gitlab-org--gitlab-foss/doc/user/tasks.md

---
stage: Plan
group: Project Management
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---

# Tasks **(FREE)**

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/334812) in GitLab 14.5 [with a flag](../administration/feature_flags.md) named `work_items`. Disabled by default.

FLAG:
On self-managed GitLab, by default this feature is not available. To make it available,
ask an administrator to [enable the feature flag](../administration/feature_flags.md) named `work_items`.
On GitLab.com, this feature is not available.
The feature is not ready for production use.

Use tasks to track steps needed for the [issue](project/issues/index.md) to be closed.

When planning an issue, you need a way to capture and break down technical
requirements or steps necessary to complete it. An issue with related tasks is better defined,
and so you can provide a more accurate issue weight and completion criteria.

Tasks are a type of work item, a step towards [default issue types](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/323404)
in GitLab.
For the roadmap of migrating issues and [epics](group/epics/index.md)
to work items and adding custom work item types, visit
[epic 6033](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/6033) or
[Plan direction page](https://about.gitlab.com/direction/plan/).

## Create a task

To create a task:

1. In an issue description, create a [task list](markdown.md#task-lists).
1. Hover over a task item and select **Create task** (**{doc-new}**).

## Edit a task

To edit a task:

1. In the issue description, view the task links.
1. Select a link. The task is displayed.
   - To edit the description, select **Edit**, then select **Save**.
   - To edit the title or state, make your changes, then click outside the field. The changes are saved automatically.

## Delete a task

To delete a task:

1. In the issue description, select the task.
1. From the options menu (**{ellipsis_v}**), select **Delete work item**.