import type { CollectionBeforeChangeHook } from 'payload';
/**
 * Sets `publishedAt` to now the first time a document transitions to published,
 * if it isn't already set. Saves editors from filling the date manually and
 * keeps blog/article dates accurate for Article JSON-LD and sitemaps.
 *
 * Attach to collections with drafts enabled (blog, articles):
 *   hooks: { beforeChange: [setPublishedAtHook] }
 *
 * Only sets on the published transition; never overwrites an existing date
 * (an editor can still backdate manually).
 */
export declare const setPublishedAtHook: CollectionBeforeChangeHook;