14 Free Steam Store Publish Checklist Tools for October Next Fest Upload Week - 2026

Tuesday upload week: engineering posts "depot live." Marketing clicks Publish on store overrides. Community manager schedules a hub announcement. Nobody checked whether review keys still reference last week's build_label. Steamworks shows Coming Soon on one locale while the demo depot serves rc04. SteamPipe depot upload log says steampipe_upload_ok: true—but BUILD_RECEIPT has no store_publish_ok column because publish lived in three tabs and a Discord thread.

October 2026 upload week compresses depot promotion, store page publish, community announcements, and key batches into the same seventy-two hours after localization capstone opens october_upload_window_allowed. Teams that finished strings freeze discover the new bottleneck is publish coordination—not Weblate. This Listicles & Resource Roundups post curates fourteen free tools (plus a four-tool minimum stack) to run a scannable publish checklist across depot / store / community / keys, file october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json with gates P1–P6, and set BUILD_RECEIPT store_publish_ok: true only when every surface matches the same build_id.

Non-repetition note: 14 metadata export/diff tools owns Wednesday export/diff tooling. 12 setlive checks owns steamcmd promotion preflight. Depot upload log evening #1 owns SteamPipe jsonl U1–U6. T-90 creator outreach owns July embargo roster. This URL owns upload-week publish checklist tooling + P1–P6 receipt—not another metadata diff list or depot log tutorial.

Pair depot upload log #1, 12 setlive checks, localization capstone, Resource #58 forward, Help #61 forward, forward blog #10 Wednesday depot smoke.

Why this matters now (October 2026 upload week)

1. Depot live ≠ store live — Players see old capsule copy while new binary installs—support tickets spike hour one.
2. Locale publish order — CJK overrides from multilingual capsule Z need publish sequence, not parallel chaos.
3. Community hub parity — Hub announcements parity fails when publish checklist skips community row.
4. Key batch drift — Keys sent pre-upload reference wrong branch unless checklist ties key_batch_id to jsonl steam_build_id.
5. Receipt sprawl — Upload log, setlive receipt, and store publish need one BUILD_RECEIPT story for forward #12 capstone.

Direct answer: Deploy the four-tool minimum (Sheets checklist + Steamworks publish tabs + jq validator + BUILD_RECEIPT crosswalk), run upload-week publish calendar, file october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json with P1–P6 GREEN, latch store_publish_ok only when depot, store, community, and keys rows match one build_id.

Who this listicle is for

Time: ~90 minutes to wire four-tool minimum; ~3 hours for full fourteen-tool pass + receipt before first upload-week publish wave.

Beginner cheat sheet — four-tool minimum stack

Rule: All four wired → ready for P1–P3. Tools 5–14 add diff, screenshots, CI, calendars, and verification scripts.

Developer path — gates P1–P6

Upload-week publish calendar (beginner)

Default October 2026 upload week (adjust to your invite):

Copy into release-evidence/store/publish_calendar_2026.csv:

day_utc,category,action,owner,build_id,status,notes
2026-10-06,depot,steampipe_upload_ok,engineering@studio,2026-10-06-rc01,GREEN,pairs jsonl
2026-10-07,store,publish_en_core,marketing@studio,2026-10-06-rc01,PLANNED,after P1
2026-10-07,store,publish_ja_override,loc@studio,2026-10-06-rc01,PLANNED,after Z pass
2026-10-08,community,hub_announcement,community@studio,2026-10-06-rc01,PLANNED,parity checklist
2026-10-08,keys,review_batch_2,producer@studio,2026-10-06-rc01,PLANNED,labeled DEMO

october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json (template)

{
  "schema": "october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1",
  "fest_window": "2026-10-next-fest-live",
  "build_id": "2026-10-06-rc01",
  "steam_build_id": "18472931",
  "generated_at_utc": "2026-10-08T16:00:00Z",
  "checklist_path": "release-evidence/store/publish_checklist_v1.json",
  "calendar_path": "release-evidence/store/publish_calendar_2026.csv",
  "steampipe_receipt_path": "release-evidence/steam/steampipe_depot_upload_receipt_v1.json",
  "gates": {
    "P1": true,
    "P2": true,
    "P3": true,
    "P4": true,
    "P5": true,
    "P6": true
  },
  "categories": {
    "depot": "done",
    "store": "done",
    "community": "done",
    "keys": "done"
  },
  "store_publish_ok": true,
  "notes": ""
}

publish_checklist_v1.json (four categories)

{
  "schema": "publish_checklist_v1",
  "build_id": "2026-10-06-rc01",
  "items": [
    {"id": "depot-01", "category": "depot", "label": "steampipe_upload_ok on BUILD_RECEIPT", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "depot-02", "category": "depot", "label": "setlive_allowed or documented skip", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "store-01", "category": "store", "label": "EN short description + about published", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "store-02", "category": "store", "label": "claimed locales published", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "store-03", "category": "store", "label": "capsule + trailer slots match rc build", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "comm-01", "category": "community", "label": "hub announcement live", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "comm-02", "category": "community", "label": "event post demo scope parity", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "keys-01", "category": "keys", "label": "review keys labeled DEMO + build_label", "status": "done"},
    {"id": "keys-02", "category": "keys", "label": "no keys on wrong branch", "status": "done"}
  ]
}

verify_october_store_publish_checklist.sh

#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
R="${1:-release-evidence/store/october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json}"
jq -e '.schema == "october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1"' "$R" >/dev/null
jq -e '.store_publish_ok == true' "$R" >/dev/null
jq -e '.gates.P1 and .gates.P2 and .gates.P3 and .gates.P4 and .gates.P5 and .gates.P6' "$R" >/dev/null
OPEN=$(jq '[.items[]? | select(.status != "done")] | length' "$(jq -r '.checklist_path' "$R")" 2>/dev/null || echo 1)
test "$OPEN" -eq 0 || { echo "checklist items open: $OPEN"; exit 1; }
echo "october store publish checklist verify: OK"

The 14 free tools

Tool 1 — Google Sheets or Airtable (free tier)

Category: All four tabs in one view.
Job: Human checklist with build_id column, owner, UTC timestamp, RED/YELLOW/GREEN.
Beginner: Duplicate template tab per fest; do not fork columns mid-week.
Dev: Export CSV nightly to publish_calendar_2026.csv for jq.
Pair: Tool 4 BUILD_RECEIPT crosswalk.

Tool 2 — Steamworks partner portal (Store tab)

Category: Store.
Job: Official publish surface for descriptions, capsules, trailers.
Beginner: Publish EN first; locales second after freeze evening locales list matches.
Dev: Screenshot each locale after publish → P4 evidence folder.
Official: Steamworks store page docs.

Tool 3 — Steamworks Builds tab

Category: Depot.
Job: Confirm steam_build_id matches steampipe jsonl.
Beginner: Builds tab is source of truth for depot bytes—not Discord.
Dev: Copy build ID into receipt steam_build_id field.

Tool 4 — BUILD_RECEIPT.json

Category: Crosswalk.
Job: Hold steampipe_upload_ok, store_publish_ok, paths to cousin receipts.
Beginner: One file producers open Monday standup.
Dev: jq latch chain: upload ok before publish ok.

Tool 5 — jq (CLI)

Category: Validation.
Job: Run verify script; fail CI before community webhook.
Beginner: Install once; copy verify script from this article.
Dev: Gate GitHub Actions publish job on exit 0.

Tool 6 — Git + plain-text store baselines

Category: Store.
Job: Diff approved copy vs live export from metadata diff listicle cousin.
Beginner: Commit store-metadata/approved/ when producer signs.
Dev: git diff before clicking Publish catches LLM drift.

Tool 7 — steamcmd + dry-run logs

Category: Depot.
Job: Cousin to 12 setlive checks—archive log path on checklist row depot-02.
Beginner: Do not check store-01 done until depot-01 done.
Dev: Link dry-run path in steampipe jsonl line.

Tool 8 — Steam Community announcements UI

Category: Community.
Job: Publish hub post with same demo scope bullets as store FAQ.
Beginner: Use hub parity checklist row list.
Dev: Archive announcement URL in checklist item comm-01 notes.

Tool 9 — Steamworks Review Keys

Category: Keys.
Job: Batch keys with visible DEMO label + build_label per review keys article.
Beginner: No keys until store-03 capsule matches rc build.
Dev: Record key_batch_id on checklist keys-01.

Tool 10 — CSV publish calendar (Tool 1 export)

Category: Scheduling.
Job: P3 evidence—who published what when.
Beginner: One row per action; no merged cells.
Dev: jq slurp for capstone forward #12 annex.

Tool 11 — Filesystem screenshot folder

Category: Store + community.
Job: P4 locale publish proof—not for players, for partner diligence.
Beginner: Name files {locale}_{field}_{date}.png.
Dev: Hash optional; path in receipt enough for v1.

Tool 12 — Discord webhook (optional notify)

Category: Community ops.
Job: Post "store publish GREEN" only after verify script passes—prevents early hype.
Beginner: Webhook message includes build_id + link to receipt.
Dev: Fail webhook step if store_publish_ok false.

Tool 13 — PowerShell / bash facilitator card

Category: Ritual.
Job: Printable upload-week card stored beside depot upload card.
Beginner: Check boxes in order depot → store → community → keys.
Dev: Same order as P1 dependency chain.

Tool 14 — publish_checklist_v1.json (machine checklist)

Category: Receipt input.
Job: P2 structured items for jq open-count gate.
Beginner: Start from template in this article.
Dev: CI counts status != done—human sheet is view, JSON is latch.

Tool 14 — publish_checklist_v1.json (machine checklist)

Category: Receipt input.
Job: P2 structured items for jq open-count gate.
Beginner: Start from template in this article.
Dev: CI counts status != done—human sheet is view, JSON is latch.

Deep dives — highest-friction tools

Tool 2 expanded — Store publish sequence

1. Open Steamworks → App Admin → Store page.
2. Verify Short description ≤300 chars per locale (CJK export help if over).
3. Confirm About bullets match demo scope FAQ parity.
4. Upload capsule only after trailer thumbnail pass forward #6 or equivalent squint.
5. Click Preview → incognito window → confirm live player view.
6. Mark checklist store-01…store-03 done only after preview matches rc build_label.

Tool 8 expanded — Community publish

1. Draft announcement in plain text git file first—same bullets as store About.
2. Paste into Steam Community → Announcements.
3. Cross-check hub parity checklist row by row.
4. Archive public URL + UTC timestamp on calendar CSV row comm-01.
5. Do not pin Discord until store_publish_ok true—players click through to stale store.

Tool 9 expanded — Review keys after publish

1. Confirm review keys labeling article email template includes build_label.
2. Create batch only after depot + store GREEN.
3. Record batch ID on checklist keys-01; tie to T-90 roster key_batch_id if creators waiting.
4. Never re-send old batch after hotfix upload—new batch row required.

Printable publish-week facilitator card

Store in release-evidence/store/PUBLISH_WEEK_FACILITATOR_CARD.md:

# October upload publish week (depot → store → community → keys)
build_id: __________  steam_build_id: __________  date: __________

DEPOT
[ ] steampipe_upload_ok true (jsonl row exists)
[ ] setlive checks 1–12 or documented skip
STORE
[ ] EN core published + preview incognito
[ ] Locale overrides (list): __________
[ ] Capsule/trailer match rc build
COMMUNITY
[ ] Hub announcement URL: __________
[ ] Event post scope parity
KEYS
[ ] Review batch ID: __________  labeled DEMO
[ ] No keys on wrong branch

Receipt: october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json
verify_october_store_publish_checklist.sh exit 0
BUILD_RECEIPT store_publish_ok = true

Sign: __________  UTC: __________

PowerShell verify cousin

$R = "release-evidence/store/october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json"
jq -e '.store_publish_ok == true' $R
if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "store publish latch failed" }
$open = jq '[.items[] | select(.status != "done")] | length' (jq -r '.checklist_path' $R)
Write-Host "open checklist items:" $open

Tool comparison matrix (working dev)

Integration with forward cluster rows

Selection criteria (why these fourteen)

1. Free at indie budget for workflows described
2. Maps to depot / store / community / keys—no orphan category
3. Evidence-friendly paths under release-evidence/store/
4. Pairs October upload cluster without duplicating metadata diff or depot log intents

Format ladder — October cluster #2

Proof table (sample GREEN publish week)

Scenarios A–G

A — Depot uploaded Monday; store publish Tuesday

Correct order—P1 from jsonl before P2 store items.

B — Marketing published store before depot

P1 fail—rollback store to Coming Soon or fix depot first; do not latch store_publish_ok.

C — Only EN store; locales Coming Soon

Allowed if freeze manifest lists EN only—document in receipt notes; store-02 waived with producer sign-off.

D — Community post early

comm-01 before store-01 fails hub parity—delete or edit announcement.

E — Keys sent Friday before upload

keys-01 fail—revoke batch if policy allows; document in outreach log.

F — Dual-SKU itch + Steam

Run dual-depot dress before store publish; itch link row optional fifth category in checklist v1.1.

G — Capstone october_upload_window_allowed false

P1 cousin fails—do not publish store until localization capstone GREEN or waiver.

Common mistakes

• Treating Steam Save on store page as publish—verify live URL incognito.
• Publishing locales before EN baseline signed.
• Hub announcement promises co-op demo scope store FAQ denies.
• Skipping screenshot archive because "Steamworks still shows it."
• Setting store_publish_ok when only depot row done.
• Using T-90 outreach roster as publish checklist—different receipt schema.

RED / YELLOW / GREEN routing

Key takeaways

1. Upload week bottleneck moved from strings to publish coordination.
2. Four categories: depot, store, community, keys—one build_id.
3. Four-tool minimum: Sheets + Steamworks + jq + BUILD_RECEIPT.
4. Gates P1–P6 on october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json.
5. Latch store_publish_ok only after verify script passes.
6. P1 requires steampipe_upload_ok.
7. Pair 12 setlive checks for depot-02.
8. Pair metadata diff tools for store copy baselines.
9. Forward Resource #58 / Help #61 for tool/fix siblings.
10. Pair Wednesday depot smoke #10 — requires store_publish_allowed from same-week smoke before public publish.
11. Distinct from T-90 outreach C-gates and Wednesday metadata diff G-groups.
12. October upload cluster #2 of #12.

FAQ

Same as metadata export listicle?

No. That owns export/diff apps. This owns upload-week publish checklist + P receipt.

Same as depot upload log #1?

No. Jsonl proves depot bytes. This proves store/community/keys surfaces published.

Must all fourteen tools be installed?

No. Four-tool minimum satisfies P2–P3 for small teams.

Can we publish store before setlive?

Store copy can draft in Steamworks; public publish should follow depot truth per calendar.

How does this pair forward #10?

Wednesday depot smoke #10 diffs BUILD_RECEIPT publish columns against installed smoke and sets store_publish_allowed—run it before treating this checklist as public-publish ready.

Resource 58 / Help 61?

Forward paired resource list + fix lane—format ladder.

Related reads

• Your First SteamPipe Depot Upload Log and BUILD_RECEIPT Before October Upload
• Wednesday Depot Smoke BUILD_RECEIPT Row Review Before Thursday Store Publish — D1–D10 mid-week latch for store_publish_allowed
• 12 Pre-Flight Checks Before steamcmd setlive
• 14 Free Steam Store Metadata Export and Diff Tools
• Friday Localization Freeze Capstone Before October Upload
• Steam Community Hub Announcements Store Metadata Parity
• Steam Review Keys Press Demo Scope Labeling
• Multilingual Capsule Typography Safe-Zone Pass JP KR

Closing

October upload week is when "depot is live" stops being engineering vocabulary and becomes a four-surface publish problem. Wire the four-tool minimum, run the calendar depot → store → community → keys, file october_store_publish_checklist_receipt_v1.json—then BUILD_RECEIPT tells Wednesday depot smoke #10 and forward #12 the same story Steamworks, the hub, and your players see.

Next reads: forward blog #3 upload dress rehearsal challenge, #5 October 2026 Steam Store Last-Minute Metadata Freeze — What Changed for Micro-Studios Trend Playbook, T-90 creator outreach tools for pre-upload press lane.