---
url: /guides/link-related-tasks.md
description: >-
  Link tasks as dependencies (blocks / is blocked by) or as related work, and
  see the relations on a graph.
---

# Link related tasks

Link two tasks with a [relation](/concepts/relations) when one depends on the other (a dependency)
or they belong together. The tasks can be in different [lists](/concepts/hierarchy) in the same
[workspace](/concepts/hule-model). For example:

* "Paint the walls" blocks "Lay the floor";
* "Book the venue" relates to "Send the invitations";
* a new bug report duplicates an older one.

Each relation shows on both tasks, and a
[**Relations** view](/reference/views-compared) draws them as a graph.

You need [**Relations** turned on](/guides/set-up-a-list#turn-features-on-or-off) in the list, and
[**Edit** access](/guides/share-a-folder-or-list) to one of the two tasks' lists.

## Link two tasks

In the steps below, three relations plan a room renovation:

| Task | Relation | Linked task |
|---|---|---|
| Buy paint | **Blocks** | Paint the walls |
| Paint the walls | **Blocks** | Lay the floor |
| Paint the walls | **Relates to** | Choose the curtains |

1. Open the task.
   The **Relations** section is under [**Sub-tasks**](/guides/break-down-with-subtasks), or under
   the description if the list has **Subtasks** turned off. If the task has no relations yet, it
   holds only **Add relation**.

   ::: warning No Relations section?
   Turn on **Relations** in the list's **…** menu → **Configure** → **Features**. If it is already
   on, your permission set may lack **Read** in **Relations**; ask a workspace admin. See
   [Permissions and access](/reference/permissions-and-access).
   :::
2. Click **Add relation**.
   A field opens with **Search relation…**.

   ::: warning No Add relation?
   You need [**Edit** access](/guides/share-a-folder-or-list) to this task's list and **Create**
   in **Relations**. If you can edit the other task's list, open that task instead. If your
   permission set lacks **Create** in **Relations**, ask a workspace admin.
   :::
3. Pick the relation type, for example **Blocks**. You can also pick the reverse, such as **Is
   blocked by**, from the task that waits.
   The field changes to **Search tasks…**.

   ![The Relations section of Paint the walls, which blocks Lay the floor, while a second relation is added: the relation field and its list of types, Relates to among them](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-1.light.webp){.light-only}
   ![The Relations section of Paint the walls, which blocks Lay the floor, while a second relation is added: the relation field and its list of types, Relates to among them](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-1.dark.webp){.dark-only}
4. Pick one of the tasks you opened recently, shown before you type, or type part of the task's
   title and pick it. If the task doesn't exist yet,
   [create it as you link](#create-the-other-task-as-you-link). If the task isn't listed, see
   [Troubleshoot relations and views](#troubleshoot-relations-and-views).
   The relation appears in the section, and the other task shows the reverse, such as **Is
   blocked by**. The field is ready for the next relation.

With all three linked, "Paint the walls" shows each relation in its own group:

![The Relations section of Paint the walls in three groups: Is blocked by Buy paint, Blocks Lay the floor, Relates to Choose the curtains](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-3.light.webp){.light-only}
![The Relations section of Paint the walls in three groups: Is blocked by Buy paint, Blocks Lay the floor, Relates to Choose the curtains](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-3.dark.webp){.dark-only}

A relation [records an order](/concepts/relations#relations-record-they-do-not-enforce); it does
not stop anyone from starting **Lay the floor**.

### Create the other task as you link

If the other task doesn't exist yet, create it from the same field after step 3 above:

1. Type its title, for example **Buy primer**, and pick **Create "Buy primer"**, the last row under the field. You can
   also reach it with the arrow keys and press Enter.
   The title moves into a chip of its own and the field changes to **Search list…**, with this
   task's list first if you can create tasks in it.

   ![The Relations section with Blocks and Buy primer selected, and Flat first in the list picker](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-5.light.webp){.light-only}
   ![The Relations section with Blocks and Buy primer selected, and Flat first in the list picker](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-5.dark.webp){.dark-only}

   ::: warning No Create row?
   You need **Create** in the **Tasks** block and [**Edit** access](/guides/share-a-folder-or-list)
   to at least one list of the task's workspace. The list step offers only those lists. See
   [Permissions and access](/reference/permissions-and-access).
   :::
2. Press Enter to create the task in the list at the top, or type part of another list's name and pick it.
   Hule creates the task and links it, and the field is ready for the next relation.

::: tip Changed your mind about the title?
Press Backspace in the empty **Search list…** field: the title goes back into the field.
:::

## Relation types

For the renovation example, use **Blocks** when one task must finish before another and
**Relates to** when the tasks belong together without an order. See
[Task relations and the relations graph](/concepts/relations#relation-types-two-readings-of-one-relation)
for the other built-in types and the labels shown from each task.

::: info Mentions come from # mentions
Hule adds **Mentions** from [`#` mentions](/guides/comment-and-mention); you cannot pick it in
**Add relation**.
:::

To add your own type:

1. Open the menu at the bottom of the sidebar (your name) → **Workspace settings** (pick the
   workspace if you have several) → **Relation Templates**.
   The workspace's relation templates are listed on the left.
2. Click **New template**.
   An empty template opens.

   ::: warning Creating a type needs a permission
   You need **Create** in the [**Relation templates** block](/reference/permissions-and-access):
   **Admin** has it, **Worker** doesn't.
   :::
3. Name both readings: under **This task…**, type **implements**; under **…and the linked task**,
   type **is implemented by**. For a type that reads the same both ways, type the same text twice.
   **Create** becomes available once both names are filled in.
4. Click **Create**.
   The template joins the list on the left, and **Add relation** offers **Implements** and **Is
   implemented by**.

## Remove a relation

::: warning Permissions to remove a relation
Without this access, there is no ×. You need:

* **Delete** in the **Relations** block;
* **Read** access to both tasks;
* **Edit** access to the list of the task you have open; if you can edit only the other task's
  list, open that task instead.
  :::

1. In the **Relations** section, point at the linked task.
   An × appears at the end of its row.
2. Click the × (**Remove relation**).
   The relation disappears from both tasks.

## Relations graph: see the connections

### Task graph: one task's relations

To see one task's relations as a graph:

1. In the **Relations** section header, click the graph icon (**Show graph**).
   The section draws the task and its linked tasks as a graph.
2. To go back, click the icon again (**Show list**).
   The section shows the list of relations.

![The Relations section of Paint the walls as a graph: the task with Buy paint, Lay the floor and Choose the curtains around it, and the Show list button](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-4.light.webp){.light-only}
![The Relations section of Paint the walls as a graph: the task with Buy paint, Lay the floor and Choose the curtains around it, and the Show list button](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-4.dark.webp){.dark-only}

### Relations view: the whole graph

To see the relations across many tasks, add a **Relations** view:

1. In the sidebar, open the folder's **…** menu and choose **New view**. For a
   personal view, under **User Views** in the sidebar, point at the row with your name, click
   **+** and choose **New view**.
   The new view form opens. A view made from a list's **…** menu shows that list alone.

   ::: warning No New view?
   In a folder's menu, you need [**Edit** access](/guides/share-a-folder-or-list) to the folder;
   creating a view in a folder or a workspace also needs **Create** in the
   [**Views** block](/reference/permissions-and-access): **List/Folder manager** and **Admin**
   have it, **Worker** doesn't. Without it, make a [personal view](/concepts/personal-and-work):
   start from **User Views** in the sidebar instead of a folder.
   :::

2. Type a name under **Name**.
   The name is one of the two things **Create** waits for; the other is a source.

3. Under **Display Mode**, choose **Relations**.
   The **Icon** row below takes the Relations view's icon.

4. Under **Source**, pick the folder or the lists that hold your tasks, for example **Renovation**.
   A check mark appears next to each list you pick, and **Create** becomes available.

   ::: warning Pick both lists
   A relation shows only when both of its tasks are in the view.
   :::

5. Click **Create**.
   The view draws every task in it as a node, with its relations as arrows. Click a node to open the
   task.

![A Relations view of the Renovation folder: red blocks arrows from Buy paint to Paint the walls and from there to Lay the floor, and a blue relates to line to Choose the curtains](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-2.light.webp){.light-only}
![A Relations view of the Renovation folder: red blocks arrows from Buy paint to Paint the walls and from there to Lay the floor, and a blue relates to line to Choose the curtains](/shots/guides/link-related-tasks-2.dark.webp){.dark-only}

In the view's toolbar, click the gear (**Configure graph**) to switch relation types on or off and
change how the graph is laid out; see
[Relations view: the whole graph](/concepts/relations#relations-view-the-whole-graph).

## Troubleshoot relations and views

| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The other task doesn't appear in the search | It is already linked to this task with this relation, in this direction | Look for it in the **Relations** section, or pick another type. |
| The other task doesn't appear in the search | It is the task itself | A task can't be linked to itself. |
| The other task doesn't appear in the search | It is in another workspace | Link tasks in the [same workspace](/concepts/relations#relation-reach-one-workspace) only. |
| The other task doesn't appear in the search | You can't see it | Ask for access to its list; see [Share a folder or list](/guides/share-a-folder-or-list). |
| You can't pick **Mentions** | Hule creates it from `#` mentions in a description or a comment | Type `#` and the task's name; see [Comment and mention people](/guides/comment-and-mention). |
| A task is missing from the graph view | The task's list is not among the view's sources | In the view's toolbar, click **Sources** and add the list. |
| A relation is missing from the graph view | The linked task's list is not among the view's sources | Click **Sources** and add that list too. |
| **Sources** can't be changed | The view was made from a list's **…** menu or at the top of the workspace, or you can only read it | Make a new view from a folder's **…** menu or under **User Views**, with both lists (see [Relations view](#relations-view-the-whole-graph)). |
| A relation type is missing from the graph view | The type is switched off | In the gear (**Configure graph**), turn it back on under **Filters** (see [Relations view: the whole graph](/concepts/relations#relations-view-the-whole-graph)). |

## Related

* [Task relations and the relations graph](/concepts/relations): why typed relations make a map
  of your work.
* Second brain: [Build a second brain with relations](/recipes/second-brain-with-relations), a
  workflow built on relations.
* [Comment and mention people](/guides/comment-and-mention): `#` mentions that create relations.
* List features: [Set up a list](/guides/set-up-a-list), to turn **Relations** on or off.
* [Views compared](/reference/views-compared): what the **Relations** view shows.
* [Permissions and access](/reference/permissions-and-access): the **Relations** and **Relation
  templates** blocks.