diff --git a/capabilities.py b/capabilities.py
index c843d286..5ef55816 100644
--- a/capabilities.py
+++ b/capabilities.py
@@ -9,25 +9,29 @@ __status__ = "Production"
 import os
 from auth import createPassword
 
-def sendCapabilitiesRequest(baseDir: str,httpPrefix: str,domain: str,requestedActor: str,inbox="write",objects="read") -> None:
+def sendCapabilitiesRequest(baseDir: str,httpPrefix: str,domain: str, \
+                            requestedActor: str, \
+                            requestedCaps=["inbox:write","objects:read"]) -> None:
     # This is sent to the capabilities endpoint /caps/new
     # which could be instance wide or for a particular person
     capId=createPassword(32)
     capRequest = {
         "id": httpPrefix+"://"+requestedDomain+"/caps/request/"+capId,
         "type": "Request",
-        "capability": ["inbox:write","objects:read"],
+        "capability": requestedCaps,
         "actor": requestedActor
     }
     #TODO
 
-def sendCapabilitiesAccept(baseDir: str,httpPrefix: str,nickname: str,domain: str,acceptedActor: str,inbox="write",objects="read") -> None:
+def sendCapabilitiesAccept(baseDir: str,httpPrefix: str,nickname: str,domain: str, \
+                           acceptedActor: str, \
+                           acceptedCaps=["inbox:write","objects:read"]) -> None:
     # This gets returned to capabilities requester
     capId=createPassword(32)
     capAccept = {
         "id": httpPrefix+"://"+domain+"/caps/"+capId,
         "type": "Capability",
-        "capability": ["inbox:write","objects:read"],
+        "capability": acceptedCaps,
         "scope": acceptedActor,
         "actor": httpPrefix+"://"+domain
     }