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Features
Approval Workflows

Approval Workflows

Simple email-based approval system for content review before publishing.

How It Works

The approval system is straightforward:

  1. Brand Setting: Set require_approval: true in brand generation settings
  2. Email Sent: When content is generated, an email is sent via Resend
  3. Review: Click approve or reject links in the email
  4. Status Update: Content status changes based on action

Configuration

Brand-Level Setting

Approvals are configured at the brand level in the database:

// In brandGenerationSettings.publishing
{
  "require_approval": true,
  "auto_publish": false
}

When enabled, ALL content for profiles under that brand requires approval.

Post-Level Override

Individual posts can skip approval using the autoPublish checkbox in the content form. This overrides the brand setting for that specific post.

Content States

Reviewing

  • Content awaiting approval
  • Email has been sent
  • Cannot be published until approved

Approved

  • Ready for publishing
  • Will publish at scheduled time
  • Approval tracked in database

Rejected

  • Will not be published
  • Requires regeneration or manual intervention
  • Rejection notes stored with content

Approval Actions

Via Email

  • Approve/Reject links in email
  • Direct action without logging in
  • One-click decision

Via Dashboard

In the Content Details Panel:

  • Approve button - marks content as approved
  • Reject button - opens dialog for rejection notes
  • Both actions update status immediately

Timing Considerations

Before Scheduled Time

  • Content must be approved before scheduled publish time
  • If not approved, content remains in "reviewing" status
  • Will not publish until approved

After Scheduled Time

  • If approved after scheduled time, content status changes to "approved"
  • Content does not automatically publish - it misses its scheduled slot
  • Must be manually rescheduled or published

No Expiration

  • Approval links don't expire (no 7-day limit)
  • Content remains in reviewing status indefinitely until action taken

Database Fields

Content approval tracked in content_generations table:

  • approvedBy - User who approved (Clerk userId)
  • approvedAt - Timestamp of approval
  • rejectedBy - User who rejected (Clerk userId)
  • rejectedAt - Timestamp of rejection
  • reviewNotes - Rejection reason
  • approvalMethod - How it was approved (email, dashboard, api)

Current Implementation

What Works

✅ Brand-level require_approval setting ✅ Email notifications via Resend ✅ Dashboard approve/reject buttons ✅ Status tracking in database ✅ Post-level autoPublish override

What Doesn't Exist

❌ Multiple approvers ❌ Approval delegation ❌ In-app notifications ❌ Approval reminders ❌ Bulk approval interface ❌ Slack/Teams integration ❌ Custom approval rules ❌ Approval analytics

API Endpoints

// Approve content
POST /api/content/:id/approve
 
// Reject content
POST /api/content/:id/reject
{
  "notes": "Rejection reason"
}

Best Practices

  1. Set at Brand Level - Configure once for all profiles
  2. Review Promptly - Don't let content pile up in review
  3. Clear Feedback - Provide specific rejection reasons
  4. Monitor Queue - Check reviewing items regularly

Limitations

  • Single approver only (no approval chains)
  • No automated reminders
  • No bulk operations in UI
  • Email-only notifications
  • Basic email template (not customizable)
  • No approval history/audit trail beyond basic fields

Next Steps

Profile ManagementOverview