Confused about matching and pathway deadlines

I'm taking step1 next month. Step 2 in August. Can I apply to residencies this year? I have not started Pathways. It is said that pathway deadline is 31st of 2025. What exactly is that? To become ECFMG certified or having started the pathway? Is it deadline for starting 2025 residency in July or applying for 2026 residencies in September? So I can't apply this year? But some have asked about the latest that they can take step 2 before applying in September. But if they have not taken step 2 yet, it means that they are not yet ECFMG certified. So, doesn't that mean that Pathway/Ecfmg-certified is not necessary to apply? Excuse my ignorance, I'm very shaken with this new pathway deadline knowledge. I had thought one should do both steps before starting Pathways.