> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://opensleigh.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://opensleigh.gitbook.io/docs/how-to/publishing-messages.md).

# Publishing messages

A message can be published by calling the `Publish()` method directly on the Saga instance:

```csharp
public class MyAwesomeSaga :
    Saga,
    IStartedBy<StartMyAwesomeSaga>
{
    public async ValueTask HandleAsync(IMessageContext<StartMyAwesomeSaga> context, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
    {
        var message = new MyAwesomeSagaCompleted(Guid.NewGuid(), context.Message.CorrelationId);
        this.Publish(message);
    }
}
```

OpenSleigh uses the [Outbox pattern](https://www.davidguida.net/improving-microservices-reliability-part-2-outbox-pattern/) to ensure messages are properly published and the Saga State is persisted.

### Publish-only applications

An application can be also configured as *"publish-only"*: it will only take care of dispatching new messages but won't be able to consume any. Useful when creating a Web API that offloads the actual execution to a separate worker service.

```csharp
services.AddOpenSleigh(cfg =>
{
    // code omitted
    cfg.SetPublishOnly();
});
```


---

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