---
title: "Adding sub-tasks to a task"
description: "Break a task into a checklist of sub-tasks, group them into named lists, and nest them to any depth."
category: collaboration
section: projects-and-tasks
type: Tutorial
lastUpdated: 2026-08-09
locale: en
canonical: https://support.talkspirit.com/en/collaboration/how-to-add-subtasks-to-a-task
---

# Adding sub-tasks to a task


You add sub-tasks from the **Sub-tasks** section of any task you can edit: click **Add**, type a name, and press `Enter`. Sub-tasks break a task into a checklist of smaller steps that you can organise into named lists. Each sub-task is itself a task, so you can open it and give it its own sub-tasks, nesting to any depth you need.

## Before you start

You can add sub-tasks to any task you are able to edit. You do not need to be assigned to the task.

## Add a sub-task

1. Open the task from its board.
2. In the **Sub-tasks** section, click **Add**.
3. Type the sub-task name, then press `Enter`.

The field stays open, so you can add several sub-tasks one after another. Press `Escape` to close it.

![The Sub-tasks section of an open task, showing four sub-tasks with one checked as done, and the Add list and Add sub-task buttons in the section header](/images/collaboration/how-to-add-subtasks-to-a-task/subtasks-section.png)

> **Note:** Sub-tasks always stay in the same section as their parent task; they cannot be moved to another section.

## Group sub-tasks into lists

Once a task has at least one sub-task, the **Add list** button appears next to **Add sub-task** in the section header. Click **Add list** to create a named list, name it in the **Name your list** field, then add sub-tasks under it. Lists let you keep separate checklists, for example one per phase, inside the same task.

## Nest sub-tasks deeper

Every sub-task is a task in its own right. Open a sub-task to see its own **Sub-tasks** section and add sub-tasks to it. There is no limit on how deep you can nest. When you open a sub-task, a breadcrumb at the top of the panel shows its parent task, so you always know where it sits in the hierarchy.

## Next steps

- [Adding, editing, archiving, and deleting tasks](/collaboration/how-to-add-edit-archive-and-delete-tasks)
- [Duplicating a task](/collaboration/how-to-duplicate-a-task)
- [Moving a task to another board](/collaboration/how-to-move-task-to-another-board)
- [List, Board, Timeline and Calendar project views](/collaboration/kanban-hierarchy-list-timeline-task-board-views)