I am sorry but I did the job years ago and I cannot remember a thing about it. I did it on my 2004 car in 2009.
You have been busy on your car parts, my get up and go has got up and gone.
It looks good, how did the colour come out, good or good enough?

 

Those white clips must be on the rocker panels and then the panel is put in place on the car. I have done mine several times. I do not see how it is possible to attach the clips to the car and then get them to attach to the rocker panel. If you remove a white clip from the rocker panel you will see the angle at which it most easily attaches/clips into place on the rocker panel. How could you do that if the clip was inserted into the hole on the car and then place the rocker panel in such a way as to get the clip to seat on the rocker panel? The hardest part getting everything lined up is to first get the front part of the rocker panel in it's proper place in front of the door and the rocker up and into a position to get the white clips into their holes on the car frame. The clips should slide about 1/4" fore and aft, so be sure they are close to the spot in which they will engage the hole in the car frame. Get the front of the panel into it's proper place forward of the door, then force it up into the area under the door and setting on the frame were it will be in position to mate with the frame. That's the hard part. Work your way to the rear snapping the white clips into their respective holes.

 

Wow
that was really thorough. Thank you

I’ll have to review it a few more times before I install them mid week
(I discovered today that the paint is still soft and really needs a few more days

will let you know how it goes

 

You were correct. I followed your steps. Thank you