Custom Task Types in ClickUp:

Tailoring Workflows for Maximum Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced digital workspace, one-size-fits-all task setups rarely deliver the flexibility and clarity teams need. That’s where ClickUp’s Custom Task Types come in: a powerful way to categorize work with clear labels and icons, and to run automations or views that adapt to your processes. Combine task types with your List or Space statuses and Custom Fields to create workflows that fit exactly how your business operates.

Below is a  view showing tasks labeled with distinct task types for instant recognition:

What Are Custom Task Types?

Custom Task Types let you define unique categories for your tasks—each with its own name and icon—so teams can identify work at a glance. They do not have their own statuses or fields globally; instead, you pair them with the statuses and Custom Fields defined at the Space, Folder, or List level to shape each workflow.

Key Features

• Custom names and icons: Create recognizable categories like “Bug,” “Feature,” “Lead,” “Milestone,” or “Deliverable.”
• Works with your existing setup: Use types alongside List or Space statuses and Custom Fields to capture the right info.
• Templates: Save task templates for each type to standardize checklists, descriptions, and fields.
• Mixed workflows in a List: Use multiple task types in the same List for cross-functional processes.
• Automations: Trigger or filter automations by task type to reduce manual work.
• Customizable views: Filter, group, or color tasks by type in List, Board, or Table views for instant clarity.
• Bulk actions: Update the task type for multiple tasks at once using the Bulk Action Toolbar.
• Filtering and search: Filter by task type in views and search for items by type in the Command Center.

Why Use Custom Task Types?

• Enhanced organization: Quickly filter, group, and report by type.
• Improved clarity: Make intent obvious—what is this task? A bug, a deliverable, a client request?
• Increased efficiency: Automations and templates aligned to type reduce manual steps and errors.
• Scalability: Add new types as your services or teams grow, without remapping your whole structure.

Real-World Use Cases

• Project management: Separate tasks, milestones, deliverables, change requests.
• CRM and intake: Differentiate leads, clients, opportunities, or tickets.
• Event planning: Plan items vs. logistics vs. post-event follow-ups.
• Product and QA: Bugs, features, improvements, spikes.

How to Set Up Custom Task Types in ClickUp

1. Create or Manage Task Types at the Workspace Level

• Only Workspace owners and admins can create, edit, or delete task types.
• Go to Workspace settings > Task Types.
• Click + Create Task Type.
• Choose an icon and color, set a name (max 16 characters), optionally add a description (max 100 characters), and save.
• Workspace-level task types become available everywhere in that workspace.
• You can edit, reorder, or archive types from the same page.

2. Assign a Task Type on a Task

• Open a task.
• Click the task type control near the task title (often shown as an icon or a “Type” field).
• Select the type (e.g., Bug, Feature, Lead).
• You can also set the type from the quick create modal or by right-clicking a task in a view.

3. Set a Default Type for a List (Optional)

• Open the List menu (three dots) > List settings.
• Choose Default task type and select which type new tasks should use.
• You can still change the type per task at any time.
• Setting a default does not update existing tasks in the List.

4. Use Task Type in Automations (Optional)

• Go to Automations for your Space or List.
• Create a rule using task type as a trigger or condition (e.g., When task is created AND type is Bug, then set priority to High and assign to QA).
• Combine with statuses, assignees, or Custom Fields for advanced workflows.

5. Edit or Delete Custom Task Types

• Only Workspace owners and admins can edit or delete types.
• When deleting a type, you can reassign existing tasks to another type. This action cannot be undone.