> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podigee.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podigee.com/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/transfer-media-encode-and-publish/publish-an-episode-that-already-has-media.md).

# Publish an episode that already has media

Publish, schedule, or keep as draft an existing episode with playable media.

Use `publish_episode` without a new media object when the existing episode already has playable media.

## Before you start

* Read the episode and confirm `has_media: true`.
* Confirm the podcast ID and episode ID.
* Choose draft, now, or a future scheduled time.
* Prepare one stable idempotency key.

## Publish the episode

1. Preview `publish_episode` with the podcast ID, episode ID, and publication object.
2. Omit `media` when you intend to keep the attached media.
3. Review the exact episode, metadata changes, and publication mode.
4. Confirm the preview with the same idempotency key.
5. Keep the returned operation ID.
6. Monitor the operation to a terminal state.
7. Read the episode and verify its publication state.

## Expected result

Podigee applies the reviewed publication mode to the existing episode and media.

## If the episode has no media

Keep it as a draft. Upload media and either create a production or use the end-to-end publish workflow.

## Next step

[Verify that a change had the intended effect](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/make-changes-safely/verify-that-a-change-had-the-intended-effect.md).


---

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