# Podcast Maker Workflow Guide

This guide walks through the complete Podcast Maker lifecycle from project creation to final render delivery.

## 1) Create a New Episode Project

!!! note "Annotated view: Create modal"
    **Alt text:** Create modal showing fields for podcast title, target audience, tone, and language selection.

**What to validate before continuing**
- Working title and episode angle are clear.
- Persona is selected (Host, Analyst, Interviewer, etc.).
- Output profile (audio-only vs video podcast) matches channel needs.

## 2) Review the Analysis Panel

!!! note "Annotated view: Analysis panel"
    **Alt text:** Analysis panel with audience-fit score, speaking pace metrics, and citation confidence indicators.

Use this panel to align creative intent with production constraints:
- Audience fit and intent match
- Style and voice consistency
- Citation confidence and source quality

## 3) Select Research Queries

!!! note "Annotated view: Research query selection"
    **Alt text:** Research query selection interface with approved query chips and source locking controls.

Recommended sequence:
1. Approve high-signal queries.
2. Exclude broad/ambiguous prompts.
3. Lock trusted domains before script generation.

## 4) Edit and Approve the Script

!!! note "Annotated view: Script editor"
    **Alt text:** Script editor with host dialogue blocks, scene transitions, and approval status in sidebar.

In editor review, confirm:
- Segment timing is balanced.
- Host transitions sound conversational.
- Fact-heavy sections include source context.

## 5) Monitor Render Queue

!!! note "Annotated view: Render queue"
    **Alt text:** Render queue showing in-progress, completed, and failed render jobs with retry actions.

Queue best practices:
- Prioritize short drafts for rapid QA.
- Retry failures after checking asset integrity.
- Archive superseded versions to reduce noise.

## 6) Manage Project & Episode History

!!! note "Annotated view: Project list and episode history"
    **Alt text:** Project list and episode history view with version labels, publish status, and destination channels.

Use episode history to track:
- Revision progression
- Performance-linked updates
- Publishing destination consistency
