# Sub-tasks, dependencies and recurring tasks

Switch on task dependencies and recurring tasks for a project, split a task into sub-tasks, say which tasks block another, and let a task come back on a schedule.

Large tasks are easier to follow in pieces, some tasks cannot start before others end, and some come back every week. Each of these is a field of the task; dependencies and recurrence are first switched on for the project.

## Before you start {#before-you-start}

- Changing a project's options needs the **Administrator** access right on **Project**.
- Sub-tasks need nothing more: every project has them.

## Switch the options on for a project {#project-options}

1. Open **Project/Configuration/Projects** and click the project, here Research & Development.
2. Open the **Settings** tab. Under **Tasks Management**, tick **Recurring Tasks**, **Task Dependencies** or **Milestones** ([Milestones and project updates](milestones-and-project-updates)).

![Recurring tasks, task dependencies and milestones are switched on for each project, in its Settings tab.](https://jaah.app/web/image/14975-164cb956/projects-sub-tasks-dependencies-and-recurring-tasks-project_options-en.png)

3. Save. The options apply to this project only; another project keeps its own.

## Split a task into sub-tasks {#sub-tasks}

1. Open the task and its **Sub-tasks** tab, then click **Add a line**.
2. Type the title of the sub-task and save the task.

![A sub-task typed on its own line; it is saved with the task and takes the task's project and assignees.](https://jaah.app/web/image/14991-0a5fa8c9/projects-sub-tasks-dependencies-and-recurring-tasks-sub_task_line-en.png)

The sub-task takes the project, the assignees, the tags and the milestone of its parent, and you can change each of them on its own form, opened with **View**. The parent shows a **Sub-tasks** button with how many are done, and the time logged on sub-tasks counts in the parent's progress. On the board, the sub-tasks of the same project are hidden unless you choose **Show Sub-Tasks** in the menu next to the search bar.

To turn an existing task into a sub-task, or a sub-task back into a task, open it and choose **Actions**, **Convert to Task/Sub-Task**: pick the parent task, or leave it empty, and click **Convert Task**.

## Say which tasks block another {#dependencies}

Once **Task Dependencies** is on, the task form has a **Blocked By** tab. Click **Add a line** there and pick the tasks that must be finished first.

![The tasks that must be finished before this one can start.](https://jaah.app/web/image/14998-f81e1a62/projects-sub-tasks-dependencies-and-recurring-tasks-blocked_by-en.png)

While one of them is still open, the blocked task takes the state **Waiting**; it goes back to **In Progress** by itself once they are all **Done** or **Cancelled**. The task that blocks others shows a **Blocked Tasks** button.

## Make a task come back {#recurrence}

Once **Recurring Tasks** is on, a repeat button stands next to the **Deadline** of each task.

![With Recurring Tasks on, a repeat button stands next to the deadline of every task of the project.](https://jaah.app/web/image/14982-b2353cbe/projects-sub-tasks-dependencies-and-recurring-tasks-recurring_button-en.png)

1. Click it. **Repeat Every** appears with three fields: a number, a unit (**Days**, **Weeks**, **Months** or **Years**) and **Forever** or **Until** with an **End Date**.
2. Save the task.

When the task is marked **Done** or **Cancelled**, a copy of it is created at once with its deadline moved by the interval. With **Until**, no copy is created past the end date. A **Recurring Tasks** button on the form lists all the occurrences.

## FAQ {#faq}

### I see no Blocked By tab on my task. {#no-blocked-by}

**Task Dependencies** is off for its project. Tick it in the project's **Settings** tab.

### The next occurrence of my recurring task did not appear. {#no-next-occurrence}

The copy is created only when the latest occurrence is closed, **Done** or **Cancelled**; nothing is created on a date. With **Until**, check the end date.

### Does closing a parent task close its sub-tasks? {#closing-parent}

No. Each sub-task keeps its own state; close them one by one, or from the list of the **Sub-tasks** button.

### Can a sub-task belong to another project? {#sub-task-project}

Yes. Change **Project** on the sub-task's form: it stays linked to its parent and shows on the board of its own project.

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- Source: https://jaah.app/docs/projects/sub-tasks-dependencies-and-recurring-tasks
- Updated: 2026-10-28
- Version: Projects and timesheets 19.0.1.4
- Verified: 2026-10-28