# Write and publish your first article

_Category: Getting started_

Here's the quickest way from a blank page to a live help article: write it, save it as a draft, then publish it.

**Who can do this:** Owners, Admins and Editors · **Plans:** All plans

## Write your article

1. Sign in to HelpCenter.io and click **Articles** in the left menu. You can also go straight to [helpcenter.io/app/articles](https://helpcenter.io/app/articles).
2. Click **New article**.
3. Type a title your customers would search for, such as "How do I reset my password?"
4. Click below the title and start writing. To add headings, lists, images and more, type `/` on an empty line.
5. Click the category under the title and pick where the article belongs. If you had a category selected on the Articles page, it's already filled in.
6. Click **Save draft**.

![Screen recording. Click New article. Give it a title your customers would search for. Click below the title and start writing. Pick a category. Click Save draft. Readers see it only after you publish.](https://helpcenter-io.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/self/p45INfGjSoDH7tKgwB98q9332nHxiOzioKyuhUt7.gif)
Until you click Save draft, a new article is kept only in your browser.

Your draft is now saved in your library, where your team can find it. Readers can't see it yet.

## Publish it

1. When the article is ready, click **Publish**.

![Screen recording. Your draft is saved but only your team can see it. When it is ready, click Publish. It is live. Readers can find it in your help center.](https://helpcenter-io.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/self/ewCnxTtyJjHJSfoKq5s7Lesqer0Kxw03cCClEVVh.gif)
Once published, the article shows up in its category and in search.

**Is your help center still private?** New help centers start private, so only your team can read your articles for now. When you're ready for customers, [make your help center public](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/make-your-help-center-public).

## Tips for a great first article

- **One task per article.** "Change your password" and "Delete your account" are two articles, not one.
- **Steps as a numbered list.** Give each step one action, and name buttons exactly as they appear on screen.
- **Show it.** Add a screenshot or GIF where a step is hard to picture: type `/` and choose **Image**.
- **Preview before you publish.** Click the eye icon at the top of the editor to see the article the way readers will.
- **Keep going.** Use the **New** menu at the top of the editor to start your next article without going back to the list.

For more on writing articles people finish reading, see [How to write help articles people actually read](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/how-to-write-help-articles).

## Troubleshooting

**"Title is required. Please add a title before saving the article."** Add a title, then click **Save draft** again.

**Readers can't see the article.** Check that it's published, that your help center is public, and that its category isn't private. See [Someone can't see an article or the help center](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/cant-see-an-article).

## Related articles

- [Get to know the article editor](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/article-editor)
- [Add headings, lists and other blocks](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/add-blocks)
- [Publish an article](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/publish-an-article)
- [How to write help articles people actually read](https://self.helpcenter.io/content/how-to-write-help-articles)