It will make my life and notes a lot easier especially during times with family illnesses or hospitalizations etc. So glad Finn did this. I tried earlier today and it worked!
It seems to me that we have to leave the Substack Notes page open and leave the PC on, but also turn off any screen savers or power saving functions, because if the pc goes into sleep mode or something like that, and is asleep when the posting time comes around, the note will not be posted. Is this correct? Thanks in advance.
Substack's Terms of Service (https://substack.com/tos) do not permit sharing your account password; therefore, Notes Scheduler must use YOUR browser and YOUR credentials, running on YOUR computer.
This is why you need to leave your browser running and prevent your computer from going to sleep.
Hey Finn, loving the app so far. Quick question: the notes don't seem to post when my laptop is 'sleeping'. Is there something I am missing to have the note post even when I am away?
Hi Juliano, the Notes Scheduler depends on the Chrome browser running and your computer staying on to work correctly. This is stated in the product description, User Guide and documentation.
Substack terms and conditions prevent any system that would require you to disclose your credentials, so no external servers or services cannot be used for sending Notes. Therefore it must be your computer, and your browser to handle the posting in the background.
If you shutdown the browser or close your computer, Scheduler won't work. In the Gumroad product page there are instructions how to disable sleep mode on MacOS and Windows computers.
I did implement an integration with Google Sheets, but the configuration is a bit complicated, so only a small subset of users have adopted this method, see
Hey, you can download the latest version from the Gumroad email than the original—no need to repurchase it. Send me a DM if you want me to resend the Gumroad receipt email.
I have downloaded the extension and set up my first scheduled post. It shows as Scheduled but has not posted. Any thoughts? I posted at 9:15am for a 9:20AM delivery.
Hi Finn, I’ve bought the Notes Scheduler. 🙏🏻 what do you suggest users do if they have two substacks? I’m guessing we can’t toggle between submitted urls?
Hey Danusia, you can run another instance of the Notes Scheduler on Brave browser and configure that one for the other Substack newsletter. Brave browser is using Chrome engine and is compatible with the Notes Scheduler.
Finn, I've just purchased and installed the app and am already liking it. Is the hourly time I choose for a scheduled post my own time or some other time?
Changing your computer timezone settings is possible, like if you travel with a laptop to another country. Browser timezone can also be changed for testing, but that requires using Developer tools.
One question, though: One critical feature of Notes is the ability to preview links. Much like FB and other social media, a little function runs to pull out the metadata of any link to preview it in the post. As best I can tell, you aren't previewing that metadata. While I can imagine that's hard, is it something I've missed, is it in your queue, or just can't be done?
(Yes, I could see how screenshots could be a workaround...)
Thanks for the shout-out. You are the first to propose that feature.
I haven't seen that capability in the (undocumented) Substack Note API. I added the ability to attach images (.png, .jpeg, or .webp) to the editor, and those images will be posted as Note attachments when the Note is posted.
The Chrome extension is just Javascript code, so theoretically, I could render some metadata from the provided web link. Or are you thinking of rendering a web page as an image that would be attached to the Note?
Substack does not preview links in comments (here) or in chat, but always does in Notes. They also implement their own fanciness in previewing their how video — in that view plays silently on mouseover. Dunno what's going on there.
I'm not a developer and can't recommend the best way to determine the preview.
To support its advertisers, Facebook went so far as to develop a "sharing debugger" which previews what a preview would look like were it to be posted to Facebook. You'll find it here: https://developers.facebook.com/tools/debug/
Well, yes, that speaks to the same challenge. People sharing to all kinds of social media (now including Substack's Notes) expect to include visuals from remote links when they post, hence "include the preview."
In this case, when I want to post text and a link to Notes using YOUR automation tool, I expect that link to preview. It does not. That's pretty much all I'm saying.
My work around for now is to simply tap edit on a post I've sent using your tool. I notice that as soon as I do that, the preview unfurls.
I've only automated one post so far. Do you expect links to "preview" or "unfurl" in a posted note?
Can you add images to it?
Hey Finn thankyou for this insight. I'm sure this will be of much use to many
Thank you, Maurice! I hope people find this is a helpful tool.
Well Finn, Just shown this piece to a writer friend as an example of how the community comes together on Substack. Nice one Bro !!
That's precisely why I love this community. People are helping each other, and each of us is bringing something unique to the Substack community.
It will make my life and notes a lot easier especially during times with family illnesses or hospitalizations etc. So glad Finn did this. I tried earlier today and it worked!
Yes, this was something I wanted to look into for 2025 Overall Scheduling. That Finn has beaten me too it is a big bonus !!
A huge bonus!
Saving so I can get back to it after the holidays and back at my desk. Can't wait to try as I've been missing a scheduler, exactly as you described.
I hope you like it - as much as Kathleen, who left this awesome feedback: https://substack.com/@finntropy/note/c-79464409
Denise it is a life saver and game changer for sure 💯
It seems to me that we have to leave the Substack Notes page open and leave the PC on, but also turn off any screen savers or power saving functions, because if the pc goes into sleep mode or something like that, and is asleep when the posting time comes around, the note will not be posted. Is this correct? Thanks in advance.
Hi John, this is correct.
Substack's Terms of Service (https://substack.com/tos) do not permit sharing your account password; therefore, Notes Scheduler must use YOUR browser and YOUR credentials, running on YOUR computer.
This is why you need to leave your browser running and prevent your computer from going to sleep.
Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate that!
Hey Finn, loving the app so far. Quick question: the notes don't seem to post when my laptop is 'sleeping'. Is there something I am missing to have the note post even when I am away?
Hi Juliano, the Notes Scheduler depends on the Chrome browser running and your computer staying on to work correctly. This is stated in the product description, User Guide and documentation.
Substack terms and conditions prevent any system that would require you to disclose your credentials, so no external servers or services cannot be used for sending Notes. Therefore it must be your computer, and your browser to handle the posting in the background.
If you shutdown the browser or close your computer, Scheduler won't work. In the Gumroad product page there are instructions how to disable sleep mode on MacOS and Windows computers.
Thank goodness thank you!
Hi Finn! Can you add images or videos to it? Can it be synced on other devices?
Image attachments work, but videos not.
Thank you for the fast reply! Can the tool be synced on another computer as well?
I did implement an integration with Google Sheets, but the configuration is a bit complicated, so only a small subset of users have adopted this method, see
https://finntropy.substack.com/p/substack-scheduled-notes-with-google
Does this also support image attachments?
No, Google Sheets integration doesn't support image attachments—just text for now.
Hiya! My 1.3.1 version isn't working. Do I need to rebuy the extension every time there's an update? Thanks!
Hey, you can download the latest version from the Gumroad email than the original—no need to repurchase it. Send me a DM if you want me to resend the Gumroad receipt email.
Hi Finn: PLEASE HELP! I bought this extension back in January (I think). I used it a couple of times, and it worked great.
However, I fell behind, and I'm ready to use it again, but I can't find the extension!
My email is pamela@pamelahilliardowens.com.
Could you help OR give me a 100% discount code so that I can use it again?
Please let me know.
Thanks so much!
Hey Pamela, I just resent the Gumroad receipt email that has the download link. Let me know if you can't find it.
Found it and re-installed it! I also saved the link and the instructions in my Apple Notes in case this happens again.
Thanks so much for the excellent Notes Scheduler App! It works like a charm.
Thanks Pamela!
I just bought this product, and I'm scheduling a bunch of notes. This is fun :)
Thanks Rodney, I love this kind of feedback.
Btw does it work if my laptop is off or asleep?
No, you need to keep your laptop running, and Chrome browser open.
Got it.
Hey Finn,
I have downloaded the extension and set up my first scheduled post. It shows as Scheduled but has not posted. Any thoughts? I posted at 9:15am for a 9:20AM delivery.
Hey Tommy, I will send you a DM so that we can troubleshoot the issue.
Hi Finn, I’ve bought the Notes Scheduler. 🙏🏻 what do you suggest users do if they have two substacks? I’m guessing we can’t toggle between submitted urls?
Help on this much appreciated!
Hey Danusia, you can run another instance of the Notes Scheduler on Brave browser and configure that one for the other Substack newsletter. Brave browser is using Chrome engine and is compatible with the Notes Scheduler.
Finn, I've just purchased and installed the app and am already liking it. Is the hourly time I choose for a scheduled post my own time or some other time?
It is on your own time by default.
Changing your computer timezone settings is possible, like if you travel with a laptop to another country. Browser timezone can also be changed for testing, but that requires using Developer tools.
Thanks, Finn.
Hey there, Finn, well done. On the strength of Karen Cherry's PubstackSuccess.substack.com tip I found my way to your post and your Gumroad site to buy and install your extension. I've posted a note to celebrate: https://substack.com/profile/170209776-barbara-at-projectkin/note/c-84968851
One question, though: One critical feature of Notes is the ability to preview links. Much like FB and other social media, a little function runs to pull out the metadata of any link to preview it in the post. As best I can tell, you aren't previewing that metadata. While I can imagine that's hard, is it something I've missed, is it in your queue, or just can't be done?
(Yes, I could see how screenshots could be a workaround...)
Hey Barbara @projectkin
Thanks for the shout-out. You are the first to propose that feature.
I haven't seen that capability in the (undocumented) Substack Note API. I added the ability to attach images (.png, .jpeg, or .webp) to the editor, and those images will be posted as Note attachments when the Note is posted.
The Chrome extension is just Javascript code, so theoretically, I could render some metadata from the provided web link. Or are you thinking of rendering a web page as an image that would be attached to the Note?
Well, if I'm the first to ask for it then you've barely begun to get the exposure you deserve. 😊 Previews are hugely important to visibility for ordinary people. Look at the kerfuffle that ensued when X cut off access to Substack previews on the platform (See TechCrunch story: https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/05/x-cuts-headlines-from-link-previews-as-musk-wants-users-posting-directly-on-the-platform)
Substack does not preview links in comments (here) or in chat, but always does in Notes. They also implement their own fanciness in previewing their how video — in that view plays silently on mouseover. Dunno what's going on there.
I'm not a developer and can't recommend the best way to determine the preview.
To support its advertisers, Facebook went so far as to develop a "sharing debugger" which previews what a preview would look like were it to be posted to Facebook. You'll find it here: https://developers.facebook.com/tools/debug/
I found this Chrome extension that sounds close to what you are looking for: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/social-share-preview/ggnikicjfklimmffbkhknndafpdlabib
Well, yes, that speaks to the same challenge. People sharing to all kinds of social media (now including Substack's Notes) expect to include visuals from remote links when they post, hence "include the preview."
In this case, when I want to post text and a link to Notes using YOUR automation tool, I expect that link to preview. It does not. That's pretty much all I'm saying.
My work around for now is to simply tap edit on a post I've sent using your tool. I notice that as soon as I do that, the preview unfurls.
I've only automated one post so far. Do you expect links to "preview" or "unfurl" in a posted note?
I need to study how this works. I'll add this on my TODO list.
You're amazing. Thank you.
are you kidding, I’ve literally posted why notes can’t be scheduled a few months back! 🥲🙏
Yep, I got frustrated, so I built this Notes scheduler tool myself.
I was wondering about this. Thanks for sharing. Now I can enjoy interacting the feed without having the "need to post" monkey on my back.