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Subtasks and dependencies
Subtasks break a task into smaller steps, each with its own assignee, due date, and status. Dependencies control the order tasks must be completed in. Together they let you model complex work without cluttering your task board.
Adding subtasks
- Open a task by clicking it.
- Switch to the Subtasks tab.
- Click Add subtask and enter a title.
- Set any fields you need. Subtasks have the same fields as regular tasks: assignee, due date, description, custom fields, and more.
Subtasks can have their own subtasks, with no limit on nesting depth. Each subtask can be assigned to a different person and given its own due date.
Viewing and managing subtasks
Subtasks appear in the Subtasks tab of the parent task. You can reorder them by dragging. Each subtask can be expanded inline to see a quick summary (status, assignee, due date) or opened as a full task with its own description, comments, attachments, timesheet, and activities.
The parent task shows a progress indicator based on how many subtasks are complete. This progress bar appears on task cards, in Table and List views, and on the task detail page.
Subtask dependencies
By default, a parent task can't be marked complete until all its subtasks are done. When you try to complete a parent task that has incomplete subtasks, you'll be asked whether to complete all subtasks first.
To turn this off, open the parent task, switch to the Subtasks tab, and toggle off the dependency setting. With it off, you can complete the parent task regardless of subtask status.
Task-to-task dependencies
Beyond subtask dependencies, you can link any task to other tasks it depends on. A dependent task can't be completed until all the tasks it's linked to are done.
- Open a task.
- In the task details, find the Dependencies field.
- Search for and select the tasks this one depends on.
When you try to complete a task with incomplete dependencies, you'll see a confirmation explaining which tasks are still blocking it.
Combined dependencies
A task can have both subtask dependencies and task-to-task dependencies at the same time. If it does, both must be satisfied before the task can be completed: all subtasks must be done, and all linked tasks must be done.
