How to Create Task Dependencies in ClickUp

Task dependencies in ClickUp let you control the order work is done, prevent teams from starting items too early, and automatically adjust schedules when plans change. This guide walks you step by step through creating, editing, and managing dependency relationships in your tasks.

Using dependencies correctly helps you avoid blockers, coordinate between team members, and keep projects moving smoothly without constant manual updates.

Understanding Dependencies in ClickUp

In ClickUp, dependencies describe how tasks relate to one another in time and order. You connect tasks so that one must be completed, started, or updated before another task can move forward.

Dependencies can exist between tasks in the same List or across different Lists and Folders inside a Workspace.

Types of Dependency Relationships in ClickUp

There are three main dependency types available:

• Waiting on: The current task cannot be started or completed until another task is finished.
• Blocking: The current task is preventing another task from starting or finishing.
• Linked: The tasks are related but not strictly blocking or waiting; use this when you want connection without rules.

Each dependency has a direction, so one task is the predecessor and the other is the successor.

How Dependencies Affect Tasks in ClickUp

When you add dependency relationships in ClickUp, they can limit what users can do to tasks and change how dates behave.

Dependency Rules and Limitations

Depending on your Workspace settings, a dependency can:

• Prevent you from completing a task before another one is done.
• Stop you from moving a task’s start or due date to an earlier time than its dependency.
• Warn you when you try to reorder or reschedule tasks that depend on others.

Workspace admins can adjust global dependency behavior in settings so your team’s rules are applied consistently.

Due Dates and Rescheduling in ClickUp

Dependencies can also affect task scheduling. When a predecessor task shifts, you can configure whether related tasks should:

• Reschedule automatically to keep spacing consistent.
• Stay in place but show date conflicts or warnings.
• Allow manual control with no automatic movement.

This makes ClickUp especially useful for planning roadmaps and project timelines where one delay can impact many follow-up tasks.

How to Create Dependencies in ClickUp Tasks

You can add dependencies from several places in ClickUp, including the task view, List view, and Board view. The exact options you see depend on your plan and Workspace permissions.

Create Dependencies from the Task View

To create a dependency from an open task:

1. Open the task where you want to add the relationship.
2. Look for the Relationships or Dependencies section in the task sidebar or header.
3. Click + Add or the plus icon to create a new relationship.
4. Choose the dependency type: Waiting on, Blocking, or Linked.
5. Search for and select the task you want to connect.
6. Confirm to save the dependency.

Once added, you will see the dependency label and linked task, with clear indicators showing which task is blocking and which is waiting.

Use Task IDs to Add Dependencies in ClickUp

If you know a task’s ID, you can quickly create a dependency by:

1. Opening the task where you want to set the relationship.
2. Clicking the dependency section to add a relationship.
3. Typing the task ID in the search field instead of the task name.
4. Selecting the matching result to connect the tasks.

This approach is helpful in large Workspaces where many tasks share similar names.

Create Dependencies from List View in ClickUp

In List view, you can add dependency columns to manage multiple tasks:

1. Open the List containing your tasks.
2. Click the + on the right of the column header area.
3. Add the Dependencies column if it is not already visible.
4. In a task row, click inside the dependency cell.
5. Select Waiting on, Blocking, or Linked.
6. Search for and select the task to connect.

Repeat this for other tasks to quickly build dependency chains for entire workflows.

Managing Dependencies in ClickUp

After creating relationships, you can adjust or remove them as work evolves.

Edit or Remove Dependencies in ClickUp

To modify an existing dependency from the task view:

1. Open the task that has the dependency.
2. Locate the dependency section showing related tasks.
3. Hover over the dependency you want to change.
4. Use the menu or icons to switch the type, such as from Linked to Waiting on.
5. To remove it, click the delete or remove icon next to the related task.

Changing dependency types updates how the tasks interact, but does not remove the relationship unless you explicitly delete it.

View Dependency Chains in ClickUp

When your work has many relationships, it is important to see the full picture. You can view chains and connections by:

• Checking the list of dependencies inside the task.
• Using List view columns that highlight whether a task is blocking or waiting.
• Reviewing warnings or icons indicating that a task has unresolved dependencies.

This visibility helps teams avoid starting work that is still blocked and identify which items to complete first.

Best Practices for Using Dependencies in ClickUp

To get the most from dependency relationships, keep these simple practices in mind:

• Use Waiting on and Blocking only when there is a real constraint, not just a loose connection.
• Use Linked relationships when tasks are related but can be worked on in parallel.
• Keep dates updated so automatic scheduling works correctly.
• Regularly review tasks with many dependencies to prevent bottlenecks.

With clear rules and consistent usage, dependencies become a powerful planning tool rather than a source of confusion.

More Resources for ClickUp Users

For a detailed reference directly from the platform, see the official guide on how to create dependency relationships in tasks on the ClickUp Help Center: view the original ClickUp article.

If you need help optimizing your workspace configuration, processes, or documentation, you can also explore expert consulting and implementation services at Consultevo.

By combining clear dependency rules with the flexible task structure in ClickUp, your teams can plan work precisely, prevent avoidable blockers, and keep complex projects aligned from start to finish.

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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