1. Is a CMS connected for this brand?
If the calendar shows Connect a CMS, drafts keep being written but can't go live. Connect your CMS in Settings → Integrations. For GitHub, make sure a repository is chosen.
2. Is autopilot on?
Autopilot controls publishing. When it's off, drafts wait for your approval. Check the autopilot panel on the Calendar, including the setting for each article type (Off, Drafted or Autopilot), and your publishing days and time.
3. Is there a default author?
Blog generation pauses for a brand until a default author exists. Add a real person's name and job title.
4. Check the card's status
Queued: not written yet. Drafting starts about two days before the publish date.
Drafting: being written. This usually takes minutes.
Draft: waiting for approval (autopilot off) or its scheduled day.
Scheduled: will publish at the time shown.
If a step failed, retry it from the ⋮ menu on the card.
5. Platform-specific issues
WordPress: a security plugin or firewall may be blocking requests; allow Citera and reconnect. If asked, create a fresh Application Password. The connected user needs the Editor role.
Framer: choose the CMS collection for blog posts, and remember Framer serves the previous build until you publish the site.
Shopify: choose a Shopify blog to publish to.
GitHub: posts arrive as pull requests; merge them to go live.
Body text in page builders or custom fields: Citera can't write there automatically and shows the text to paste in manually.
Repeated errors: Citera may pause requests to a site temporarily. Wait a few minutes and retry.
6. Published but can't find it?
Click the card on the calendar. Published cards link straight to the live post. For some CMSs, the exact section is decided by your CMS and appears after the first post publishes.
Still stuck? Message us via chat with the brand, the CMS and the post title.