@spectrumsense/spectrum-chat-dev/docs/SHOULD_I_PUBLISH.md

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# Should I Publish Manually?

A simple decision tree to help you decide.

## ❓ Start Here

### Did you just run `npm run version:bump`?

**YES** → Go to [Section A](#section-a-you-already-bumped-version)  
**NO** → Go to [Section B](#section-b-version-not-bumped-yet)

---

## Section A: You Already Bumped Version

Your `package.json` shows something like `0.1.4-dev.0`

### Question: Do you want to publish RIGHT NOW?

#### ✅ YES - I want it published immediately
```bash
# Just publish it!
npm run publish:develop

# Then reset version for future GitHub Actions
git checkout package.json
git add package.json
git commit -m "chore: reset version for CI"
git push origin develop
```

**Result**: Package is published in 30 seconds, you're done! 🎉

---

#### ❌ NO - I can wait 2-3 minutes
```bash
# Undo the version bump
git checkout package.json

# Push to trigger GitHub Actions
git push origin develop

# Wait for GitHub Actions to build and publish
```

**Result**: GitHub Actions handles everything automatically

---

## Section B: Version Not Bumped Yet

Your `package.json` shows something like `0.1.3` (no `-dev` suffix)

### Question: Do you have uncommitted changes?

#### ✅ YES - I have uncommitted changes

**Sub-question: Do you want to test this version RIGHT NOW before pushing?**

**YES** → Publish manually:
```bash
npm run version:bump
npm run publish:develop
# Test on unpkg, then commit later
```

**NO** → Use GitHub Actions:
```bash
git add .
git commit -m "feat: your changes"
git push origin develop
# GitHub Actions publishes automatically
```

---

#### ❌ NO - Everything is committed

**Question: Is this committed code already on the develop branch?**

**YES** → GitHub Actions should have already published it  
Check: https://github.com/spectrumsense/spectrum-chat/actions

**NO** → Push to develop:
```bash
git push origin develop
# GitHub Actions will publish automatically
```

---

## 🎯 Quick Decision Matrix

| Situation | Action | Method |
|-----------|--------|--------|
| Need it NOW, already bumped | `npm run publish:develop` | Manual |
| Need it NOW, not bumped | `npm run version:bump && npm run publish:develop` | Manual |
| Can wait, already bumped | `git checkout package.json && git push origin develop` | GitHub Actions |
| Can wait, not bumped | `git push origin develop` | GitHub Actions |
| Just merged PR to develop | Wait or manually trigger workflow | GitHub Actions |

---

## 🚨 Emergency: I Published the Wrong Version!

### If you published manually and it's wrong:

```bash
# Unpublish the bad version (within 72 hours)
npm unpublish @spectrumsense/spectrum-chat-dev@0.1.4-dev.0

# Fix the issue
# ... make changes ...

# Publish the corrected version
npm run version:bump
npm run publish:develop
```

**⚠️ Warning**: Unpublishing is only available for 72 hours and can cause issues for users.

### If GitHub Actions published wrong version:

1. Fix the code in a new branch
2. Create PR to develop
3. Merge PR
4. GitHub Actions publishes new version automatically

---

## 💡 Rule of Thumb

**When in doubt, use GitHub Actions:**
```bash
git push origin develop
```

It's the safest and most consistent approach.

---

## 📞 Need Help?

Check:
1. **GitHub Actions Status**: https://github.com/spectrumsense/spectrum-chat/actions
2. **Published Packages**: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@spectrumsense/spectrum-chat-dev
3. **unpkg CDN**: https://unpkg.com/@spectrumsense/spectrum-chat-dev@latest/

Still stuck? Check `WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md` for detailed explanations.