# Uploading and TTML Rules

These rules define what Spicy Lyrics accepts for TTML uploads. They are the shared standard for makers and reviewers; personal preference alone is not a reason to reject a submission.

For instructions, use the [TTML Guide](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml). For lyric writing conventions, use the [Transcription Guide](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/transcription). For syllable timing standards, use the [Splitting Guidelines](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/splitting/doc/splitting-guidelines-IyXtGi4ta6).

## Rule levels

| Level | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| **Required** | Must be satisfied before a TTML can be approved. |
| **Recommended** | Improves quality, but cannot block approval by itself. |
| **Discouraged** | Allowed, but makers should avoid it. |
| **Forbidden** | Cannot be approved. |

## Which submission process applies to you?

| Your access | Process |
|-------------|---------|
| You do not yet have `TTML Maker` | Submit one finished TTML through [Submit Your First TTML](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/submit-your-first-ttml-sX53doCeNh). You are not expected to access or search `#ttml-uploads`. |
| You have `TTML Maker` | Follow the separate [**Welcome, TTML Maker**](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/welcome-ttml-maker-YfBvAkFWDG) page, including the `#ttml-uploads` checks available to you. |
| You have direct-upload permission | Follow the same universal rules. For your own direct uploads, start with [**Welcome, TTML Self-Uploader**](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/welcome-ttml-self-uploader-qBEzTbTnkN); Reviewers must also follow the staff procedure. |

The transcription, timing, metadata, compatibility, testing, variant, credit, and ownership rules below apply regardless of submission route.

## First-time application deadlines

For a first-time application ticket:

* The applicant must produce an upload-ready TTML within one week after a Mod or Reviewer joins the ticket. Missing this deadline closes the ticket and grants access to `#ttml-help`.
* The applicant must provide a corrected file within three days after a Reviewer or higher identifies issues. Missing this deadline closes the ticket without granting access to `#ttml-help`.
* The three-day deadline does not restart or extend the one-week deadline.
* The applicant may open another ticket immediately after either closure.

These deadlines do not automatically apply to ordinary submissions from established Makers.

## The recording is authoritative

**Required**

* Transcribe what is actually sung or spoken in the exact recording.
* Check copied lyrics against the audio. Lyrics may come from Genius, Spotify, official booklets, or anywhere else, but even artist-verified lyrics can be wrong.
* Include intelligible sung and spoken content, including ad-libs, background vocals, dialogue samples, producer tags, radio clips, and crowd chants where they can be understood.
* Use the original language and native writing system for the main lyrics.

**Forbidden**

* Unfinished lyrics, guessed filler, `[?]`, or any other placeholder.
* Text that is not heard in the recording, including `[Instrumental]`, section headings, stage directions such as `[breathes]`, and manually written ellipses for instrumental gaps.
* A Latin-script Romanization in place of the original lyrics.

Spicy Lyrics creates its interlude display automatically. Do not add unsung text to imitate it.

## Writing and formatting

Follow the [Transcription Guide](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/transcription) for spelling, capitalization, grammar, punctuation, slang, pronunciation, numbers, vocalizations, and cut-offs. Conventional capitalization and grammar take priority over artist-specific visual styling, but the words must still reflect how they are pronounced.

**Required**

* Write all repeated lyrics in full at every occurrence.
* Keep a continuously held word in its normal spelling. Represent its duration through timing, not repeated letters: write `so`, not `sooooooo`.
* Use hyphens for distinctly repeated syllables or rapid repetition of one word or part of a word: `so-o-o`, `I-I got`, `g-g-gone`, or `get-get`.
* Use commas for repeated words with an audible pause: `I, I got` or `get, get`.
* Write repeated multiword phrases separately. Use a comma for a pause or restart and an em dash for an abrupt interruption: `You get, you get` or `You get— you get`.

**Forbidden**

* Joining a repeated multiword phrase with a hyphen, such as `You get-you get`.
* Adding letters merely to depict a held note.

### Censored recordings

**Required**

* Do not censor language that remains audible.
* Write `****` when a word is replaced by a censor beep or recognizable censor sound. Always use exactly four asterisks.
* Write an em dash (`—`) when the censored word is cut out or muted.
* Write the audible replacement word when a clean version substitutes different wording.

## Timing

A complete TTML may use either line timing or word-by-word timing. Line-synced submissions are valid regardless of the maker's skill level and must never be rejected merely for not using word timing.

**Required**

* Use one supported timing mode throughout the song. Spicy Lyrics does not support mixing line-synced and word-by-word lines in one TTML.
* Start each line or word when its audible vocal begins and end it when the audible vocal ends. Do not add artificial lead-in time or shorten a lyric to make the display transition sooner.
* Include held vowels and sustained syllables in the word's duration.
* When consecutive words share an audible boundary, the previous word's end and the next word's start should share a timestamp. Do not create arbitrary gaps by setting every boundary separately.
* Preserve genuine audible pauses and overlaps.
* Time every repeated section. Copying timings in an editor is just a shortcut; the exported TTML still has to contain every occurrence.
* Check the timing throughout the exact recording before submitting. If every timestamp—or a selected section—is consistently early or late by the same amount, correct the offset with Time Shift. If the timing error varies throughout the song, do not apply one global shift; retime the affected lines or words instead.
* Independently check timing copied or imported from an existing TTML, including Apple Music TTML. An existing sync is a starting point, not proof that its timing is accurate.

For word-by-word TTML, whole-word and syllable-level timing are both allowed. A maker may split every suitable word or only selected words. Adjacent syllable spans should render as the normal joined word; visible hyphens belong only where the transcription itself requires them.

Read [4. Sync the lyrics](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/4-sync-the-lyrics-MJsQ3M0dIS) for the main timing workflow, [Basics Of Splitting](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/splitting/doc/basics-of-splitting-ULtyX3rrzK) for the splitting controls, and the [Splitting Guidelines](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/splitting/doc/splitting-guidelines-IyXtGi4ta6) for the accepted standards.

### Line breaks

**Required**

* Prefer pauses, breaths, clause boundaries, and clear melodic divisions.
* Keep a line readable on screen and split an unusually long phrase at a natural point.

A reasonable alternative line break is not an error merely because a reviewer would have chosen differently. A change is required when a line is clearly unreadable, mistimed as a unit, or divided in a way that harms comprehension.

## Main, background, and duet vocals

**Required**

* Make a reasonable effort to transcribe and sync audible ad-libs and background vocals.
* Mark a simultaneous supporting vocal as a background vocal rather than creating competing main lines.
* Background-vocal text must not contain parentheses; Spicy Lyrics already renders it as a background vocal.
* Follow the background-line structure supported by Spicy Lyrics, documented in [3. Check the lyrics](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/3-check-the-lyrics-ZHDMonddCz).
* For duet lyrics, make a reasonable effort to identify the singers and keep the same singer on the same side throughout.

A background-style vocal may instead be written as a main line when no suitable main line is present or the gap from the nearby main line is so large that it would naturally feel like a three-dot interlude. This is a visual judgment; Spicy Lyrics does not literally show the three dots between a main and background line.

There is no fixed limit on the number of simultaneous background vocals, but the final result must remain readable.

## Romanization and translation

**Recommended**

* Add maker-supplied, human-verified Romanization when Spicy Lyrics supports the song's language.

**Required**

* Check automatic Romanization before submission.
* Fix inaccurate Romanization when it is included.

**Forbidden**

* Romanization for languages that Spicy Lyrics does not support.
* Translation layers, which Spicy Lyrics does not support.

## Automation and AI

**Forbidden**

* AI-generated lyric transcription.
* AI-generated lyric timing.

**Allowed**

* Automation built into the official TTML Tool or a compatible fork, provided the maker checks and corrects the result.
* AI audio separation used as a listening aid. It can make words, boundaries, and background vocals easier to hear.

The original recording remains authoritative. Automated output is never a defense for an error.

## File compatibility and testing

Makers may use the official TTML Tool, a compatible fork, another lyric editor, or hand-written TTML.

**Required**

* The file must use a Spicy Lyrics-compatible TTML structure, load successfully, parse without breaking, and render correctly.
* Remove empty lyric lines; they prevent files from loading.
* TTML produced by unrelated tools such as Composer or Aegisub must pass through the official TTML Tool or a working compatible fork before submission for compatibility and normalization.
* Test the finished file in Spicy Lyrics against the exact streamed song variant linked in the submission. A local copy may be used while working, but it is not sufficient for final verification.
* After every upload, clear the Spicy Lyrics cache before opening the song to verify the uploaded result.
* Confirm that every line appears and that the timing, vocal roles, layout, and formatting work in the real Spicy Lyrics render.

A complete start-to-finish playback is **Recommended**. Reviewers judge the submitted result rather than trying to prove which private checking routine the maker followed.

## Song variants and submission information

**Required**

* For a reviewed submission, send the exact song link(s) alongside the TTML in its Discord message. For a direct upload, confirm that the TTML is associated with the correct Spotify target ID or IDs accepted by the upload command.
* Add the songwriters through the TTML Tool's songwriter metadata. Follow [5. Add the songwriters](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/5-add-the-songwriters-cP7OWZhyKd).
* Create separate TTML files for versions with different audio, lyrics, censorship, offsets, intros, edits, or timing.
* Send each distinct version as its own message in the submission post with its exact link.

One TTML may cover multiple song links only when the recordings, lyrics, and timing are genuinely identical. Related versions may share one forum post, but clean and explicit versions with different audible content require separate files.

For submission instructions, use [Submit Your First TTML](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/submit-your-first-ttml-sX53doCeNh) if you do not yet have the role, or [Welcome, TTML Maker](https://guides.spicylyrics.org/s/ttml/doc/welcome-ttml-maker-YfBvAkFWDG) for later submissions.

## Unreleased songs

**Forbidden**

* Creating a TTML ticket or `#ttml-uploads` forum post before the song is released.
* Posting early to reserve an unreleased song.

A song becomes eligible once it is available on Spotify and playable in at least one timezone. Any ticket or post created before that point will be deleted.

After the song becomes eligible, the first person to create a valid thread has priority. Reviewers must work with that maker to bring the TTML up to the rules and upload it; a later submission cannot take priority merely because someone considers it better. This release-day rule is a specific exception to the normal handling of duplicate submissions.

## Existing lyrics and duplicate submissions

A `#ttml-uploads` search is not a complete duplicate check. `TTML Self-Uploader` and higher roles can upload without posting there, and an existing sync may come from Apple Music or another catalog source.

**Required for Makers with forum access**

* Search `#ttml-uploads` for an existing submission or someone actively working on the song.
* Open the exact target song in Spicy Lyrics and check whether it already has synced lyrics.
* Check relevant alternate releases when the same recording may appear on a single, album, deluxe edition, compilation, clean release, or other version.

First-time applicants may not have access to the forum and are not responsible for that search. Staff handle duplicate checks through the application ticket.

An existing sync does not forbid a replacement. A replacement is legitimate when it materially improves inaccurate or missing lyrics, timing, censorship, vocal roles, readability, metadata, compatibility, or support for the exact recording. An Apple-sourced sync is judged by the same quality standard as any other sync; its source neither protects a bad result nor justifies replacing a good one.

Genuinely different recordings—including versions with different audio, lyrics, censorship, offsets, intros, edits, or timing—should use their own TTML as described under **Song variants and submission information**.

**Recommended**

* Use [SpotMatch](https://github.com/TheX24/SpotMatch/) to look for alternate Spotify IDs when the same recording may appear across multiple releases. Treat its matches as candidates: verify the audio, lyrics, and timing before associating one TTML with multiple song links.
* Compare the existing sync with the recording before deciding whether a replacement is actually useful.
* Makers who collaborate should agree in advance who will receive the single maker credit currently supported by Spicy Lyrics.

**Forbidden**

* Recreating or re-uploading an already accurate, well-timed sync solely to gain visibility, views, or maker credit.
* Submitting a near-duplicate that offers no material improvement for listeners.
* Deliberately racing someone who has announced that they are actively working on a song.
* Intentionally bypassing existing work without checking both the forum and the live song.

An announcement is a courtesy signal, not an exclusive reservation. Accidental duplicate work is not misconduct. A pending submission also does not reserve a song forever; another complete, compliant version may be approved.

## Corrections, ownership, and credit

When an active maker's existing TTML needs correction, contact them first. They may fix it or permit someone else to do so. The original maker keeps the maker credit unless they explicitly permit it to be replaced.

When required corrections are posted in a maker's `#ttml-uploads` thread, the maker has \~3 weeks to respond or provide an updated TTML. If neither happens within those \~3 weeks, another maker may take over the submission and receive the maker credit for completing the work.

If the maker is otherwise inactive or unreachable, another maker may correct or replace the TTML and receive the maker credit. Spicy Lyrics currently supports one maker credit and, when another person performs the upload, one separate uploader field; the uploader field is not shared authorship.

**Forbidden**

* Submitting another person's completed synchronization—or a substantially copied version—as your own without permission.

Copying lyric text from a source is allowed after checking it against the recording. Copying another maker's synchronization and claiming its work is not. Confirmed TTML theft results in removal from the community.