Trello
Trello is a Kanban-based work management tool. It allows you to create boards, lists, and cards to track tasks, collaborate with your team, and automate simple tasks.
- Getting started
- Using Trello
- Search, filter, and custom views
- Automation, Power-Ups, and integrations
- Share, export, and print
- Account settings, billing, and security
- Your Trello home page
- Trello Inbox
- Trello Planner
- Troubleshooting
Getting started
Quick scan
- Start here if you’re brand new to Trello.
- Build your first board using a simple flow.
- Invite teammates only after basics work.
- Add power features (views/automation) later.
Purpose / Outcome
Learn the minimum you need to start using Trello: create a board, add lists and cards, and understand what happens when you invite others.
- Goal: go from zero → your first working board in ~10 minutes.
- Outcome: you can capture tasks on cards, move them across lists, and share the board with a teammate.
- You’ll also know where core settings live (profile, billing, security).
- Cross-links: Using Trello, Search & views, Automation & Power-Ups.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this section if you’re brand new, or if you’re onboarding a teammate and want a consistent starting checklist.
- Solo planning: personal to-dos, study plan, content calendar.
- Small teams: lightweight project tracking without complex setup.
- When you need visual status at a glance (To do / Doing / Done).
- Skip if you already have an existing Workspace/board and just need power features.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
In Atlassian’s Trello documentation, “Getting started” is the entry point. From there, you’ll usually jump into “Using Trello” (boards/lists/cards).
- Docs path: Getting started → Using Trello → (views, automation, sharing).
- If you can’t find something: use Search tab in docs or Trello app search.
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security; Troubleshooting.
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Trello’s basic loop is: create a board → set lists as stages → add cards as work items → move cards as work progresses → review with views/filters.
- Create (or pick a template) for a board that matches your workflow.
- Define lists as stages or buckets (e.g., Backlog → Doing → Done).
- Capture work as cards; add details (members, due dates, checklists).
- Move cards between lists as status changes.
- Use views/filters to review, and share/export when needed.
Tip:Start simple. Add Power-Ups/automation after the board is working.
Objects & Terms
These are the objects you’ll see everywhere in Trello.
- Workspace: a collection of boards (and members) for a team or purpose.
- Board: the canvas for one project/workstream.
- List: columns that represent stages or categories.
- Card: a task or item; can include description, checklist, due date, members, attachments, labels.
- Power-Up: an add-on that connects features/integrations to a board.
- Automation: built-in no-code rules that trigger actions.
State machine / Lifecycle
Trello doesn’t force a single lifecycle, but most workflows use list movement as the state machine.
- State = the list the card is in (e.g., To do / Doing / Done).
- Transitions happen when someone moves a card to another list.
- Optional: use labels or due date states (overdue/complete) as secondary status.
- Expected outcome: a card’s position tells its current status without opening it.
Core jobs-to-be-done
Common starter jobs that Trello’s docs focus on in early usage.
- Create a board and lists for your workflow.
- Add cards and fill in key details (due dates, members, labels, attachments).
- Organize and prioritize (move cards, reorder, archive).
- Invite collaborators and manage access.
- Level up with views, Power-Ups, and automation.
Happy path workflow #1: Create your first board (10 minutes)
A fast path to a usable board you can work in immediately.
- Open Trello and create a new board (or start from a template).
- Name the board clearly (project + timeframe).
- Add 3–5 lists that represent your stages (e.g., Backlog, Doing, Done).
- Add 5–10 starter cards (one task per card).
- Open one card and add: description, checklist, due date, and assign a member (you).
- Drag cards to reorder priorities within a list.
- Move one card to the next list to confirm the flow works.
Expected outcome: You have a board with lists and cards that can be used daily.
Happy path workflow #2: Invite a teammate and collaborate
Use this when you’re ready to share your board with someone else.
- Open the board menu and choose to invite a member.
- Add the teammate by email or username.
- Confirm their permission level (member vs admin, if available).
- Assign them to 1–3 cards they own.
- Ask them to add a comment or checklist update on a card.
- Turn on watching (card/list/board) for items you want notifications about.
- Review activity and adjust roles if needed.
Expected outcome: Both people can update cards and see progress in one place.
Decision points
A few common forks when setting up your first board.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Do you need structure fast? | Use a template to start (then rename lists/cards). | Start blank and define your own lists. |
| Is your work time-based? | Use Calendar/Timeline views later. | Keep it simple with board view + due dates. |
| Are tasks repeating? | Add Automation or a repeating Power-Up. | Create manual checklists/cards until patterns are clear. |
| Sharing sensitivity? | Keep board private / Workspace-visible. | Use public/share links only when required. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Guardrails for the first week so your board stays usable.
- Do: keep list names action-oriented (Backlog/Doing/Done).
- Do: keep cards small and specific (one outcome per card).
- Do: use due dates + members for accountability.
- Don’t: create 15+ lists on day one (too much noise).
- Don’t: treat cards as chat threads; keep key decisions in the description/comments.
- Don’t: add many Power-Ups before your basics are working.
Permissions & Roles
Trello supports different admin capabilities at the Workspace and board level (varies by plan).
- Know who is a Workspace admin vs a board admin.
- For teams: decide who can create boards and who can invite guests.
- If you’re not an admin, ask an admin to adjust restrictions for your Workspace.
- Expected outcome: fewer accidental public boards or unwanted invites.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: mixing multiple projects on one board → Create one board per project or per team stream.
- Mistake: unclear ownership → assign members or create a dedicated “Owner” custom field if available.
- Mistake: overdue chaos → review due dates weekly with Calendar view or filtered cards.
- Mistake: status confusion → agree that list position is the source of truth.
- Mistake: too many notifications → watch only what matters; tune notification settings.
What good looks like
Use this as a quality bar for a “healthy” beginner board.
- Each list has a clear meaning and stays under control (not 200 cards).
- Every active card has an owner (member) and a next action.
- Due dates reflect reality; overdue cards are reviewed (not ignored).
- Cards move regularly—progress is visible without meetings.
- Power-Ups/automation support the workflow rather than defining it.
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check (before you start)
- Create or join the correct Workspace.
- Pick a template or blank board.
- Decide 3–5 lists (stages).
- Agree on card naming style.
- Decide who needs access.
Post-check (after setup)
- At least 5 starter cards exist.
- One card has details filled in.
- A card was moved through the flow.
- A teammate can access (if needed).
- You know where settings/billing live.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
Build a tiny board that you can delete later, just to practice.
- Create a board named “Practice – Trello Basics”.
- Add lists: Ideas, Doing, Done.
- Add 3 cards: one per list.
- On one card: add a due date, a checklist (3 items), and a label.
- Move the card from Doing to Done when you check items off.
- Optional: enable one Power-Up (e.g., Calendar) and view your due date.
Verify you did it right: you can see status from list position, and the due date appears in a view or on the card.
Official docs links
- Getting started (Docs hub)Entry point for new users.
- Create a boardStep-by-step board creation.
- What is Trello?High-level definition and basics.
Using Trello
Quick scan
- Core daily usage: boards, lists, and cards.
- Keep cards actionable with owners + due dates.
- Move cards to reflect status changes.
- Clean up weekly: archive and refine.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with boards, lists, and cards. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with boards, lists, and cards, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of boards, lists, and cards as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in boards, lists, and cards.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using boards, lists, and cards.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for boards, lists, and cards.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Access control matters when you collaborate.
- Decide who should be a board admin vs normal member.
- Use Workspace admin controls when you need global restrictions.
- Prefer inviting only the people who need access.
- Expected outcome: fewer accidental edits and safer sharing.
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Using Trello (Docs hub)Main collection of practical how-to articles.
- Create a boardBoard basics from official docs.
- Add and customize cards and listsEntry into card/list customization topics.
Search, filter, and custom views
Quick scan
- Find the right card fast (search vs filter).
- Use views (Calendar/Table/Timeline, etc.) to review work.
- Save searches when you repeat the same queries.
- Use filters to reduce noise on busy boards.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with search, filters, and views. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with search, filters, and views, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of search, filters, and views as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in search, filters, and views.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using search, filters, and views.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for search, filters, and views.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Search, filter, and custom views (Docs hub)Official docs landing page for search and views.
- Search for cards and boardsSearch syntax and tips.
- Filtering for cards on a boardHow filters differ from search.
Automation, Power-Ups, and integrations
Quick scan
- Automation is Trello’s built-in no-code rules engine.
- Power-Ups add features/integrations to a board.
- Start with 1–2 add-ons; document why.
- Review costs/limits by plan before scaling.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with automation and Power-Ups. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with automation and Power-Ups, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of automation and Power-Ups as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in automation and Power-Ups.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using automation and Power-Ups.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for automation and Power-Ups.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Access control matters when you collaborate.
- Decide who should be a board admin vs normal member.
- Use Workspace admin controls when you need global restrictions.
- Prefer inviting only the people who need access.
- Expected outcome: fewer accidental edits and safer sharing.
Data & Integrations
Use Power-Ups and integrations when they clearly support your workflow.
- Enable a Power-Up on the board only if you’ll use it weekly.
- Review what data the integration can access/share.
- Start with one integration at a time; document why you enabled it.
- Expected outcome: integrations reduce manual work, not add noise.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Automation, Power-Ups, and integrations (Docs hub)Official topic hub.
- Automation overviewWhat automation is and what it can do.
- Enable and manage a Power-Up on a boardHow to enable/disable/manage Power-Ups.
- What are Power-Ups?Concept overview.
- Get started with Trello's REST APIAPI basics (advanced).
Account settings, billing, and security
Quick scan
- Account settings control profile + notifications.
- Billing is usually managed at Workspace/plan level.
- Security includes login access and verification settings.
- Admins should document who owns billing/security.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with account, billing, and security. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with account, billing, and security, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of account, billing, and security as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in account, billing, and security.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using account, billing, and security.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for account, billing, and security.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Access control matters when you collaborate.
- Decide who should be a board admin vs normal member.
- Use Workspace admin controls when you need global restrictions.
- Prefer inviting only the people who need access.
- Expected outcome: fewer accidental edits and safer sharing.
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Account settings, billing, and security (Docs hub)Official docs hub.
- Can't log in or access TrelloAccess issues and security troubleshooting.
- Receive Trello notificationsNotification behaviors and settings.
Your Trello home page
Quick scan
- Home helps you jump between recent/starred boards.
- Use navigation + board switcher to move fast.
- Star key boards to reduce hunting.
- Treat Home as your launchpad, not your backlog.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with Home and navigation. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with Home and navigation, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of Home and navigation as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in Home and navigation.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using Home and navigation.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for Home and navigation.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Your Trello home page (Docs hub)Official docs hub for Home.
- Navigate TrelloNavigation bar and switching boards.
Trello Inbox
Quick scan
- Inbox captures items you want to triage into boards.
- Use it as a temporary holding area, not long-term storage.
- Create a short triage routine (daily/weekly).
- If Inbox isn’t in your plan/app, skip this tab.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with Trello Inbox capture + triage. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with Trello Inbox capture + triage, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of Trello Inbox capture + triage as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in Trello Inbox capture + triage.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using Trello Inbox capture + triage.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for Trello Inbox capture + triage.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Trello Inbox (Docs hub)Official docs hub for Inbox.
- Emails sent to Trello Inbox never arriveCommon delivery issue and configuration notes.
Trello Planner
Quick scan
- Planner is for planning work over time.
- Connect tasks/cards to a schedule mindset.
- Review regularly to keep it accurate.
- If Planner isn’t available in your workspace, skip.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with planning work with Trello Planner. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with planning work with Trello Planner, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of planning work with Trello Planner as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in planning work with Trello Planner.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using planning work with Trello Planner.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for planning work with Trello Planner.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Trello Planner (Docs hub)Official docs hub for Planner.
Troubleshooting
Quick scan
- Start with common fixes: browser/app, notifications, Power-Ups.
- Use official troubleshooting topics before experimenting.
- Capture reproduction steps for support/community.
- If it’s access/login related, jump to account/security.
Purpose / Outcome
This section helps you get practical with fixing common Trello issues. You’ll learn the minimum set of actions that unlock day‑to‑day use, plus guardrails to avoid messy boards.
- Outcome: you can complete common tasks confidently.
- You’ll also know which related docs area to jump to next.
- Keep changes small and iterate weekly.
Who is this for + When to use
Use this tab when you’re actively working in Trello and need to do real work with fixing common Trello issues, not just read about it.
- New team members onboarding to an existing board/Workspace.
- People standardizing a team workflow.
- Anyone cleaning up a board that’s starting to drift.
Where in navigation + Related tabs
This topic is a top-level area in Atlassian’s Trello documentation. Use cross-links when you hit boundaries.
- Related: Getting started (basics).
- Related: Account settings, billing, and security.
- Related: Troubleshooting (when something breaks).
Mental model / Flow (end-to-end)
Think of fixing common Trello issues as part of a loop: configure → use daily → review → refine.
- Set up the minimum structure needed.
- Use it consistently for a few days.
- Review what’s working (and what’s annoying).
- Refine names, rules, or permissions in small steps.
Aim for clarity > complexity. If a feature adds confusion, remove it.
Objects & Terms
Key terms you’ll see in this docs area.
- Boards, lists, and cards (core objects).
- Members, guests, and admins (access concepts).
- Views/filters (different ways to see your cards).
- Power-Ups & automation (extensions).
State machine / Lifecycle
Most Trello state is represented by where cards live and what attributes they carry.
- List position = primary status.
- Due dates introduce time status (due soon / overdue / completed).
- Archiving is the usual end state for completed clutter.
- Expected outcome: you can tell what’s happening without opening every card.
Core jobs-to-be-done
These are the most common things people do in fixing common Trello issues.
- Create/organize items quickly.
- Add details that help execution (owners, due dates, checklists).
- Keep boards readable (reorder, filter, archive).
- Coordinate with others (comments, notifications, sharing).
Happy path workflow #1
A reliable “daily” flow using fixing common Trello issues.
- Open the board you work from most often.
- Identify today’s priorities (top of Backlog/To do).
- Move 1–3 cards into Doing (limit work-in-progress).
- Update card details (due date, checklist, owner).
- When work changes status, move the card to the next list.
- End of day: add a comment update and adjust due dates if needed.
Expected outcome: status and next actions stay visible and current.
Happy path workflow #2
A “weekly review” flow for fixing common Trello issues.
- Scan lists for stuck cards (no movement for days).
- Filter or search for overdue / due-soon cards.
- Archive cards that are truly done and no longer needed.
- Rename or split cards that are too big.
- Create a small set of next-week priorities.
- Optionally add a rule/automation to reduce repetitive cleanup.
Expected outcome: the board stays lean and useful over time.
Decision points
Common A/B choices you’ll make while using this area.
| Decision point | Choose A | Choose B |
|---|---|---|
| Is this item actionable? | Make it a card with an owner + next step. | Store as a note/idea (separate list or card without due date). |
| Is the board getting noisy? | Archive done cards and reduce lists. | Split into multiple boards or use filters/views. |
| Do you need consistency across boards? | Use templates and agreed naming conventions. | Allow each board to evolve independently. |
| Is a task recurring? | Use automation or repeating patterns. | Manually duplicate until the pattern stabilizes. |
Do / Don’t & Pitfalls
Practical guardrails.
- Do: keep naming consistent (lists/cards).
- Do: move cards as soon as status changes.
- Do: use checklists for multi-step tasks.
- Don’t: overload a card with unrelated work.
- Don’t: keep “Done” lists unbounded—archive regularly.
- Don’t: rely on memory; write the next action on the card.
Permissions & Roles
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Data & Integrations
Not applicable for this tool/tab (not covered in the official docs navigation for this area).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake: too many cards with no owners → assign members or clarify responsibility.
- Mistake: unclear done-definition → agree what “Done” means and archive regularly.
- Mistake: duplicate information across cards → link or consolidate.
- Mistake: relying on labels as the main status → use list movement as primary status.
- Mistake: adding tools/features before habits → establish habits first, then optimize.
What good looks like
A quick quality bar to aim for.
- You can scan the board in under 60 seconds and understand status.
- Cards have enough detail to execute without extra meetings.
- Stale/duplicate items are cleaned up weekly.
- Collaboration is visible (comments, assignments, due dates).
Checklist: Pre-check + Post-check
Pre-check
- Know the goal of the board/feature.
- Have a small set of lists/stages.
- Agree on ownership rules.
- Decide notification expectations.
- Know where settings live.
Post-check
- Work is captured as cards.
- Status changes are reflected by movement.
- Overdue items are reviewed.
- Noise is archived/removed.
- Team knows the routine.
Practice lab (5–15 min)
A small exercise to reinforce the tab’s concepts.
- Pick one real task you’ll do today.
- Create or open a card for it.
- Add: a checklist (3–5 steps) and a due date.
- Assign the right owner.
- Move the card through at least one status change.
- Leave a short comment update.
Verify you did it right: someone else can understand the next step just by opening the card.
Official docs links
- Troubleshooting (Docs hub)Official troubleshooting landing page.
- Troubleshooting browser issues with TrelloBrowser-focused fixes.
- Troubleshooting a slow boardPerformance guidance.
- Troubleshooting Trello desktop and mobileApp troubleshooting entry.
