---
url: /guides/create-and-edit-tasks.md
description: >-
  Add a task, fill in its fields, change it from its row with quick actions, and
  duplicate, move or delete it from the task menu.
---

# Create and edit tasks

Add a task whenever something needs doing, and fill in the rest
([Task fields](/reference/task-fields)) when you get to it, for example when you
[sort your Inbox list](/guides/run-a-gtd-session). Only the title and the list are required.
Change fields in place in the open task or with [quick actions on its row](#quick-actions-on-a-task-row),
and use the [task menu](#task-menu-duplicate-move-delete) for everything else.

## Before you start

You need a [list](/concepts/hule-model) to put the task in. If you have none, [create a
list](/guides/organize-folders-and-lists#create-a-list) first.

::: warning You must be able to create tasks
In a shared list, you need [**Edit** access](/concepts/sharing) to the list and a
[permission set](/reference/permissions-and-access) that allows creating tasks.
:::

## Create a task

1. Click **+** (**Create**) at the top of the sidebar and choose **New task**.
   The **New Task** form opens.

   ![The Create menu at the top of the sidebar, open on New task, New list and New view](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-1.light.webp){.light-only}
   ![The Create menu at the top of the sidebar, open on New task, New list and New view](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-1.dark.webp){.dark-only}

   ::: tip Cmd+N in the desktop app, Cmd+M in a browser
   In the [desktop app](/guides/install-the-desktop-app), press `Cmd+N` (`Ctrl+N` on Windows
   and Linux). In a browser `Cmd+N` opens a new browser window, so there the key is `Cmd+M`
   (`Ctrl+M`). On an open task, the same key adds a [subtask](/guides/break-down-with-subtasks)
   instead.
   :::

2. Type the **Title**.
   **Create** becomes available once a list is picked too.

3. Check **List** and pick another list if needed. It starts on the list you are in, or on your
   Inbox list, depending on the [**New task** setting](/guides/capture-to-inbox#inbox-list-setting).
   The **Attributes** below change to the fields that list
   [has turned on](/guides/set-up-a-list#turn-features-on-or-off).

   ![The New Task form with the title Draft the Q4 budget and List set to Admin, above the Create and Create & new buttons](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-2.light.webp){.light-only}
   ![The New Task form with the title Draft the Q4 budget and List set to Admin, above the Create and Create & new buttons](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-2.dark.webp){.dark-only}

   ::: warning The list isn't in the picker?
   The picker offers only lists you can create tasks in. To add tasks elsewhere, you need access
   to that list, see [Permissions and access](/reference/permissions-and-access).
   :::

4. Optionally, fill in **Description** and **Attributes**. In **Description**, type `/` for
   blocks, see [Write a task description](/guides/write-a-task-description).

5. Click **Create**, or **Create & new** to add another one straight away.
   A message confirms **Task "Draft the Q4 budget" created**.

**New task** in a view's header opens the same form. It is there in these
[view types](/concepts/views):

* **List**;
* **Kanban**;
* **Table**;
* **Timeline**;
* **Calendar**;
* **GTD**, outside a session: the **+** button.

In a view that shows one list, **List** starts on that list.

In a [List view](/concepts/views) you can also add a task in place, while the view's
**List settings** → **Creation** → **Quick task creation** is on (it is by default):

* if the view is not grouped, type into **Add a task, press Enter** above the tasks;
* if it is grouped, click **Add task** at the bottom of a group.

A view with no tasks yet shows a **New task** button instead: it opens the **New Task** form on
that view's list.

## Edit an open task

1. Click a task in any view.
   The task opens in a large window over the page you were on.

   ![The task window of the new task Draft the Q4 budget, with Status, Assignee, Date, Priority and Tags still empty and an empty description](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-3.light.webp){.light-only}
   ![The task window of the new task Draft the Q4 budget, with Status, Assignee, Date, Priority and Tags still empty and an empty description](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-3.dark.webp){.dark-only}

2. Click a field to change it, or press its [key](/reference/keyboard-shortcuts):

   | Field | Key | Values |
   |---|---|---|
   | **Status** | `S` | the [statuses](/concepts/statuses) of the task's list |
   | **Assignee** | `A` | the workspace's members and people the list is shared with ([Assign and watch tasks](/guides/assign-and-watch-tasks)) |
   | **Date** | `D` | the start and due dates, in one panel, and a **Time** if you need one ([Plan on the timeline and the calendar](/guides/plan-on-timeline-and-calendar)) |
   | **Priority** | `P` | **None**, **Low**, **Normal**, **High**, **Urgent** |
   | **Tags** | `T` | the tags the list offers ([Tag tasks](/guides/tag-tasks)) |

   [**Time tracking**](/guides/track-time) has no key: click it.
   The new value shows at once; there is nothing to save.

   ::: warning A field is missing?
   Which fields a task shows depends on its list. A missing field is turned off in the list's
   features: [turn it on](/guides/set-up-a-list#turn-features-on-or-off) in **Configure** →
   **Features** (you need **Edit** access to the list and a
   [permission set](/reference/permissions-and-access) that allows changing lists, such as
   **List/Folder manager** or **Admin** — **Worker** does not).
   :::

3. Click the description, or press `E`, and write. Three characters open a menu under the
   cursor:
   * `/` adds a block, such as **Checklist** or **Table**
     ([Write a task description](/guides/write-a-task-description));
   * `@` mentions a person ([Comment and mention people](/guides/comment-and-mention));
   * `#` mentions another task and links the two ([Link related tasks](/guides/link-related-tasks)).

4. Close the window, or press `Esc`.
   You are back on the page underneath.

## Quick actions on a task row

Change a task without opening it: with the buttons on its row, the fields on the row, or a
modifier key held while you click it.

### Row buttons and fields

Hover a task's row in a List or Table [view](/concepts/views). Buttons appear at the end of the
row:

| Button | What it does | More |
|---|---|---|
| **+** (**Add subtask**) | adds a task under this one; shown while the view shows subtasks and you can create tasks | [Break a task down](/guides/break-down-with-subtasks) |
| Pencil (**Rename**) | edits the title in place | |
| **…** (**More actions**) | opens the task menu | [Task menu](#task-menu-duplicate-move-delete) |

In a List view, click a field on the row to open its picker there. From the start these fields
can be changed on the row:

* **Status**;
* **Priority**;
* **Assignee**;
* **Due date**;
* **Tags**.

Each field's **Show** and **Editable** switches in the view's **List settings** choose which
fields the row shows and which of them you can change there.

### Quick close: complete in one click

Add a **Quick close** mark to the rows of a List view:

1. Open the view's **List settings**.
2. Under **Before title**, switch on **Show** for **Quick close**.
   A mark appears in front of each task's status. **Quick close style** picks an **Icon** or a
   **Checkbox**.
3. Click the mark.
   The task moves to a status in the **Done** [stage](/concepts/statuses). Click the mark again
   to reopen the task.

### Click shortcuts and the undo toast

Hold a key while you click a task to change it without opening it: an action click. For
example, to complete tasks with `Shift`+click:

1. Open [**User settings**](/guides/manage-your-account) → **Hot keys** → **Views** and switch on
   **Complete task**.
2. `Shift`+click a task in a List view.
   The task moves to a status in the **Done** stage, and a toast offers **Cancel** for 5
   seconds.

::: warning Action clicks need Edit access
Action clicks need **Edit** access to the list; **Delete task** also needs a
[permission set](/reference/permissions-and-access) that allows deleting tasks.
:::

An action click shows a toast, such as **Task "Draft the Q4 budget" marked as done**, with
**Cancel** for 5 seconds. Click **Cancel** or press `Esc` to undo the change. The countdown stops
while the pointer is on the toast.

::: danger Delete task deletes when the toast closes
After the 5 seconds the task and its subtasks are gone for good; **Cancel** no longer helps.
:::

Every click shortcut, its keys and the views it works in:
[Click shortcuts in views](/reference/keyboard-shortcuts#click-shortcuts-in-views).

## Task menu: duplicate, move, delete

Right-click a task in a view, or open its **More actions** (**…**) menu. Items you have no access
for are hidden.

| Menu item | What it does | More |
|---|---|---|
| **Open** | opens the task window | |
| **Add subtask** | adds a task under this one; needs permission to create tasks | [Break a task down](/guides/break-down-with-subtasks) |
| **Rename** | edits the title in place; in List and Table views | |
| **Mark complete** / **Reopen** | moves the task to a status in the **Done** stage, or back to the status new tasks start in | [Statuses](/concepts/statuses) |
| **Next: …** | moves the task to the next status, named in the item | [Statuses](/concepts/statuses) |
| **Status** | picks any status of the list | |
| **Priority** | picks **None**, **Low**, **Normal**, **High** or **Urgent** | |
| **Set start date**, **Set due date** | picks **Today**, **Tomorrow**, **This weekend** or **Next week**, or **Clear** | [Plan on the timeline](/guides/plan-on-timeline-and-calendar) |
| **Clear schedule** | clears both dates; in Timeline and Calendar views, on a task with a date | [Plan on the timeline](/guides/plan-on-timeline-and-calendar) |
| **Select** | selects the task for a change to many at once; in List, Table, Kanban and Timeline views | [Edit tasks in bulk](/guides/edit-tasks-in-bulk) |
| **Duplicate** | adds a copy named **Draft the Q4 budget (copy)** at the top of the same list (a subtask's copy goes last under the same parent), with its description, status, priority, dates, tags and assignee, but without its subtasks | |
| **Move…** | moves the task to another list, or under another task | [Move a task](#move-a-task) |
| **Watch** / **Stop watching** | turns notifications about the task's changes on or off for you | [Assign and watch tasks](/guides/assign-and-watch-tasks) |
| **Copy link** | copies the task's link | |
| **Copy ID** | copies the task's internal ID, which the API and the AI agent connection use | [Connect an AI agent](/guides/connect-an-ai-agent) |
| **Delete** | deletes the task and its subtasks, after you confirm | |

::: danger Deleting a task can't be undone
**Delete** removes the task and all its subtasks for good. There is no trash to restore them from.
:::

### Move a task

1. In the task menu, choose **Move…**.
   The **Move task** dialog opens.
2. Pick a **Target list**, and a **Parent task** if the task should go under another task.
   If the dialog says the current status isn't available, pick a **Status**.
3. Click **Move**.
   The task, with its subtasks, is in its new place.

## Filled-in task example

"Draft the Q4 budget" after you sort it, in the **Admin** list:

* **Status**: In Progress;
* **Date**: due Friday;
* **Priority**: High;
* **Tags**: **finance**;
* **Description**: a checklist of three steps.

![The task window of Draft the Q4 budget in Work › Admin: status In Progress, due Friday, priority High, tag finance and a three-step checklist in the description](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-4.light.webp){.light-only}
![The task window of Draft the Q4 budget in Work › Admin: status In Progress, due Friday, priority High, tag finance and a three-step checklist in the description](/shots/guides/create-and-edit-tasks-4.dark.webp){.dark-only}

## If it doesn't work

* **Create is greyed out.** Type a title and pick a list in **List**. If the list you want is not
  offered, you can't create tasks in it: ask a workspace admin for access, see
  [Permissions and access](/reference/permissions-and-access).
* **New task is greyed out in the + menu.** You have no list you can create tasks in.
  [Create a list](/guides/organize-folders-and-lists#create-a-list) first, or ask for
  [access](/reference/permissions-and-access).
* **Cmd+N opens a new browser window.** In a browser the key belongs to the browser. Press
  `Cmd+M` (`Ctrl+M` on Windows and Linux) instead, or use **+** → **New task**. To pick another
  key, see [Changing a shortcut](/reference/keyboard-shortcuts#changing-a-shortcut).
* **A field such as Priority or Time tracking is missing.** The list has that feature turned off.
  [Turn it on](/guides/set-up-a-list#turn-features-on-or-off) in **Configure** → **Features**; that
  needs a [permission set](/reference/permissions-and-access) that allows changing lists.
* **You deleted a task by mistake.** Deleting is permanent and removes its subtasks too. Create it
  again.

## Related

* [The Hule model](/concepts/hule-model): why every task lives in exactly one list.
* [Task fields](/reference/task-fields): every field and what it holds.
* [Task descriptions](/guides/write-a-task-description): blocks, mentions and files.
* [Subtasks](/guides/break-down-with-subtasks): split a large task into steps.
* [Recurring tasks](/guides/set-up-recurring-tasks): make a task repeat.
* [List setup](/guides/set-up-a-list): choose the fields and features a list uses.
* [Keyboard shortcuts](/reference/keyboard-shortcuts): every key in one table.