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✅ Pre-Publish Checklist

The pre-publish checklist is a short list of checks to run before a story or thread goes live. This page will guide you through each check, grouped by story, thread and site, so a few minutes of checking saves a second site update later.

The story​

  • It is in a topic: a story must belong to a topic before it can be published. Look for a "Needs a topic" badge. See Drafts and publishing.
  • The title is clear: short and specific, and it reads well on a choice card.
  • The hook sells it: one line that makes someone want to read on.
  • The covers date is right, if the story reports on a particular day.
  • Links work: bookmark cards show a preview, not "Fetching preview…".
  • The text is proofread: names, numbers and Australian spelling.

Images​

  • Every image has alt text: the featured image's "Alt text" field, and the "Alt text" field under each image in the body. See Images.
  • Credit is in place for free images, such as "Photo: Name · Unsplash".
  • The card preview looks right: check "Card preview" in the settings panel.

Byline and labels​

  • The byline is right: "Writing as" names the right writer, or "No byline".
  • AI-written stories use an AI persona, so readers see the "AI-generated" label. See Voice and AI personas.
  • Tags apply: switch on the tags that fit, and no more.

The thread​

  • Choices make sense: at most three, the main path first, and each hook says what the reader gets. See Threads and choices.
  • Nothing is "Not connected yet" in "Story structure". See Maps and story structure.
  • Endings are deliberate: count them, since each published ending is a gem.
  • Planned stories have teasers: they show as "Coming soon" cards in a published topic.
  • The topic type is right: "Thread" or "Dated series".

The site update​

  • Publish in one go, then let the wait pass, so readers get one update. See Rebuilds.
  • Watch "Next site update" on the Dashboard until it says "Up to date".
  • Open the live page and follow a path to an ending.
tip

Use "Rebuild now" only for urgent fixes. For a normal publish, the wait gathers your changes into one update.