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Applying Checklists to Tasks and Issues

Checklists are step-by-step lists attached directly to a task or issue. They help your team track progress through a defined process — like a "Definition of Done" checklist or a deployment runbook. You can apply a saved template or create a custom checklist from scratch.

Adding a checklist to a task or issue​

Apply a template​

  1. Open the task or issue.
  2. Scroll to the Checklists section.
  3. Click Add Checklist → From Template.
  4. Select a template from the list.
  5. Click Apply.

The template items appear as unchecked checkboxes on the task.

Create a custom checklist​

  1. Open the task or issue.
  2. In the Checklists section, click Add Checklist → Create New.
  3. Enter a checklist name (e.g., "Launch checklist").
  4. Click Add Item and type each step.
  5. Click Save.
Mix and match

You can apply multiple checklists to a single task or issue — for example, a "Code Review" checklist and a "Definition of Done" checklist can both live on the same task.

Checking off items​

  1. Open the task or issue.
  2. In the Checklists section, find your checklist.
  3. Click the checkbox next to each item as you complete it.
  4. Checked items show with a strikethrough text and a green checkmark.

Progress is tracked automatically:

Code Review Checklist:  3 / 5 done  ████░░  60%

Editing checklist items​

After a checklist is applied, you can customize it for this specific task:

Rename an item:

  1. Click the item text.
  2. Edit it directly.
  3. Press Enter to save.

Add an item:

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the checklist.
  2. Click + Add item.
  3. Type the new item.
  4. Press Enter.

Delete an item:

  1. Hover over the item.
  2. Click the × button on the right.

Reorder items:

  1. Hover over an item to reveal the drag handle (⋮⋮).
  2. Drag to reorder.

Checklist progress on task cards​

On the Kanban board, task cards show a checklist progress indicator (e.g., 3/5) when a task has checklists with unchecked items. This lets your team see at a glance how much of the defined process is complete without opening the task.

Blocking task completion​

Optionally, you can configure a checklist to block task completion until all items are checked.

  1. Open the checklist (click the checklist name to expand settings).
  2. Enable Require all items before Done.

With this setting on, if you try to move the task to Done while items remain unchecked, you will see a warning. You can override it, or go back and finish the checklist first.

Removing a checklist​

  1. Open the task or issue.
  2. In the Checklists section, click the Actions menu (three dots) next to the checklist name.
  3. Click Remove Checklist.
  4. Confirm.

Removing a checklist from a task does not delete the original template.

Checklists vs subtasks​

Both checklists and subtasks break down work into smaller pieces. Here is a quick guide on which to use:

Use checklists when...Use subtasks when...
Steps are sequential and owned by one personSteps may be assigned to different people
You want a simple tick-off processYou need individual status tracking per step
Process is standardized (use a template)Steps need their own time logs or comments
No need to report on individual stepsYou need visibility into sub-item progress on the board