Subtasks and status

Subtasks make progress visible without splitting every small action into a separate task. Use them when a task has multiple steps that can be checked independently.

Add subtasks

While creating a task: in Agent mode, Alan suggests subtasks when your description says how to split the work. In manual mode, use Add subtasks.
On an existing task: open Task Overview and choose + next to Subtasks. The header shows progress, for example Subtasks 0/2.
From an agent: Orchestrator and PM Agent can create and update subtasks while they plan. See Agent profiles.

Each subtask has its own status, so you can mark pieces done as they land.

Good subtasks

Give each subtask a clear result, for example:

Add a password reset link to sign-in.
Add the reset request form.
Test the link and form.

Avoid vague subtasks:

Improve docs.
Make better.
Check everything.

Statuses

Every team starts with six statuses in four groups. The group decides where a task shows up, for example in Active or Backlog on the Tasks page.

Group	Default statuses	Meaning
Not started	Backlog, Todo	Work that hasn't begun yet. Backlog is required.
Active	In Progress, In Review	Work currently being done
Done	Done	Work that has been completed
Closed	Cancelled	Work that has been cancelled

The team Tasks settings page with the Enable tasks switch and the Statuses tab listing Backlog and Todo under Not started, In Progress and In Review under Active, Done under Done, and Cancelled under Closed.

Teams can add their own statuses to any group and rename or recolor them in Settings → your team → Tasks → Statuses; labels are managed on the Labels tab. Your team's list may therefore differ from the defaults.

Keep status honest

Status should describe real progress, not intent. Move a task when the evidence matches: In Progress once a session is making changes, In Review once there is a pull request or a test report to check, Done when it has shipped.

Alan changes status automatically in one case only: when a task gets its first session, a task in a Not started status moves to the first Active status (In Progress by default). Opening, approving, or merging a pull request doesn't change status, so move the task to In Review and Done yourself, or ask the agent to. If no status fits, leave the task where it is and add a comment. See Task statuses for the full reference.

Next steps

Task statuses

The full status reference and board categories.

Task detail

Manage subtasks and status on the task.

Create a task

Shape the parent task well first.

Cycles

How status moves across a cycle.