button.continue"),
+                    color: "red",
+                    main: true,
+                    timeout: 15000,
+                    action: () => {
+                        _actions.resolve();
+                        updateSetting({
+                            processing: {
+                                seenCustomWarning: true,
+                            },
+                        })
+                    },
+                },
+            ],
+        })
+
+        await promise;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/web/src/lib/settings/defaults.ts b/web/src/lib/settings/defaults.ts
index 6e61b4ec..b2c17a75 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/settings/defaults.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/settings/defaults.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,10 @@ const defaultSettings: CobaltSettings = {
     },
     processing: {
         allowDefaultOverride: false,
+        customInstanceURL: "",
+        enableCustomInstances: false,
         seenOverrideWarning: false,
+        seenCustomWarning: false,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/web/src/lib/types/dialog.ts b/web/src/lib/types/dialog.ts
index 69c9ae32..e6791899 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/types/dialog.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/types/dialog.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ type SmallDialog = Dialog & {
     bodyText?: string,
     bodySubText?: string,
     buttons?: DialogButton[],
+    leftAligned?: boolean,
 };
 
 type PickerDialog = Dialog & {
diff --git a/web/src/lib/types/settings.ts b/web/src/lib/types/settings.ts
index 4e8d0fb8..de855259 100644
--- a/web/src/lib/types/settings.ts
+++ b/web/src/lib/types/settings.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ type CobaltSettingsPrivacy = {
 
 type CobaltSettingsProcessing = {
     allowDefaultOverride: boolean,
+    customInstanceURL: string,
+    enableCustomInstances: boolean,
+    seenCustomWarning: boolean,
     seenOverrideWarning: boolean,
 }
 
diff --git a/web/src/routes/settings/+layout.svelte b/web/src/routes/settings/+layout.svelte
index 32ec1af0..41f4fd98 100644
--- a/web/src/routes/settings/+layout.svelte
+++ b/web/src/routes/settings/+layout.svelte
@@ -10,14 +10,15 @@
     import SettingsNavSection from "$components/settings/SettingsNavSection.svelte";
 
     import IconSunHigh from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconSunHigh.svelte";
+    import IconLock from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconLock.svelte";
 
     import IconMovie from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconMovie.svelte";
     import IconMusic from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconMusic.svelte";
     import IconFileDownload from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconFileDownload.svelte";
-    import IconSettingsBolt from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconSettingsBolt.svelte";
+
     import IconBug from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconBug.svelte";
-    import IconLock from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconLock.svelte";
-    import IconCloudNetwork from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconCloudNetwork.svelte";
+    import IconWorld from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconWorld.svelte";
+    import IconSettingsBolt from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconSettingsBolt.svelte";
 
     import IconArrowLeft from "@tabler/icons-svelte/IconArrowLeft.svelte";
 
@@ -131,11 +132,11 @@
 
             <SettingsNavSection>
                 <SettingsNavTab
-                    tabName="processing"
-                    tabLink="processing"
+                    tabName="instances"
+                    tabLink="instances"
                     iconColor="gray"
                 >
-                    <IconCloudNetwork />
+                    <IconWorld />
                 </SettingsNavTab>
                 <SettingsNavTab
                     tabName="advanced"
diff --git a/web/src/routes/settings/instances/+page.svelte b/web/src/routes/settings/instances/+page.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..059c5e30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/src/routes/settings/instances/+page.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+    import env from "$lib/env";
+    import settings from "$lib/state/settings";
+
+    import { t } from "$lib/i18n/translations";
+
+    import SettingsToggle from "$components/buttons/SettingsToggle.svelte";
+    import SettingsCategory from "$components/settings/SettingsCategory.svelte";
+    import CustomInstanceInput from "$components/settings/CustomInstanceInput.svelte";
+
+    $: overrideDisabled = $settings.processing.enableCustomInstances;
+</script>
+
+{#if env.DEFAULT_API}
+    <SettingsCategory
+        sectionId="override"
+        title={$t("settings.processing.override")}
+        disabled={overrideDisabled}
+    >
+        <SettingsToggle
+            settingContext="processing"
+            settingId="allowDefaultOverride"
+            title={$t("settings.processing.override.title")}
+            description={$t("settings.processing.override.description")}
+            disabled={overrideDisabled}
+        />
+    </SettingsCategory>
+{/if}
+
+<SettingsCategory
+    sectionId="community"
+    title={$t("settings.processing.community")}
+>
+    <SettingsToggle
+        settingContext="processing"
+        settingId="enableCustomInstances"
+        title={$t("settings.processing.enable_custom.title")}
+        description={$t("settings.processing.enable_custom.description")}
+    />
+    {#if $settings.processing.enableCustomInstances}
+        <CustomInstanceInput />
+    {/if}
+</SettingsCategory>
diff --git a/web/src/routes/settings/processing/+page.svelte b/web/src/routes/settings/processing/+page.svelte
deleted file mode 100644
index cc0550c0..00000000
--- a/web/src/routes/settings/processing/+page.svelte
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-<script lang="ts">
-    import env from "$lib/env";
-    import { t } from "$lib/i18n/translations";
-
-    import SettingsToggle from "$components/buttons/SettingsToggle.svelte";
-    import SettingsCategory from "$components/settings/SettingsCategory.svelte";
-</script>
-
-{#if env.DEFAULT_API}
-    <SettingsCategory sectionId="override" title={$t("settings.processing.override")}>
-        <SettingsToggle
-            settingContext="processing"
-            settingId="allowDefaultOverride"
-            title={$t("settings.processing.override.title")}
-            description={$t("settings.processing.override.description")}
-        />
-    </SettingsCategory>
-{/if}