Loop
Submit → Inbox → review → publish.
That’s the whole core product. Everything else is optional.
Verdict
If the editor’s daily page isn’t Inbox, the product failed — no matter how many Advanced cards exist.
The path
- 1 · Journal Demo import or blank journal. Roles for editor and reviewer appear on activate.
- 2 · Author submit Public page. Drafts. Manuscript on final submit. Double-blind files when Access requires them.
- 3 · Inbox Claim, timers, peer-review assign, decision letters, desk reject.
- 4 · Publish Status to published. Galleys. Issue TOC. Early view if you need it.
Compared to chaos
| Without WJM | With WJM |
|---|---|
| Email threads + shared drives | One Inbox board and paper statuses |
| Authors in wp-admin (or nowhere) | Public submit only |
| Every feature dumped in the sidebar | Calm Basic menu + Advanced hub |
| DOI / Stripe as day-one blockers | Optional until you paste your keys |