> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.reap.video/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why the “Publish” Button Is Disabled for Un Exported Clips

> Understand why direct publishing is disabled until a clip is exported and how scheduled publishing works for un exported clips.

> **For AI agents:** a documentation index is at [/llms.txt](/llms.txt). Every page is also available as markdown, just append `.md` to the URL.

## Overview

Reap lets you schedule posts even before your clips are exported, but direct publishing still requires a finished export. If the **Publish** button is disabled, it usually means the clip has not been exported yet.

## Export vs. Schedule

| Action            | Purpose                                                  | When you can do it                   | Requirement                                  |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Export Clip**   | Process and render the final video file                  | Anytime after editing                | Required before direct publishing            |
| **Schedule Post** | Add the clip to the calendar for automatic posting later | Even if the clip is not exported yet | Export must finish before the scheduled time |

## How Scheduling Works For Un Exported Clips

* You can schedule an un exported clip for a future date and time.
* Reap queues the export in the background.
* Once export finishes, the clip becomes ready for publishing.
* If export does not complete before the scheduled time, the scheduled post can fail.

<Tip>
  Reap uses a built-in buffer before the scheduled publish time so un exported clips have time to finish processing in the background.
</Tip>

## Why The Publish Button Is Disabled

If the **Publish** button is greyed out:

* The clip has not been exported yet.
* Direct publishing from the project dashboard requires a finished export file.
* Export ensures the final video is fully processed before it is sent to the connected platform.

## How To Fix It

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your project dashboard">
    Go to the project where the clip is located.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export the clip">
    Click **Export Clip** and wait for the processing to start.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for export to finish">
    Let the export complete fully before trying to publish.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish the clip">
    Return to the dashboard or calendar. Once the export is ready, the **Publish** button becomes active.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What To Remember

* Scheduling can happen before export is finished.
* Direct publishing cannot happen before export is finished.
* If you want to publish immediately, export the clip first.