Master Automation Triggers in ClickUp

Automation triggers in ClickUp let you kick off powerful workflows the moment something changes in your workspace, so your team can move faster with less manual work.

This how-to guide explains every available trigger, how they behave, and how to choose the right one for your process.

What are Automation Triggers in ClickUp?

An automation trigger is the event that starts an automation. When the trigger conditions are met, the automation runs its selected actions.

In ClickUp, triggers are watched continuously in the background. As soon as a monitored change happens in a task, the platform checks your automation recipes and runs any that match.

Where Automation Triggers Work in ClickUp

Automation triggers are available in specific locations of your workspace. You can create and manage automations at:

Space level
Folder level
List level

Each location can have its own tailored set of rules. Triggers watch the tasks inside that Space, Folder, or List and fire only when their conditions are met there.

For reference, the official documentation describing these triggers is available on the ClickUp automation triggers help page.

Main Types of Automation Triggers

ClickUp provides several categories of triggers that listen for different task changes.

Task-based Triggers in ClickUp

Task-based triggers watch for updates directly on a task. Examples include:

Task created: Runs when a new task is added.
Task moved: Fires when a task is moved between Lists, Folders, or Spaces.
Task deleted: Activates when a task is removed.
Due date changed: Starts when the due date is added or updated.
Assignee changed: Runs when people are assigned or unassigned.

Use these triggers any time your workflow depends on the lifecycle of a task, such as sending notifications when tasks move or updating fields when due dates shift.

Status-based Triggers in ClickUp

Status changes are one of the most common triggers in any process. In ClickUp you can configure automations that run when:

Status changes to a specific value, like In progress or Complete.
Status changes from one value to another, such as Open to Review.
Status changes from any value to any other.

These triggers are ideal for handoffs between teams, progression through pipelines, and enforcing review or approval workflows.

Custom Field Triggers in ClickUp

Custom fields add structure to tasks, and ClickUp can watch them for changes. Common custom field triggers include:

When a custom field changes: Fires when any tracked custom field value is updated.
When a custom field changes to a value: Runs when a specific value is set.
When a dropdown or label is selected: Perfect for priority flags or category tags.

These triggers help you route tasks, update statuses, or notify team members based on numeric values, options, or other field data.

Checklist and Subtask Triggers

ClickUp also supports triggers related to subtasks and checklists. Example behaviors include:

Starting an automation when all subtasks are done.
Running an action when a checklist is complete.

Use these when the parent task should move forward only after its smaller items or subtasks are finished.

Comment and Activity Triggers

Some automations are driven by collaboration events, such as:

Comment added: Runs when someone adds a new comment to a task.
Assigned comment resolved: Activates when a comment assigned to a user is completed or resolved.

Comment-based triggers are useful for review loops, support workflows, or any time feedback activity should change the state of a task.

Time-based and Due Date Triggers

ClickUp can trigger automations around dates, including:

When a due date arrives or passes.
When a start date is reached.

Use these to send reminders, adjust priorities, or move tasks into special Lists when they become overdue.

How to Set Up Automation Triggers in ClickUp

The interface for creating automations is the same across Spaces, Folders, and Lists. Follow these steps:

Open the Space, Folder, or List where you want the automation to live.
Click the Automations button in the view toolbar.
Select Add Automation or choose a template as a starting point.
Pick a trigger from the available categories (task, status, custom field, etc.).
Define any conditions the trigger must meet, like a specific status or value.
Choose the actions that should run when the trigger fires.
Save and turn the automation On.

Once saved, the automation watches all tasks within that location and fires each time the trigger conditions are matched.

Trigger Scope and Behavior in ClickUp

Understanding how scope works ensures your automations behave as expected.

Location-bound: Triggers only monitor tasks that live in the Space, Folder, or List where the automation is configured.
Inheritance: Child locations can have their own automations, independent of parent locations.
Multiple matches: If several automations share the same trigger, all that meet the conditions will run.

If you move a task to a different List, it will then be affected by the automations in its new location, including any triggers configured there.

Best Practices for Automation Triggers in ClickUp

Use these guidelines to keep your automations efficient and maintainable:

Be specific with triggers: Use conditions such as particular statuses or custom field values to avoid unintended runs.
Limit overlapping rules: Too many triggers watching the same events can make troubleshooting difficult.
Test with sample tasks: Before scaling, create test tasks to confirm the trigger fires as you expect.
Document your rules: Keep a simple list or doc describing your most important automations so teammates understand what happens automatically.

For additional strategic help planning your workflows and optimizing automations, you can consult external specialists such as Consultevo, which focuses on process design and tool optimization.

Troubleshooting Automation Triggers

If an automation in ClickUp does not run when you expect, review the following:

Confirm the automation is enabled.
Verify the task is located in the Space, Folder, or List where the automation is defined.
Check that all trigger conditions are exactly met (status, custom field value, assignee, and so on).
Look for other automations that might be updating the same fields and preventing your trigger from matching.

By refining your triggers and conditions, you can maintain reliable and predictable workflows.

Next Steps

Now that you understand how automation triggers work in ClickUp, you can start designing flows that react instantly to task changes. Combine status-based, custom field, and time-based triggers to create a fully automated system that supports your team’s processes end to end.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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