diff --git a/assets/styling/primitives.css b/assets/styling/primitives.css
index 68d65a3..bc8a6ef 100644
--- a/assets/styling/primitives.css
+++ b/assets/styling/primitives.css
@@ -122,6 +122,36 @@
     min-height: 10rem;
 }
 
+.thing-card-media-link {
+    position: relative;
+    display: block;
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 100%;
+    color: inherit;
+    text-decoration: none;
+}
+
+.thing-card-media-link::after {
+    content: "";
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    pointer-events: none;
+    background: transparent;
+    outline: 0 solid transparent;
+    outline-offset: -1px;
+}
+
+.thing-card-media-link:hover::after {
+    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary) 8%, transparent);
+    outline-width: 1px;
+    outline-color: var(--color-primary);
+}
+
+.thing-card-media-link:focus-visible {
+    outline: 2px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-primary) 35%, transparent);
+    outline-offset: -3px;
+}
+
 .thing-card-media img {
     display: block;
     width: 100%;
@@ -167,6 +197,14 @@
     font-size: 0.88rem;
 }
 
+.author-byline-handle {
+    font-family: var(--font-mono);
+}
+
+.author-byline-handle-secondary {
+    color: var(--color-muted);
+}
+
 .thing-card-chips {
     display: flex;
     flex-wrap: wrap;
@@ -274,13 +312,11 @@
 
 /* Creator links on cards and thing detail */
 
-.thing-card-creator-link,
-.thing-detail-creator-link {
+.author-byline-link {
     color: var(--color-secondary);
 }
 
-.thing-card-creator-link:hover,
-.thing-detail-creator-link:hover {
+.author-byline-link:hover {
     color: var(--color-link);
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/polymodel-api/lexicons/space_polymodel_library_defs.json b/crates/polymodel-api/lexicons/space_polymodel_library_defs.json
index f1a554b..6b4b03c 100644
--- a/crates/polymodel-api/lexicons/space_polymodel_library_defs.json
+++ b/crates/polymodel-api/lexicons/space_polymodel_library_defs.json
@@ -351,7 +351,8 @@
           "ref": "#actor"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "cover": {
           "type": "array",
@@ -411,7 +412,8 @@
           "ref": "#actor"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "file": {
           "type": "ref",
@@ -469,7 +471,8 @@
           "ref": "#actor"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "cover": {
           "type": "array",
@@ -562,7 +565,8 @@
           "ref": "#actor"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "cover": {
           "type": "array",
diff --git a/crates/polymodel-api/src/space_polymodel/library.rs b/crates/polymodel-api/src/space_polymodel/library.rs
index 0ae0207..cef6fe4 100644
--- a/crates/polymodel-api/src/space_polymodel/library.rs
+++ b/crates/polymodel-api/src/space_polymodel/library.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ use jacquard_common::deps::bytes::Bytes;
 use jacquard_common::deps::codegen::unicode_segmentation::UnicodeSegmentation;
 use jacquard_common::deps::smol_str::SmolStr;
 use jacquard_common::types::blob::BlobRef;
-use jacquard_common::types::string::{Did, Handle, AtUri, Datetime, UriValue};
+use jacquard_common::types::string::{Did, Handle, AtUri, Cid, Datetime, UriValue};
 use jacquard_common::types::value::Data;
 use jacquard_derive::IntoStatic;
 use jacquard_lexicon::lexicon::LexiconDoc;
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ pub struct ImageView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", bound(deserialize = "S: Deserialize<'de> + BosStr"))]
 pub struct ModelView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
     pub author: library::Actor<S>,
-    pub cid: S,
+    pub cid: Cid<S>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub cover: Option<Vec<library::ImageView<S>>>,
     pub indexed_at: Datetime,
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ pub struct ModelView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", bound(deserialize = "S: Deserialize<'de> + BosStr"))]
 pub struct PartView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
     pub author: library::Actor<S>,
-    pub cid: S,
+    pub cid: Cid<S>,
     pub file: library::File<S>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub format: Option<S>,
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ pub struct PartView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", bound(deserialize = "S: Deserialize<'de> + BosStr"))]
 pub struct ThingView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
     pub author: library::Actor<S>,
-    pub cid: S,
+    pub cid: Cid<S>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub cover: Option<Vec<library::ImageView<S>>>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ pub struct ThingView<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase", bound(deserialize = "S: Deserialize<'de> + BosStr"))]
 pub struct ThingViewBasic<S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
     pub author: library::Actor<S>,
-    pub cid: S,
+    pub cid: Cid<S>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub cover: Option<Vec<library::ImageView<S>>>,
     pub indexed_at: Datetime,
@@ -1665,7 +1665,10 @@ fn lexicon_doc_space_polymodel_library_defs() -> LexiconDoc<'static> {
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cid"),
-                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString { ..Default::default() }),
+                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString {
+                                format: Some(LexStringFormat::Cid),
+                                ..Default::default()
+                            }),
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cover"),
@@ -1757,7 +1760,10 @@ fn lexicon_doc_space_polymodel_library_defs() -> LexiconDoc<'static> {
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cid"),
-                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString { ..Default::default() }),
+                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString {
+                                format: Some(LexStringFormat::Cid),
+                                ..Default::default()
+                            }),
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("file"),
@@ -1844,7 +1850,10 @@ fn lexicon_doc_space_polymodel_library_defs() -> LexiconDoc<'static> {
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cid"),
-                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString { ..Default::default() }),
+                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString {
+                                format: Some(LexStringFormat::Cid),
+                                ..Default::default()
+                            }),
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cover"),
@@ -1992,7 +2001,10 @@ fn lexicon_doc_space_polymodel_library_defs() -> LexiconDoc<'static> {
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cid"),
-                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString { ..Default::default() }),
+                            LexObjectProperty::String(LexString {
+                                format: Some(LexStringFormat::Cid),
+                                ..Default::default()
+                            }),
                         );
                         map.insert(
                             SmolStr::new_static("cover"),
@@ -3986,7 +3998,7 @@ pub struct ModelViewBuilder<St: model_view_state::State, S: BosStr = DefaultStr>
     _state: PhantomData<fn() -> St>,
     _fields: (
         Option<library::Actor<S>>,
-        Option<S>,
+        Option<Cid<S>>,
         Option<Vec<library::ImageView<S>>>,
         Option<Datetime>,
         Option<S>,
@@ -4063,7 +4075,7 @@ where
     /// Set the `cid` field (required)
     pub fn cid(
         mut self,
-        value: impl Into<S>,
+        value: impl Into<Cid<S>>,
     ) -> ModelViewBuilder<model_view_state::SetCid<St>, S> {
         self._fields.1 = Option::Some(value.into());
         ModelViewBuilder {
@@ -4447,7 +4459,7 @@ pub struct PartViewBuilder<St: part_view_state::State, S: BosStr = DefaultStr> {
     _state: PhantomData<fn() -> St>,
     _fields: (
         Option<library::Actor<S>>,
-        Option<S>,
+        Option<Cid<S>>,
         Option<library::File<S>>,
         Option<S>,
         Option<Datetime>,
@@ -4523,7 +4535,7 @@ where
     /// Set the `cid` field (required)
     pub fn cid(
         mut self,
-        value: impl Into<S>,
+        value: impl Into<Cid<S>>,
     ) -> PartViewBuilder<part_view_state::SetCid<St>, S> {
         self._fields.1 = Option::Some(value.into());
         PartViewBuilder {
@@ -5002,7 +5014,7 @@ pub struct ThingViewBuilder<St: thing_view_state::State, S: BosStr = DefaultStr>
     _state: PhantomData<fn() -> St>,
     _fields: (
         Option<library::Actor<S>>,
-        Option<S>,
+        Option<Cid<S>>,
         Option<Vec<library::ImageView<S>>>,
         Option<StrongRef<S>>,
         Option<Datetime>,
@@ -5124,7 +5136,7 @@ where
     /// Set the `cid` field (required)
     pub fn cid(
         mut self,
-        value: impl Into<S>,
+        value: impl Into<Cid<S>>,
     ) -> ThingViewBuilder<thing_view_state::SetCid<St>, S> {
         self._fields.1 = Option::Some(value.into());
         ThingViewBuilder {
@@ -5704,7 +5716,7 @@ pub struct ThingViewBasicBuilder<
     _state: PhantomData<fn() -> St>,
     _fields: (
         Option<library::Actor<S>>,
-        Option<S>,
+        Option<Cid<S>>,
         Option<Vec<library::ImageView<S>>>,
         Option<Datetime>,
         Option<i64>,
@@ -5811,7 +5823,7 @@ where
     /// Set the `cid` field (required)
     pub fn cid(
         mut self,
-        value: impl Into<S>,
+        value: impl Into<Cid<S>>,
     ) -> ThingViewBasicBuilder<thing_view_basic_state::SetCid<St>, S> {
         self._fields.1 = Option::Some(value.into());
         ThingViewBasicBuilder {
diff --git a/lexicons/library/defs.json b/lexicons/library/defs.json
index ef9db53..fcb1626 100644
--- a/lexicons/library/defs.json
+++ b/lexicons/library/defs.json
@@ -210,7 +210,8 @@
           "format": "at-uri"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "author": {
           "type": "ref",
@@ -303,7 +304,8 @@
           "format": "at-uri"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "name": {
           "type": "string"
@@ -365,7 +367,8 @@
           "format": "at-uri"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "author": {
           "type": "ref",
@@ -416,7 +419,8 @@
           "format": "at-uri"
         },
         "cid": {
-          "type": "string"
+          "type": "string",
+          "format": "cid"
         },
         "author": {
           "type": "ref",
diff --git a/src/appview/views.rs b/src/appview/views.rs
index 60a2663..ce3b171 100644
--- a/src/appview/views.rs
+++ b/src/appview/views.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ use jacquard::identity::PublicResolver;
 use jacquard::identity::resolver::IdentityResolver;
 use jacquard::oauth::client::OAuthSession;
 use jacquard_common::deps::smol_str::SmolStr;
+use jacquard_common::types::cid::Cid;
 use jacquard_common::types::string::{AtUri, Datetime, Did, Handle, UriValue};
 use jacquard_common::types::{blob::BlobRef, value::Data};
 use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::actor::ProfileListView;
@@ -51,6 +52,10 @@ fn at_uri(uri: &str) -> AppResult<AtUri> {
     AtUri::new_owned(uri).map_err(|e| invalid_request(format!("invalid at-uri {uri:?}: {e}")))
 }
 
+fn cid_of(cid: &str) -> AppResult<Cid> {
+    Cid::new_owned(cid.as_bytes()).map_err(|e| internal(format!("invalid cid {cid:?}: {e}")))
+}
+
 fn did_of(did: &str) -> AppResult<Did> {
     Did::new_owned(did).map_err(|e| internal(format!("invalid did {did:?}: {e}")))
 }
@@ -423,7 +428,7 @@ async fn thing_view(
     let record = thing_record(row.record_json.as_deref())?;
     Ok(ThingView {
         uri: at_uri(&row.uri)?,
-        cid: s(row.cid),
+        cid: cid_of(&row.cid)?,
         author,
         record: record_data(row.record_json.as_deref())?,
         indexed_at: datetime_nanos(row.indexed_at),
@@ -452,7 +457,7 @@ async fn thing_basic_view(
     let record = thing_record(row.record_json.as_deref())?;
     Ok(ThingViewBasic {
         uri: at_uri(&row.uri)?,
-        cid: s(row.cid),
+        cid: cid_of(&row.cid)?,
         name: s(row.name),
         author: actor_for_did(state, &row.did).await?,
         indexed_at: datetime_nanos(row.indexed_at),
@@ -478,7 +483,7 @@ async fn model_view(
     let record = model_record(row.record_json.as_deref())?;
     Ok(ModelView {
         uri: at_uri(&row.uri)?,
-        cid: s(row.cid),
+        cid: cid_of(&row.cid)?,
         author,
         record: record_data(row.record_json.as_deref())?,
         indexed_at: datetime_nanos(row.indexed_at),
@@ -502,7 +507,7 @@ async fn part_view(
     let record = part_record(row.record_json.as_deref())?;
     Ok(PartView {
         uri: at_uri(&row.uri)?,
-        cid: s(row.cid),
+        cid: cid_of(&row.cid)?,
         author,
         record: record_data(row.record_json.as_deref())?,
         indexed_at: datetime_nanos(row.indexed_at),
diff --git a/src/author_byline.rs b/src/author_byline.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0690d48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/author_byline.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+use dioxus::prelude::*;
+use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::library;
+
+#[component]
+pub(crate) fn AuthorByline(actor: library::Actor, class: String) -> Element {
+    let href = profile_href(&actor);
+    let display_name = clean_text(actor.display_name.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref));
+    let handle = actor.handle.as_ref();
+
+    rsx! {
+        p { class,
+            a { class: "author-byline-link", href,
+                if let Some(display_name) = display_name {
+                    span { class: "author-byline-name", "{display_name}" }
+                    span { class: "author-byline-handle author-byline-handle-secondary", " @{handle}" }
+                } else {
+                    span { class: "author-byline-handle", "@{handle}" }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn profile_href(actor: &library::Actor) -> String {
+    let handle = actor.handle.as_ref();
+    if !handle.is_empty() {
+        format!("/profile/{handle}")
+    } else {
+        format!("/profile/{}", actor.did.as_ref())
+    }
+}
+
+fn clean_text(value: Option<&str>) -> Option<&str> {
+    value.map(str::trim).filter(|value| !value.is_empty())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use jacquard_common::types::string::{Did, Handle};
+
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn fixture_actor(did: &str, handle: &str) -> library::Actor {
+        library::Actor {
+            avatar: None,
+            description: None,
+            did: Did::new_owned(did).expect("fixture DID is valid"),
+            display_name: Some("Maker Name".into()),
+            follower_count: None,
+            following_count: None,
+            handle: Handle::new_owned(handle).expect("fixture handle is valid"),
+            pronouns: None,
+            thing_count: None,
+            viewer: None,
+            extra_data: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn profile_href_prefers_handle() {
+        let actor = fixture_actor("did:plc:alice", "alice.test");
+        assert_eq!(profile_href(&actor), "/profile/alice.test");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/browse.rs b/src/browse.rs
index 5b0110e..87519ca 100644
--- a/src/browse.rs
+++ b/src/browse.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::library;
 
 use crate::Route;
 use crate::examples::{HERO_SAMPLE_HANDLES, first_hero_sample_handle};
-use crate::profile::profile_href;
 use crate::session::SessionIdentity;
 use crate::thing_card::ThingCard;
 use crate::thing_detail::thing_detail_href;
@@ -211,8 +210,7 @@ pub(crate) fn Browse() -> Element {
 #[component]
 fn BrowseThingCard(thing: library::ThingViewBasic) -> Element {
     let detail_href = thing_detail_href(&thing.uri);
-    let creator_href = profile_href(&thing.author);
-    rsx! { ThingCard { thing, detail_href, creator_href } }
+    rsx! { ThingCard { thing, detail_href } }
 }
 
 #[component]
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 4a86540..f560912 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::actor::bootstrap_profile::BootstrapProfile;
 use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::actor::get_session::{GetSession, GetSessionOutput};
 
 mod about;
+mod author_byline;
 mod auth;
 mod browse;
 mod client;
diff --git a/src/profile.rs b/src/profile.rs
index b812311..e772614 100644
--- a/src/profile.rs
+++ b/src/profile.rs
@@ -175,17 +175,6 @@ fn profile_lists(
     }
 }
 
-/// Canonical profile route for an actor. Prefers the handle (always present
-/// and validated on `library::Actor`); falls back to the DID defensively.
-pub(crate) fn profile_href(actor: &library::Actor) -> Option<String> {
-    let handle = actor.handle.as_ref();
-    if !handle.is_empty() {
-        Some(format!("/profile/{handle}"))
-    } else {
-        Some(format!("/profile/{}", actor.did.as_ref()))
-    }
-}
-
 fn avatar_initial(header: &ProfileHeader) -> char {
     let name = header
         .display_name
@@ -687,8 +676,7 @@ fn ProfileThingsGrid(things: Vec<library::ThingViewBasic>) -> Element {
 #[component]
 fn ProfileThingCard(thing: library::ThingViewBasic) -> Element {
     let detail_href = thing_detail_href(&thing.uri);
-    let creator_href = profile_href(&thing.author);
-    rsx! { ThingCard { thing, detail_href, creator_href } }
+    rsx! { ThingCard { thing, detail_href } }
 }
 
 fn list_item_count_label(count: i64) -> String {
@@ -934,12 +922,6 @@ mod tests {
         }
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn profile_href_prefers_handle_then_did() {
-        let actor = fixture_actor("did:plc:alice", "alice.test");
-        assert_eq!(profile_href(&actor).as_deref(), Some("/profile/alice.test"));
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn header_extracts_polymodel_fields() {
         let header = profile_header(&ProfileViewUnion::ProfileView(Box::new(polymodel_view())));
diff --git a/src/search.rs b/src/search.rs
index 36b3a34..7007b9f 100644
--- a/src/search.rs
+++ b/src/search.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ use dioxus::prelude::*;
 use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::library;
 
 use crate::Route;
-use crate::profile::profile_href;
 use crate::thing_card::ThingCard;
 use crate::thing_detail::thing_detail_href;
 
@@ -221,8 +220,7 @@ async fn search_seed(
 #[component]
 fn SearchThingCard(thing: library::ThingViewBasic) -> Element {
     let detail_href = thing_detail_href(&thing.uri);
-    let creator_href = profile_href(&thing.author);
-    rsx! { ThingCard { thing, detail_href, creator_href } }
+    rsx! { ThingCard { thing, detail_href } }
 }
 
 fn search_pagination(
diff --git a/src/thing_card.rs b/src/thing_card.rs
index 6233270..37a699f 100644
--- a/src/thing_card.rs
+++ b/src/thing_card.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 use dioxus::prelude::*;
-use jacquard_common::types::string::Cid;
 #[cfg(test)]
 use jacquard_common::types::{
     string::{AtUri, Datetime, Did, Handle},
@@ -13,6 +12,7 @@ use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::graph::{
 };
 use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::library;
 
+use crate::author_byline::AuthorByline;
 use crate::client::PolymodelClient;
 use crate::session::SessionIdentity;
 
@@ -129,12 +129,10 @@ pub fn thing_card_fixtures() -> Vec<library::ThingViewBasic> {
 pub fn ThingCard(
     thing: library::ThingViewBasic,
     detail_href: Option<String>,
-    #[props(default)] creator_href: Option<String>,
 ) -> Element {
     let client = use_context::<PolymodelClient>();
     let session = use_context::<Signal<SessionIdentity>>();
     let title = thing_title(&thing);
-    let creator = creator_label(&thing.author);
     let media = select_card_media(thing.cover.as_deref(), thing.previews.as_deref(), title);
     let stats = stats(&thing);
     let mut like_uri = use_signal(|| thing.viewer.like.clone());
@@ -156,7 +154,7 @@ pub fn ThingCard(
     let can_write = matches!(&*session.read(), SessionIdentity::Authenticated(_));
     let subject = StrongRef {
         uri: thing.uri.clone(),
-        cid: Cid::new_owned(thing.cid.as_str().as_bytes()).expect("thing cid is server-validated"),
+        cid: thing.cid.clone(),
         extra_data: None,
     };
     let like_client = client.clone();
@@ -167,13 +165,27 @@ pub fn ThingCard(
     rsx! {
         article { class: "thing-card card-surface", aria_label: "Thing card for {title}",
             div { class: "thing-card-media card-media",
-                if let Some(media) = &media {
-                    img { src: "{media.url}", alt: "{media.alt}" }
+                if let Some(href) = &detail_href {
+                    a { class: "thing-card-media-link", href: "{href}", aria_label: "Open {title}",
+                        if let Some(media) = &media {
+                            img { src: "{media.url}", alt: "{media.alt}" }
+                        } else {
+                            div { class: "thing-card-placeholder blueprint-media", role: "img", aria_label: "Blueprint placeholder for missing preview media",
+                                span { class: "blueprint-axis blueprint-axis-x", "X" }
+                                span { class: "blueprint-axis blueprint-axis-y", "Y" }
+                                span { class: "blueprint-dimension", "preview pending" }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
                 } else {
-                    div { class: "thing-card-placeholder blueprint-media", role: "img", aria_label: "Blueprint placeholder for missing preview media",
-                        span { class: "blueprint-axis blueprint-axis-x", "X" }
-                        span { class: "blueprint-axis blueprint-axis-y", "Y" }
-                        span { class: "blueprint-dimension", "preview pending" }
+                    if let Some(media) = &media {
+                        img { src: "{media.url}", alt: "{media.alt}" }
+                    } else {
+                        div { class: "thing-card-placeholder blueprint-media", role: "img", aria_label: "Blueprint placeholder for missing preview media",
+                            span { class: "blueprint-axis blueprint-axis-x", "X" }
+                            span { class: "blueprint-axis blueprint-axis-y", "Y" }
+                            span { class: "blueprint-dimension", "preview pending" }
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -186,13 +198,7 @@ pub fn ThingCard(
                             "{title}"
                         }
                     }
-                    p { class: "thing-card-creator",
-                        if let Some(href) = &creator_href {
-                            a { class: "thing-card-creator-link", href: "{href}", "by {creator}" }
-                        } else {
-                            "by {creator}"
-                        }
-                    }
+                    AuthorByline { actor: thing.author.clone(), class: "thing-card-creator".to_string() }
                 }
                 div { class: "thing-card-details",
                     if let Some(tags) = hydrated_tags(&thing) {
@@ -310,11 +316,6 @@ fn clean_text(value: Option<&str>) -> Option<&str> {
     value.map(str::trim).filter(|value| !value.is_empty())
 }
 
-fn creator_label(actor: &library::Actor) -> &str {
-    clean_text(actor.display_name.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref))
-        .unwrap_or_else(|| actor.handle.as_ref())
-}
-
 fn hydrated_tags(thing: &library::ThingViewBasic) -> Option<&[jacquard_common::bos::DefaultStr]> {
     thing.tags.as_deref().filter(|tags| {
         tags.iter()
@@ -479,7 +480,8 @@ mod tests {
             thing_title(&view),
         )
         .unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(creator_label(&view.author), "Maker Name");
+        assert_eq!(view.author.display_name.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref), Some("Maker Name"));
+        assert_eq!(view.author.handle.as_ref(), "maker.tools");
         assert_eq!(media.url, COMPLETE_PREVIEW_SVG);
         assert_eq!(media.alt, "Cover alt");
     }
@@ -494,7 +496,8 @@ mod tests {
         });
 
         assert_eq!(thing_title(&view), "Untitled thing");
-        assert_eq!(creator_label(&view.author), "maker.tools");
+        assert_eq!(view.author.display_name, None);
+        assert_eq!(view.author.handle.as_ref(), "maker.tools");
         assert!(
             select_card_media(
                 view.cover.as_deref(),
diff --git a/src/thing_detail.rs b/src/thing_detail.rs
index 27b878b..351dffb 100644
--- a/src/thing_detail.rs
+++ b/src/thing_detail.rs
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ use polymodel_api::space_polymodel::library;
 use polymodel_renderer_protocol::MeshFormat;
 
 use crate::Route;
+use crate::author_byline::AuthorByline;
 use crate::client::PolymodelClient;
-use crate::profile::profile_href;
 use crate::session::SessionIdentity;
 use crate::viewer::{AssetViewer, ViewerFallbackImage, ViewerMeshSource, ViewerSourceFormat};
 
@@ -334,7 +334,6 @@ fn DetailPopulated(
     } else {
         "thing-detail-title"
     };
-    let creator = actor_label(&thing.author).to_string();
     let summary = clean_text(thing.summary.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref))
         .or_else(|| clean_text(thing_record.summary.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref)))
         .map(ToString::to_string);
@@ -393,13 +392,7 @@ fn DetailPopulated(
         header { class: "thing-detail-header",
             h1 { class: title_class, "{title}" }
             div { class: "thing-detail-title-row",
-                p { class: "thing-detail-creator",
-                    if let Some(href) = profile_href(&thing.author) {
-                        a { class: "thing-detail-creator-link", href: "{href}", "by {creator}" }
-                    } else {
-                        "by {creator}"
-                    }
-                }
+                AuthorByline { actor: thing.author.clone(), class: "thing-detail-creator".to_string() }
                 dl { class: "thing-detail-stats", aria_label: "Thing stats",
                     StatItem { label: "Models".to_string(), value: model_count }
                     StatItem { label: "Parts".to_string(), value: part_count }
@@ -808,11 +801,6 @@ fn usable_image_url(url: &str) -> bool {
         || url.starts_with("data:image/")
 }
 
-fn actor_label(actor: &library::Actor) -> &str {
-    clean_text(actor.display_name.as_ref().map(AsRef::as_ref))
-        .unwrap_or_else(|| actor.handle.as_ref())
-}
-
 fn clean_text(value: Option<&str>) -> Option<&str> {
     value.map(str::trim).filter(|value| !value.is_empty())
 }