diff --git a/swh/deposit/cli/client.py b/swh/deposit/cli/client.py
--- a/swh/deposit/cli/client.py
+++ b/swh/deposit/cli/client.py
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@
                 "Metadata deposit must be provided for metadata "
                 "deposit (either a filepath or --name and --author)")
 
-        if not archive and not metadata:
+        if not archive and not metadata and partial:
             raise InputError(
                 'Please provide an actionable command. See --help for more '
                 'information')
diff --git a/swh/deposit/tests/cli/test_client.py b/swh/deposit/tests/cli/test_client.py
--- a/swh/deposit/tests/cli/test_client.py
+++ b/swh/deposit/tests/cli/test_client.py
@@ -182,6 +182,7 @@
         '--username', TEST_USER['username'],
         '--password', TEST_USER['password'],
         '--metadata', metadata_path,
+        '--partial',
     ])
 
     assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
@@ -192,9 +193,28 @@
 
     mock_client.deposit_create.assert_called_once_with(
         archive=None,
-        collection='softcol', in_progress=False, metadata=metadata_path,
+        collection='softcol', in_progress=True, metadata=metadata_path,
         slug=slug)
 
     # Clear mocking state
     caplog.clear()
     mock_client.reset_mock()
+
+    # https://docs.softwareheritage.org/devel/swh-deposit/getting-started.html#finalize-deposit
+    result = runner.invoke(cli, [
+        'upload',
+        '--url', 'mock://deposit.swh/1',
+        '--username', TEST_USER['username'],
+        '--password', TEST_USER['password'],
+    ])
+
+    assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
+    assert result.output == ''
+    assert caplog.record_tuples == [
+        ('swh.deposit.cli.client', logging.INFO, '{"deposit_id": "42"}'),
+    ]
+
+    mock_client.deposit_create.assert_called_once_with(
+        archive=None,
+        collection='softcol', in_progress=False, metadata=None,
+        slug=slug)