> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cohesive.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Publish a file

> Create a public snapshot, publish later updates, and turn off access.

Publishing creates a public snapshot of a file. Anyone with the link can open the published content without a Cohesive account.

## Publish

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open and review the file">
    Check the content you're about to make public. A published file doesn't require viewers to belong to your organization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Publish">
    Click **Publish** and review the available publishing options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish and copy the link">
    Publish the file, wait for completion, and copy its public URL.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The published viewer shows the file rather than the Canvas or chat around it. Markdown renders as formatted text; HTML retains supported styling and interaction.

## Publish changes

Edits to the working file don't automatically update its public snapshot. Open **Publish** again and choose **Publish updates** to refresh the existing link.

This lets you revise privately and decide when readers receive the next version.

## Unpublish

Choose **Unpublish** from the same controls to stop serving the published file. The working file remains in Cohesive. Unpublishing doesn't recall copies a reader already downloaded or saved.

<Warning>
  Treat a public link as access to its content. Use [file sharing](/product/collaboration/sharing-files) when access should be restricted to specific people in your organization.
</Warning>

To publish a Canvas with its arranged context, see [Public Canvas links](/product/collaboration/public-canvases).