How to add subtasks in ClickUp
Add a subtask to any ClickUp task from the task view: open the task, click Add subtask, name it, and save it so the work breaks into smaller steps.
Quick answer
Open the task you want to break down, click Add subtask near the bottom of the task view, type a name in the Task Name field, and click Save. The new subtask appears in a Subtasks list under the parent task, and the task shows a subtask count.
Steps at a glance
- Open the parent task from your list.
- Click Add subtask in the task view.
- Type the subtask name in the Task Name field.
- Click Save to create the subtask.
- Find the new subtask in the Subtasks list.
Interactive demo
Summary
Subtasks split a larger ClickUp task into smaller pieces of work that you can track separately. You add them from inside the parent task, so the breakdown stays attached to the task it belongs to.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the task
Go to your list and click the task you want to break down, for example Draft homepage copy. The task view opens over the list with its status, dates and priority.
Step 2
Click Add subtask
Scroll to the bottom of the task view and click Add subtask. A new row opens for the subtask, with Cancel and Save buttons.
Step 3
Name the subtask
Click the Task Name field and type a name for the subtask, such as Write hero headline.
Step 4
Save the subtask
Click Save to create the subtask. The section heading changes to Subtasks and the parent task now shows a subtask count.
Step 5
Find your new subtask
Look in the Subtasks list under the parent task. Your new subtask, Write hero headline, appears there with its own status.
Why this matters
You have a task like a homepage draft that is really several jobs. Adding subtasks lets you name each piece, such as the hero headline, and see what is still open without losing the parent task.
Frequently asked questions
Where do subtasks appear?
They appear in a Subtasks list inside the parent task, and the parent task shows a subtask count.
Do subtasks have their own status?
Yes. Each subtask in the Subtasks list has its own status control, separate from the parent task.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to create a task in ClickUpLearn how to create a task in ClickUp from a List view: open Add Task, name the task, and save it with Create Task so it appears in your List.
How to set task status in ClickUpChange a task's status in ClickUp from its list row. Open the status menu, pick a new status, and watch the task move to its new group.
How to access the editor in a ClickUp DocOpen a ClickUp Doc from the sidebar, start writing, use the slash command menu to add a heading, and format selected text with the toolbar.
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