# Shared snapshots

**Release status: new public snapshot sharing is not released for this documentation preview.** Its implemented workflow and enabled test replays do not establish current production availability. Publication must remain disabled until the app's release checks pass. This chapter describes the approved behavior conditionally so readers can understand it without being offered a fabricated live link.

## What a snapshot contains

An explicitly published snapshot is a frozen, hosted copy of a Network at publication time. It includes complete record content, Sources, Citations, excerpts, pasted source text, layout and viewport. Filters do not create a redacted export of only the visible canvas.

Later local edits do not update a snapshot. Deleting a local working Network does not remove a hosted snapshot. A share password is a server access gate, not encryption. Use only synthetic or non-sensitive content, even when a password is selected.

## Publication when a deployment permits it

**Prerequisites:** a signed-in owner, an enabled and verified deployment, and an explicit decision to publish every included record and source.

1. Choose **Share snapshot** and review the full-content warning and counts.
2. Choose **Anyone with the link** or **Require a password**. For the latter, supply the separate **Share password**.
3. Review the frozen-copy notice, then choose **Publish snapshot** only after the human publication decision is complete.
4. Check the success state before using **Copy link**. If clipboard copying fails, select the displayed link and copy it manually.

If the app says publishing is disabled or the status cannot be confirmed, stop this workflow. Do not change release flags, call internal endpoints or infer that retrying another route grants permission.

## Viewing and independent copies

An unlisted link can be forwarded. A link without a password is viewable without an account; a protected link requires its share password before Network content is returned. An available viewer is read-only and supports inspection of the snapshot's graph and evidence.

**Copy to my Networks** requires authentication. It validates the snapshot and creates an independent browser-local Network with new Network, entity, relationship, Source and Citation IDs and remapped references. The recipient's edits do not change the published version or the owner's working Network. This is not live collaboration, synchronization or shared editing.

## Revoke or permanently delete

Where the owner controls are available, **Your shared snapshots** lists the owner's snapshots. **Revoke link** stops viewing, unlocking and copying while the hosted snapshot remains. **Permanently delete** removes the hosted snapshot and its application preview content; a content-free locator tombstone prevents URL reuse. Read and confirm the exact action in its dialog.

Existing recipient copies, downloaded material, screenshots and third-party cached previews are outside that revocation/deletion action. Do not tell someone that revoking a URL erases every copy. When an action cannot be confirmed, inspect the reported state and retry deliberately rather than announcing success.