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Editing Eprints

This guide covers editing, versioning, and deleting eprints.

Overview​

Chive supports full lifecycle management for eprints:

  • Editing updates metadata and optionally replaces the document
  • Versioning tracks changes with semantic version numbers
  • Changelogs document what changed between versions
  • Deletion removes the eprint from your PDS and all indexers

All operations write to your PDS (or the paper's PDS for paper-centric submissions). Chive indexes changes from the firehose; your data remains under your control.

Editing an Eprint​

Who Can Edit​

For traditional eprints, only the submitter can edit. For paper-centric eprints (those stored in a paper account PDS), you must authenticate as the paper account.

How to Edit​

  1. Navigate to your eprint
  2. Click the Edit button (visible only if you have permission)
  3. The section-based edit page opens with collapsible sections
  4. Modify the fields in each section as needed
  5. Select a version bump type in the Review section
  6. Optionally add changelog details
  7. Click Save Changes

Quick Title Editing​

For quick title changes, click the pencil icon next to the title on the eprint page. This opens an inline editor without navigating to the full edit page.

Section-Based Edit Page​

The edit page organizes fields into logical sections:

SectionFields
MetadataTitle, abstract, keywords
AuthorsAuthor list, affiliations, ORCID
FieldsAcademic field classifications
PublicationPublication status, DOI, journal
FilesPDF document, supplementary files
SupplementaryCode, data, appendices
FacetsPMEST classification values
ReviewVersion bump, changelog

Sections with unsaved changes display a badge indicator. Expand or collapse sections to focus on what you need to edit.

Editable Fields​

FieldDescription
TitleEprint title (max 500 chars)
KeywordsComma-separated keyword list
DocumentReplace the manuscript file

Schema Migration​

If your eprint uses an older record format, you may see a migration banner prompting you to update. Click "Update to Latest Format" to migrate your record to the latest schema. This is a one-time operation that preserves all your content.

Semantic Versioning​

Eprints use semantic versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH) to communicate the nature of changes.

Version Format​

1.2.3-draft
│ │ │  └── Prerelease tag (optional)
│ │ └───── Patch version
│ └─────── Minor version
└───────── Major version

When to Use Each Version Type​

TypeWhen to UseExamples
PatchTypo fixes, formatting corrections, citation fixes"Fixed typos", "Corrected formatting"
MinorNew content, significant additions, new analysis"Added new section", "Expanded methodology"
MajorFundamental revisions, methodology changes"Complete rewrite", "New experimental methodology"

Prerelease Tags​

Optional prerelease identifiers mark work-in-progress versions:

  • 1.0.0-draft: Initial draft before formal release
  • 2.0.0-rc1: Release candidate for major revision

Structured Changelogs​

When updating an eprint, you can create a structured changelog to document your changes. Changelogs help readers understand what evolved between versions.

Changelog Structure​

A changelog contains:

  • Summary: One-line overview (max 500 characters)
  • Sections: Changes grouped by category
  • Reviewer Response: Response to peer review feedback (optional)

Changelog Categories​

CategoryUse For
methodologyChanges to research methods
resultsNew or updated results
analysisChanges to data analysis
discussionUpdates to discussion section
conclusionsChanged conclusions
dataData updates or corrections
figuresNew or updated figures
tablesNew or updated tables
referencesBibliography changes
supplementary-materialsUpdates to supplementary files
correctionsError corrections
formattingLayout and formatting changes
language-editingGrammar, style, or clarity improvements
acknowledgmentsUpdates to acknowledgments
authorshipAuthor list changes
otherChanges not fitting other categories

Change Types​

Each change item can have a type:

TypeMeaning
addedNew content that did not exist
changedModified existing content
removedDeleted content
fixedCorrected errors
deprecatedContent marked for removal

Creating a Changelog​

  1. In the edit dialog, click Changelog Details to expand
  2. Enter a brief summary
  3. Click Add Section and select a category
  4. Add change items with descriptions
  5. Optionally specify location (e.g., "Section 3.2")
  6. Optionally reference a reviewer comment

Responding to Peer Review​

If you are revising in response to peer review, expand the "Response to Peer Review" section to add a general response. For individual changes, use the "Review Reference" field to cite specific reviewer comments.

Version History​

The version history panel shows all versions of an eprint with their changelogs.

Viewing Version History​

  1. Navigate to any eprint
  2. Scroll to the Version History section
  3. Click a version to expand its changelog details

Information Shown​

  • Version number and date
  • Summary of changes
  • Categorized change items with types
  • Location references
  • Reviewer responses

Deleting an Eprint​

Before You Delete​

Deletion is permanent. The following will be removed:

  • The eprint record and document from your PDS
  • All endorsements associated with the eprint
  • All reviews and comments on the eprint
  • View and download metrics

Who Can Delete​

For traditional eprints, only the submitter can delete. For paper-centric eprints, you must authenticate as the paper account.

How to Delete​

  1. Navigate to your eprint
  2. Click the Delete button
  3. Review the confirmation dialog
  4. Click Delete Eprint to confirm

The deletion propagates from your PDS to all indexers, including Chive.

Paper-Centric Eprints​

Paper-centric eprints store data in a dedicated paper account PDS rather than your personal PDS. This model suits collaborative projects where authorship may change.

Authentication Requirements​

To edit or delete a paper-centric eprint:

  1. Click Edit or Delete
  2. The system prompts you to authenticate as the paper account
  3. Complete the OAuth flow for the paper account
  4. Proceed with your edit or deletion

Identifying Paper-Centric Eprints​

Paper-centric eprints display the paper's DID on the eprint page. The edit dialog also indicates when paper authentication is required.

Troubleshooting​

Cannot Edit​

  • Verify you are signed in
  • Check that you are the submitter (or authenticated as the paper account)
  • For paper-centric eprints, ensure you complete the paper authentication flow

Update Conflict​

If you see "The eprint was modified by someone else," the record changed after you loaded it. Refresh the page and try again.

Version History Not Loading​

Version history queries the Chive AppView. If changelogs appear missing:

  • Wait a few minutes for indexing to complete
  • Refresh the page
  • Check that the eprint has multiple versions