How to Use ClickUp AI with GitHub for Development Workflows

ClickUp can work alongside GitHub and AI coding tools to give developers a single place to plan work, track issues, and document releases. This how-to guide walks you through setting up a simple, repeatable workflow so your engineering team stays aligned from idea to deployment.

The steps below are based on GitHub Copilot-style use cases described in the original guide at this ClickUp AI and GitHub article, adapted into a practical implementation process.

1. Plan Your Workspace Structure in ClickUp

Before connecting tools, design a clear structure in ClickUp for engineering work. This will make it easier to map issues and pull requests to tasks.

1.1 Create a Software Engineering Space in ClickUp

1. Sign in to your ClickUp account.
2. From the sidebar, select + Space.
3. Name it something like Engineering or Product Development.
4. Choose the relevant features (Tasks, Docs, Dashboards, and Whiteboards are usually enough to begin).

This Space will become the central hub where all GitHub-related work is organized.

1.2 Add Folders for Repositories or Teams

Inside your new Space, add Folders that represent:

• Individual GitHub repositories
• Specific products or services
• Cross-functional teams (Frontend, Backend, DevOps)

For example, you might create Folders called Web App, API, and Infrastructure within your ClickUp Space.

2. Build ClickUp Lists for Backlog and Sprints

Lists in ClickUp help you manage backlog items, sprints, and releases in a structure that developers understand.

2.1 Create a Product Backlog List

1. Open the appropriate Folder in ClickUp.
2. Select + List and name it Product Backlog.
3. Switch the view to List for easy prioritization.

Use this List to capture all incoming work before it is added to a sprint.

2.2 Create Sprint or Iteration Lists

1. In the same Folder, add a List for each sprint, such as Sprint 1, Sprint 2, and so on.
2. Use start and due dates on each List to match your sprint cadence.
3. Move tasks from the backlog into the appropriate sprint List during planning.

This structure mirrors agile boards while letting ClickUp serve as the single source of truth for planned work.

3. Configure Custom Fields in ClickUp for Dev Work

Custom fields help you track technical and GitHub-related data directly in ClickUp tasks.

3.1 Add Dev-Friendly Custom Fields

1. Open a List in ClickUp.
2. Click + on the column header to add a custom field.
3. Create fields such as:
   • Epic (Dropdown)
   • Estimate (Story Points) (Number)
   • GitHub Branch (Text)
   • Release Version (Text)

These fields make it easier to scan and filter work without opening each task.

3.2 Set Statuses that Match Your GitHub Flow

Configure task statuses in ClickUp to mirror your development process. Common examples include:

• Backlog
• Ready for Dev
• In Progress
• In Review
• Ready for Release
• Done

Matching statuses to your GitHub branches and pull request stages makes it easier for the team to understand where work stands.

4. Use ClickUp AI to Refine Requirements

When using AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot, clear requirements matter. ClickUp AI can help you quickly generate and refine specs before coding begins.

4.1 Draft User Stories with ClickUp AI

1. Create a new task in the relevant List.
2. In the task description, enter a short summary of the feature or bug.
3. Highlight the text and use ClickUp AI to expand it into a user story, including:
   • Problem statement
   • Acceptance criteria
   • Edge cases

This gives developers a clear prompt they can translate into code with their AI pair programmer.

4.2 Generate Checklists and Test Cases

For each task, use ClickUp AI to generate:

• Implementation checklists
• Test scenarios and edge cases
• Documentation outlines

Store these in the task description or as subtasks for easy tracking during development.

5. Manage GitHub Work from ClickUp Boards

Once requirements are clear, use board views in ClickUp to monitor development work that is implemented in GitHub.

5.1 Create a Kanban Board View

1. Open your sprint List in ClickUp.
2. Select + View and choose Board.
3. Group tasks by Status.

Engineers can drag tasks across columns as they create branches, open pull requests, and merge code in GitHub.

5.2 Link GitHub Data in ClickUp Tasks

To keep everything connected, add links and references directly in the task:

• Paste pull request URLs into the description or a custom field.
• Add branch names to the GitHub Branch custom field.
• Link documentation or diagrams from related ClickUp Docs.

This gives non-technical stakeholders a clear view of progress without needing to open GitHub.

6. Use ClickUp Docs for Technical Documentation

Good documentation supports both AI coding tools and human developers. ClickUp Docs can become your central documentation hub.

6.1 Create a Docs Hub for Your Repositories

1. From the sidebar, select Docs in ClickUp.
2. Create a main document such as Engineering Handbook.
3. Add pages for:
   • Coding standards
   • Architecture overviews
   • API references
   • Release procedures

Link individual tasks to the relevant sections so developers can quickly find context while working in GitHub.

6.2 Summarize PRs and Releases with ClickUp AI

After a release, use ClickUp AI to:

• Summarize merged pull requests into release notes
• Generate changelog entries from task descriptions
• Create documentation updates from commit highlights

Store these summaries in Docs and link them back to release tasks for easy reference.

7. Track Metrics and Workload in ClickUp Dashboards

Dashboards in ClickUp help teams visualize progress and ensure work is balanced, even when most of the coding happens in GitHub.

7.1 Build an Engineering Dashboard

1. Go to Dashboards in the sidebar.
2. Create a new Dashboard, such as Engineering Overview.
3. Add widgets for:
   • Tasks by status
   • Tasks by assignee
   • Velocity or completed tasks per sprint
   • Workload by user

Filter the Dashboard to show only your engineering Space or specific Folders tied to GitHub repositories.

7.2 Monitor Cycle Time and Bottlenecks

Use custom fields and task statuses in ClickUp to approximate cycle time by tracking how long work stays in each stage. Look for:

• Tasks stuck in In Review
• Frequent scope changes in the backlog
• Overloaded team members

These signals reveal where you may need process changes or additional automation in GitHub.

8. Collaborate Across Teams with ClickUp

Because GitHub is primarily for code, cross-functional collaboration works best when product, design, and engineering share a common hub in ClickUp.

8.1 Align Product and Engineering in ClickUp

Use shared Lists and Docs so that:

• Product managers define priorities and outcomes.
• Designers attach files, prototypes, and diagrams.
• Engineers link GitHub branches and pull requests.

All stakeholders can comment in tasks and Docs, keeping technical and non-technical conversations in one place.

8.2 Use Whiteboards for System Design

When planning new features or architecture, use ClickUp Whiteboards to sketch flows and data models. Then link tasks and Docs directly from the Whiteboard to ensure the plan, documentation, and GitHub implementation stay aligned.

9. Learn More and Extend Your Setup

The workflow above gives you a practical starting point to combine planning in ClickUp with implementation in GitHub and AI-assisted coding.

To deepen your setup, you can explore additional project management and automation ideas from specialists such as Consultevo, and revisit the original AI-focused guide on ClickUp and GitHub at this article.

By centralizing planning, documentation, and reporting in ClickUp while continuing to write and review code in GitHub, your team gains the visibility and structure needed to make the most of AI-assisted development.

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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