When publishing without a set date, make publish_at = now()

app/Http/Controllers/ArticleController.php

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class ArticleController extends Controller
 		$article->description = $arr->description ?? explode(".", $arr->content)[0];
 		$article->content = $arr->content;
 		$article->status = $arr->status;
-		$article->publish_at = $arr->publish_at;
+		$article->publish_at = $arr->publish_at ?? ($arr->status == Article::STATUS_PUBLISHED ? now() : null);
 		$article->unpublish_at = $arr->unpublish_at;
 		$article->save();