Getting Started with ClickUp

ClickUp is a flexible work management platform that helps you organize tasks, projects, and collaboration for your entire team in one place. This how-to guide walks you step-by-step through the essential setup so you can start using ClickUp confidently and adapt it to the way your team works.

This article is based on the official introductory resources available in the ClickUp Help Center so you can follow trusted best practices from day one.

Understand the ClickUp hierarchy

Before you start building, it is important to understand how work is structured in ClickUp. The hierarchy moves from broad, organization-level areas down to individual tasks.

• Workspace: Your main account for your company, department, or personal use.
• Spaces: High-level divisions such as Marketing, Product, Operations, or Personal.
• Folders: Optional containers inside Spaces, useful for grouping related projects.
• Lists: Collections of tasks that usually represent a project, sprint, or process stage.
• Tasks & Subtasks: Actionable work items assigned to people, with details, dates, and dependencies.

Thinking through this structure first ensures that ClickUp will remain clear and easy to navigate as your work scales.

Create your ClickUp Workspace

The Workspace is where you and your team collaborate. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Sign up or log in

   Go to the ClickUp website and create an account using your email, Google account, or another available option. If your organization already has a Workspace, you may be invited by email.

2. Name your Workspace

   Choose a clear and recognizable name, such as your company name or team name. This makes it easy for members to identify where they are working.

3. Set your Workspace settings

   Configure basic preferences, such as time zone, date format, and language. These settings ensure your ClickUp experience is consistent for everyone.

Set up Spaces in ClickUp

Spaces are the next level in the hierarchy and represent major areas of responsibility. You can create Spaces for teams, departments, or large projects.

1. Create a Space

   From your Workspace sidebar, choose the option to create a new Space. Give it a descriptive name, such as “Marketing” or “Product Delivery.”

2. Select Space features

   Decide which features to enable for the Space, such as task statuses, tags, time tracking, or custom fields. This allows you to tailor ClickUp to each team’s needs.

3. Set privacy and sharing

   Control who can access each Space. You can keep Spaces private, share them with specific members, or open them to your entire Workspace.

Organize Folders and Lists in ClickUp

Once Spaces are created, you can add structure using Folders and Lists. Not every Space needs Folders, but they are helpful for grouping related work.

Create Folders for projects in ClickUp

1. Add a Folder

   Within a Space, create a new Folder for a group of related projects or processes, such as “Campaigns,” “Product Releases,” or “Client Accounts.”

2. Adjust default statuses, views, and sharing for each Folder to match the type of work it contains.

Create Lists for tasks in ClickUp

1. Add a List

   Inside a Space or Folder, create a new List. Lists usually represent a specific project, sprint, or workflow stage.

2. Use clear naming

   Name Lists so everyone can understand their purpose at a glance, for example “Q2 Launch Plan,” “Sprint 12,” or “Onboarding Pipeline.”

3. Customize List views

   Each List can have multiple views so you can see the same tasks in different formats.

Create and manage tasks in ClickUp

Tasks are the core building blocks of work in ClickUp. A well-structured task helps your team know exactly what needs to be done and when.

Create a new task

1. Open the target List

   Navigate to the List where the task belongs.

2. Add a task

   Use the new task button, give the task a clear title, and press Enter to create it.

3. Add key details

   Inside the task, add a description, attach files, insert checklists, and mention people using comments.

Assign and schedule tasks in ClickUp

1. Assign owners

   Use the assignee field to select one or more responsible people. Clear ownership prevents confusion.

2. Set due dates

   Add start and due dates so the task appears on time-based views such as Calendar and Gantt.

3. Apply statuses

   Move tasks through custom statuses like “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Complete.” Statuses show progress at a glance.

Use views to work efficiently in ClickUp

Views change how you see tasks without altering the underlying data. You can switch views at any time depending on what you need to focus on.

• List view: A simple table-like view that’s ideal for detailed task management.
• Board view: A Kanban-style layout where you move tasks between columns based on status or another field.
• Calendar view: Shows tasks scheduled by date, perfect for content planning or scheduling.
• Gantt view: Visualizes timelines, dependencies, and critical paths for complex projects.

Each Space, Folder, and List in ClickUp can include multiple views, so different team members can choose the layout that works best for them.

Collaborate with your team in ClickUp

Collaboration features are built into every task so that conversations stay attached to the work they reference.

• Comments: Discuss details, ask questions, and share updates directly on tasks.
• Mentions: Use @mentions to notify teammates or reference other tasks and Docs.
• Attachments: Upload files or link cloud documents so everyone has the latest version.
• Notifications: Customize your notification settings to stay informed without overload.

When your team uses these collaboration tools consistently, ClickUp becomes a central hub for communication and documentation.

Customize ClickUp for your workflows

One of the main strengths of ClickUp is its ability to adapt to many different workflows, from software development and marketing to operations and personal productivity.

• Custom statuses: Build status workflows that match your real-world process.
• Custom fields: Track additional data such as budgets, priorities, or client details.
• Templates: Create task, List, or Space templates to standardize repeatable work.
• Automations: Use rule-based actions to reduce manual work, such as updating statuses or assigning tasks when conditions are met.

Start with a simple setup and add complexity as your team becomes more comfortable and your needs evolve.

Learn more about ClickUp

To deepen your understanding, refer to the official introductory documentation provided by the platform. You can explore more features, use cases, and best practices in the Intro to ClickUp section of the Help Center at this ClickUp resource.

If you need expert help designing scalable structures, workflows, or integrations, you can also consult implementation specialists such as Consultevo for strategic guidance.

Next steps with ClickUp

To put this guide into action, follow these steps:

1. Create or join your Workspace.
2. Define Spaces that match your major teams or areas of work.
3. Set up Folders and Lists for your projects.
4. Create tasks with clear owners, dates, and statuses.
5. Experiment with different views to find what suits your style.
6. Introduce collaboration and customization features gradually.

By following these steps, you will have a solid foundation for using ClickUp to manage work, improve collaboration, and keep your projects organized from the start.

Need Help With ClickUp?

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

Get Help

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