Editing Template 2

{{Short description|Pages in the Draft: namespace}}
{{About|the Draft namespace|drafts in the User namespace|Help:Userspace draft}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{pp-protected|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]]|small=yes}}
{{Warning|<big>This specific page is '''not''' the place to create a new draft. For that, please see {{slink||Creating and editing drafts}} below.</big>}}
{{infopage}}
{{Namespaces}}

'''Drafts''' are  [[Wikipedia:Administration#Data structure and development|pages]] in the Draft [[Wikipedia:Namespace|namespace]] (''draftspace'') where new articles{{refn|group=note|Including [[WP:Disambiguation|disambiguation pages]]; very rarely, new pages for non-article namespaces such as the Portal:, Template: and Wikipedia: namespaces are first incubated in the draftspace.}} may be created and developed, for a limited period of time.{{refn|group=note|After six months have elapsed since its last substantive edit, the draft becomes eligible for deletion. See {{slink||Abandoned drafts}}.}}  They allow editors to develop new articles and to receive feedback before being moved to Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:What is an article?|article namespace]] (''mainspace''). If you are logged in, creating a Draft version first is optional. Editors may instead choose to create [[Help:Userspace draft|draft pages in their userspace]] or new articles directly in mainspace after the user has become [[WP:AUTOCONFIRM|autoconfirmed or confirmed]]. This namespace was created, and the current process [[Special:Diff/586576016|established]], in December 2013.{{refn|group=note|{{cite web |last1=Walling |first1=Steven |title=New draft feature provides a gentler start for Wikipedia articles |url=https://diff.wikimedia.org/2013/12/20/new-draft-feature/ |website=Diff |publisher=Wikimedia Foundation |access-date=13 September 2024 |date=20 December 2013}}}}{{refn|group=note|The numbers 118 and 119 were chosen as namespace IDs given that they were not in use on other Wikimedia wikis, according to [[phab:T59315#621677]] (December 10th, 2013).}}

== Creating and editing drafts ==
Anyone, including users who are not logged in, can create and edit drafts. Drafts have "Draft:" before their normal title, and also have an associated draft talk page. Users who have [[Wikipedia:VisualEditor|VisualEditor]] enabled will be able to use VisualEditor just as with articles. Changing a page from a draft to an article requires an [[WP:Autoconfirmed|autoconfirmed]] account (an account with at least 10 edits and created at least 4 days ago). Doing so is done by [[Wikipedia:MOVE|moving]] the page to a title without "Draft:" in front of it. If there is a technical barrier to the move, such as when the creation of an article may be protected, seek assistance at places such as the [[Wikipedia:TEAHOUSE|Teahouse]], the [[Wikipedia:RM/TR|technical moves page]], or the [[Wikipedia:RFUP|request for unprotection page]].
<br />
<div class="center">'''Create a new draft'''</div>
{{#tag:InputBox |
type=create
preload=Template:Afc preload/draft
placeholder=Enter the name of the article here to start a draft.
prefix=Draft:
editintro=Template:AfC draft editintro
buttonlabel=Create draft
width=41
break=no
}}

After you have created your draft page:

* (Optionally) add the template {{tl|Draft article}} at the top of the draft (not the talk page), along with the template's parameters {{para||name}} and {{para|subject}}. A list of appropriate subject fields can be found [[Template:Draft article#Usage|here]]. If the draft name has a redirect page of the same name, you can use {{tl|R with possibilities}}.
{{shortcut|WP:DRAFTCAT}}
* Disable any categories by inserting a colon before the word "Category", e.g. change <code><nowiki>[[Category:Living people]]</nowiki></code> to <code><nowiki>[[:Category:Living people]]</nowiki></code>  <!-- This has the advantages over other methods that it links to the category and only requiring one character to be removed to activate it when published. -->, or by using the {{tl|Draft categories}} template.
* [[WP:NFC|Non-free content]] cannot be included in draft articles, per Wikipedia's [[WP:NFCCP#9|policy on where non-free media is allowed]]. Any desired non-free content should be added to the article once it has been moved to the mainspace.

== Finding drafts ==
{{Shortcut|WP:DRAFTINDEX}}
Drafts are [[WP:NOINDEX|not indexed]] by most search engines including Google,{{refn|group=note|name=one|Search engines or [[WP:MIRRORS|mirrors]] that do not respect the [[Robots exclusion standard|robots.txt]] convention might still index drafts.}} meaning most readers will not find them. Anyone can search and view drafts on Wikipedia directly using Wikipedia's built-in search engine: simply choose "Advanced", then tick "Draft" and/or "Draft talk" on the list of options (i.e. in [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&profile=advanced&search=&fulltext=Search&ns118=1&ns119=1&redirs=1&profile=advanced this manner]). The list of all draft pages is at [[Special:AllPages/Draft:|Special:AllPages]] or [[Special:PrefixIndex/Draft:|Special:PrefixIndex]]. You can also view {{Recentchanges|118}} to the namespace, [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ANewPages&namespace=118&tagfilter=&username= newly created drafts], visit a [[Special:Random/Draft|random draft]], or see [[Wikipedia:AfC sorting]]. Some drafts are sorted by subtopic under [[:Category:Draft articles]].

As the draft namespace is a common location for incubating articles (unlike user space), users are notified through [[Template:New page DYM]] when visiting a non-existent article whose title does exist in draft space, to prevent unnecessary creation of duplicates on [[Wikipedia:Current event templates|current events]], and to help editors discover abandoned drafts to take over and save time rather than starting from scratch:

The warning is also invoked by [[Template:Editnotices/Namespace/Main]] for existing mainspace pages.

<blockquote>
{{Draft at|Draft:Example}}
</blockquote>

== Moving drafts to mainspace ==
{{anchor|Publishing a draft}} <!-- Drafts are legally published as soon as other people can see them, not when they're moved to the mainspace -->{{shortcut|WP:DRAFTMOVE}}
Putting the article in the [[Wikipedia:Mainspace|main namespace]] (where normal articles are) requires an editor to use the [[Wikipedia:Moving a page|page move]] function to move it into the Main (article) namespace. Anonymous editors, or registered editors who are not [[WP:AUTOCONFIRMED|autoconfirmed]], will need to request help with this step by inserting into their drafts the relevant template for [[Wikipedia:Requested moves|requesting a page move]]. Optionally, editors can also submit drafts for review via the [[Wikipedia:Articles for creation|articles for creation]] process by adding the code {{tlxs|submit}} to the top of the draft page. 

An article created in draftspace [[Wikipedia:ownership of content|does not belong to the editor who created it]], and any other user may edit, move, rename, redirect, merge, or seek deletion of any draft.{{refn|group=note|name=editing policy|Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Editing policy|editing policy]] applies to all pages, including drafts.}}

== Moving articles to draftspace ==
{{shortcut|WP:DRAFTIFY}}
{{anchor|WP:DRAFTNOTIFY}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:Deletion policy#Incubation}}
{{About|the procedure for moving drafts|the user script|User:MPGuy2824/MoveToDraft|section=yes}}
{{anchor|Requirements for page movers}}
{{anchor|Requirements for draftifying editors}}
{{anchor|Tools for moving articles to draft space}}
The aim of moving an article to draft is to allow time and space for the draft's improvement until it is acceptable for mainspace. It is {{strong|not}} intended as a [[WP:backdoor to deletion|backdoor route to deletion]].

After moving an article to draft space, you should:

* Nominate the resulting cross-namespace redirect for deletion using {{tl|db-r2}} (administrators and [[Wikipedia:Page mover|page movers]] can skip this by moving without leaving a redirect)
* Notify the creator of the article (e.g. with {{tl|uw-articletodraft}})
* Mark its talk page with the tags of any relevant projects as a means of soliciting improvements from interested editors

The process can be automated with the [[User:MPGuy2824/MoveToDraft|MoveToDraft]] user script.

=== Reasons to move an article to draftspace ===
{{Shortcut|WP:DRAFTREASON}}{{anchor|WP:DRAFTYES}}

Common reasons for [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy#Incubation|incubating an article to draftspace as an alternative to deletion]] include, but are not limited to:

# The article was created by an editor who appears to have a [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest]], but it did not go through the [[Wikipedia:Articles for Creation|Articles for Creation]] (AfC) process{{refn|group=note|Editors with a conflict of interest are asked to use AfC in {{section link|Wikipedia:Conflict of interest#COI editing}} and {{section link|Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|Paid editing}}.}}
# The article consists of machine-generated text, such as an [[WP:MACHINE|unreviewed machine translation]] or the output of a [[Wikipedia:Large language models|large language model]] (LLM)
# The article is about an upcoming event or forthcoming work that is [[Wikipedia:Too soon|not notable yet]], but likely to become so in the near future

=== Reasons not to move an article to draftspace ===
{{Shortcut|WP:DRAFTNO}}{{anchor|WP:DONTDRAFTIFY|WP:AFDTODRAFT}}

Editors should generally avoid moving an article to draftspace in the following circumstances:

# The article was created more than 90 days ago{{refn|group=note|name=draftifyoldrfc|RFC at [[Special:PermanentLink/1078979320#Proposal to ban draftifying articles more than 90 days old without consensus|Wikipedia:Village pump (policy)#Proposal to ban draftifying articles more than 90 days old without consensus]].}}
# The article is currently being discussed at [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|articles for deletion]] (AfD), [[Wikipedia:Deletion review|deletion review]] (DRV), or a similar venue where the move could pre-empt a formal close{{refn|group=note|Per {{section link|Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|Wikietiquette}}, {{tq|[w]hile there is no prohibition against moving an article while an AfD or deletion review discussion is in progress, editors considering doing so should realize such a move can confuse the discussion greatly, can preempt a closing decision, can make the discussion difficult to track, and can lead to inconsistencies when using semi-automated closing scripts.}}}}
# The article contains outstanding [[Wikipedia:Copyright violations|copyright violations]]; these are not allowed in any namespace and must be addressed
# There is no [[WP:PRESERVE|chance that the article can be improved]] to the point that is suitable for mainspace; problems that can't be fixed are [[WP:DEL-REASON|reasons for deletion]]
# Another editor is actively working on the article, e.g. there is an {{tl|under construction}} notice or there have been constructive edits made within the last hour
# Another editor has asserted that the page belongs in mainspace, e.g. they have previously moved the draft there, or there is a clear statement to that effect in the edit history or on the talk page{{refn|group=note|name=movewar|Moving an article over the objections of another editor, without seeking consensus, constitutes [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|edit warring]] (more specifically [[Wikipedia:Move warring|move warring]])}}
# Another editor [[WP:DRAFTOBJECT|has objected to or reversed the move]]{{refn|group=note|name=movewar}}

=== As a result of a deletion discussion ===
Articles may be moved to become a draft as a result of a [[WP:AfD|deletion discussion]], or indirectly following deletion and a [[Wikipedia:Requests for undeletion|request for undeletion]]. When performing such a move, link to the original deletion discussion and the decision to move the article into draftspace. <!--[[Wikipedia:Userfication]] refers to putting an undeleted page in userspace--> Authors should try to understand and respond to the reason for moving to draft status, and then use the [[WP:AfC|AfC]] submission process to have the page moved back to mainspace. The author is encouraged to ask other editors questions, or to use the {{tl|Help me}} template.

=== Objections ===
{{Shortcut|WP:DRAFTOBJECT|WP:DRAFTONCE}}
Moving an article to draftspace, like any action, requires [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. It may initially be carried out as a [[WP:BOLD|bold move]] if there is a reasonable expectation that doing so is uncontroversial. But if another editor—including the creator of the page, but excluding editors with a [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest]]—objects to the move (for example by moving the page back to mainspace), then it is not uncontroversial. In these circumstances, refrain from further draftifications until a consensus on the appropriate namespace has been established on the article's talk page, at [[Wikipedia:articles for deletion|articles for deletion]], or another suitable venue. This means that {{strong|an article should only be unilaterally moved to draftspace a single time}}.

== Deleting drafts ==
{{See also|Wikipedia:Deletion policy#Deletion of drafts|Wikipedia:Drafts are not checked for notability or sanity}}
Drafts are meant to be works in progress, and most will not meet Wikipedia's standards for quality at first. This means that drafts are not subject to the same [[Wikipedia:Criteria_for_speedy_deletion#Articles|deletion criteria]] as articles, such as "no context", "no indication of importance", or "not in English". Creators should be allowed time to e.g. establish context or notability, translate, and make other adjustments and improvements (though [[#Abandoned drafts|abandoned drafts]] will be deleted after six months). 

=== Speedy deletion ===
The [[WP:CSD#General|general]] section of the [[WP:CSD|criteria for speedy deletion]] may be applied to drafts. Drafts that are copyright violations, vandalism, disparage or attack their subject, are tests, or unambiguous advertising or promotion can be speedily deleted.

=== Abandoned drafts ===
{{shortcut|WP:OLDDRAFT}}
Drafts that have not been edited in six months may be deleted under criterion for speedy deletion [[WP:G13|G13]].  Most G13 nominations for deletion are done by [[Wikipedia:Bots|bots]] or users using Twinkle or AFCH, processes that inform the draft creator on their talk page.  Pages deleted under G13 may be restored upon request at [[WP:REFUND]] (see [[Wikipedia:Requests for undeletion/G13]]).
{{Shortcut|WP:PROMISING}}{{Anchor|Promising drafts}}
Drafts may be tagged with {{tl|promising draft}} by an editor other than the original draft creator, if they feel that a draft is promising. This tag cannot be used to ''indefinitely'' prevent a [[WP:CSD#G13|G13]] speedy deletion nomination,{{refn|group=note|name=promising|[[Special:PermanentLink/848304259#Request for comment: Promising drafts|This RfC]] determined through community consensus that [[Template:Promising draft]] cannot be used to indefinitely prevent a [[WP:G13|G13]] speedy nomination, superseding a [[Wikipedia talk:Criteria for speedy deletion/Archive 66#Template for promising drafts|previous discussion]].}} but extra attention should be directed to determining the viability of a draft bearing this notice before seeking to delete it.

=== Miscellany for deletion ===
{{shortcut|WP:NMFD}}
Drafts that do not meet any of the criteria for speedy deletion can still be nominated for deletion at [[Wikipedia:miscellany for deletion|miscellany for deletion]] (MfD). A draft will be deleted at MfD if there is a consensus that it meets one of the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy#Reasons for deletion|reasons for deletion under the deletion policy]] ''and'' that it is unlikely to [[Wikipedia:Editing policy#Wikipedia is a work in progress: perfection is not required|ever be a viable article]].{{refn|group=note|name=delrfc|{{section link|Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)/Archive 149|RfC: Deletion of drafts}}}} Failure to demonstrate that the topic meets notability guidelines is not considered sufficient reason to delete a draft,{{refn|group=note|{{Section link|Wikipedia talk:Notability/Archive 58|RfC: Does WP:N apply to drafts in userspace or draftspace?}}}} unless it has been repeatedly declined and resubmitted at AfC without improvement.{{refn|group=note|name=delrfc}}

=== Redirects from drafts moved to mainspace ===
{{shortcut|WP:RDRAFT}}
Redirects that are a result of page moves from the draft namespace to another namespace should be retained.{{refn|group=note|name=redirects|It was determined that the community consensus in [[Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)/Archive 135#Draft Namespace Redirects|this RfC]] regarding draft namespace redirects amounted to "there is a clear consensus against deletion of draft namespace redirects. There is a rough consensus against the alternative proposal to delete draft namespace redirects after six months."}}

== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)/Archive 107#Proposed new Draft namespace|Request for Comment]] for the new namespace on the [[Wikipedia:Village pump (proposals)|Village pump (proposals)]]
* [[Wikipedia:Do not use draftspace]], an essay
* [[Wikipedia:Mbabel]] - article draft generating tool for Wikipedia based on Wikidata
* [[Wikipedia:Workpages]]
* [[Wikipedia:Article wizard]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== Learn more ==
* See the [[:mw:Draft namespace|technical requirements and future development]] ideas on MediaWiki.org

{{Wikipedia technical help|collapsed}}
[[Category:Wikipedia drafts| ]]
[[Category:Wikipedia features]]