> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.simkl.org/how-to-use-simkl/core-features/watchlists-and-custom-lists/how-to-use-watchlists/the-simkl-watchlist-lifecycle.md).

# The Simkl Watchlist Lifecycle

Whether you are juggling dozens of TV Shows or trying to keep track of weekend movie recommendations, managing a massive list of things you need to keep track of can get complicated. This flowchart breaks down the entire tracking ecosystem how Simkl makes this process simple.

Ever wonder what actually happens when you hit "Plan to Watch"? This flowchart visually maps out the entire Simkl watchlist process, showing you every possible path a TV show or movie can take from discovery to completion.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    %% Discovery
    A1([Browse])
    A2([Recommendations])
    A3([Trending])

    A1 --> A([Discover Something to Watch])
    A2 --> A
    A3 --> A

    %% Planning
    A --> B([Add to Plan to Watch])
    B --> C{Start Watching?}

    %% Direct complete from plan
    B -->|Mark as watched| J([Completed])

    C -->|Not yet| B

    %% Type split
    C -->|TV Show / Anime| D([Watching])
    C -->|Movie| E{Finished Movie?}

    %% Watching flow
    D --> F([Track Progress])
    F --> G{What Happens Next?}

    G -->|Keep watching| F
    G -->|Pause| H([On Hold])
    G -->|Drop| I([Dropped])
    G -->|Finish| J

    %% Direct complete from watching
    D -->|Mark as completed| J

    %% Returns
    H -->|Resume| D
    I -->|Restart| D

    %% Movie flow
    E -->|Yes| J
    E -->|No| I

    %% Styling
    classDef source fill:#111827,stroke:#475569,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#e5e7eb;
    classDef core fill:#0f172a,stroke:#3b82f6,stroke-width:2px,color:#eff6ff;
    classDef decision fill:#111827,stroke:#8b5cf6,stroke-width:2px,color:#f3e8ff;
    classDef pause fill:#111827,stroke:#f59e0b,stroke-width:2px,color:#fffbeb;
    classDef drop fill:#111827,stroke:#ef4444,stroke-width:2px,color:#fef2f2;
    classDef done fill:#111827,stroke:#10b981,stroke-width:2px,color:#ecfdf5;

    class A1,A2,A3 source;
    class A,B,D,F core;
    class C,E,G decision;
    class H pause;
    class I drop;
    class J done;

    linkStyle default stroke:#64748b,stroke-width:1.5px;
```


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