Master Task Checklists in ClickUp
Task checklists in ClickUp help you break work into smaller, trackable items so your team can stay organized, accountable, and aligned on every task.
This guide explains how to create, manage, and automate checklists, so you can make the most of them in your workspace.
What are task checklists in ClickUp?
A task checklist is a list of smaller items inside a task. Each item can be checked off as you complete it, allowing you to track progress at a more detailed level.
Checklists are ideal for:
- Standard operating procedures
- Recurring task steps
- Quality assurance or reviews
- Simple sub-tasks that do not need full Subtasks
Using them correctly in ClickUp ensures clearer ownership and better visibility into task completion.
How to create a checklist in ClickUp
You can add one or more checklists to any task. Follow these steps to start using them.
Create a new checklist in a ClickUp task
- Open any task in your Workspace.
- In the task description area, locate the Checklist section or the option to add a checklist.
- Click Add checklist or the checklist icon.
- Enter a name for your checklist, such as “Launch steps” or “QA review”.
- Press Enter to create the checklist.
Once the checklist is created, you can start adding items right away.
Add items to a ClickUp checklist
- Click into the first blank checklist item.
- Type the item name, for example, “Draft copy” or “Upload assets”.
- Press Enter to add the next item.
- Repeat until you have added all steps you want to track.
Each item will display as an individual line with a checkbox. When work is done, you can simply mark the item complete.
Manage checklist items in ClickUp tasks
After creating a list of items, you can organize, assign, and track them efficiently.
Reorder checklist items
- Hover over an item until you see the drag handle on the left side.
- Click and hold the drag handle.
- Drag the item up or down to a new position in the checklist.
Reordering lets you keep steps in the right sequence without having to rewrite them.
Rename a checklist or item
- Click the checklist title to rename the list.
- Type the new name and press Enter.
- To rename an item, click directly into the item text.
- Edit the text and click outside the field or press Enter to save.
Delete items or entire checklists
If any step is no longer needed, you can remove it quickly.
- Hover over the checklist item you want to delete.
- Click the options icon (usually three dots or a similar menu).
- Select Delete to remove that item.
To delete an entire checklist, use the checklist menu and choose the delete option. This removes all items in that list from the task.
Assign checklist items in ClickUp
Checklist items can have assignees, giving clear ownership over each step in a task.
Assign an item to a user
- Hover over a checklist item.
- Click the assignee icon or avatar area next to the item.
- Select a user from the list of Workspace members.
The assignee will be able to see they are responsible for that specific action, even if they are not the main assignee on the parent task.
View assigned checklist work
Assigned checklist items can be used for better reporting and visibility. Members can filter tasks or use views that highlight items assigned to them to stay on top of their work inside ClickUp.
Save and use checklist templates in ClickUp
If you repeat the same steps for multiple tasks, checklist templates help you standardize the process.
Create a checklist template
- Open a task that already contains a checklist you want to reuse.
- Click the checklist menu (three dots or similar icon).
- Select Save as template or an equivalent option.
- Give your template a clear, descriptive name such as “Blog publish checklist” or “Sprint review checklist”.
- Confirm to save the template.
The template is now available for use in other tasks in your Workspace.
Apply a checklist template in a task
- Open a task where you want to use a stored template.
- Click to add a new checklist.
- Choose Templates from the checklist options.
- Select the template you created earlier.
- Insert it into the task.
All items from the template will appear instantly, ready to be assigned and completed by your team in ClickUp.
Track progress with checklists in ClickUp
Checklist progress gives you a quick visual snapshot of task health.
Use completion indicators
Each checklist typically shows:
- The number of completed items.
- The total number of items.
- A progress bar or percentage indicator.
This makes it easy to see how close the task is to completion, even if the main task status has not changed yet.
Best practices for progress tracking
- Keep checklist items small and actionable.
- Avoid vague items such as “Do work”; instead, use clear steps like “Review draft with manager”.
- Assign items to specific members when responsibility is shared.
- Use templates for recurring workflows to keep progress metrics consistent.
Collaborate with your team using ClickUp checklists
Checklists can improve collaboration, especially when several people contribute to the same task.
Team members can:
- Comment on the task as checklist items are completed.
- Mention others when they finish or need help with a step.
- Quickly scan which checklist items are still open.
By combining comments, assignments, and checklist items, your team gains a clear, shared view of what needs to happen next.
Learn more about task checklists
For complete, official documentation about task checklists, visit the original help center guide on the ClickUp website: Use task checklists.
If you want help designing processes or optimizing workspace structure, you can also work with experienced consultants. Explore services at Consultevo to improve your workflows.
By setting up clear task checklists, assigning items, and leveraging templates, you can turn every ClickUp task into a reliable, repeatable workflow that keeps your projects moving forward.
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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