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Task Rules

Coming Soon

The Task Rules tab is currently disabled in the application. The content below describes the planned functionality and will apply once the feature is re-enabled.

Automate task behavior within Task Catalogs to save time and ensure consistency across projects.

What are Task Rules?​

Task Rules are automated behaviors set up within Task Catalogs. They help you control which tasks belong in a project, when they should appear, and how they should be set up based on the project's details.

⚠️ Important Distinction​

Task Rules are strictly for pre-setup and timing within Task Catalogs (Selection, Timing, Setup). They determine if and when a task is created and how it is populated initially.

Task Rules cannot:

  • Send email notifications
  • Trigger actions based on status changes (e.g., "when status changes to Completed")
  • Update project-level fields outside of the task creation event

For these advanced automations, use the Workflows & Notifications module.

Rule Types​

1. Selection Rules​

Use these to filter which tasks from a catalog are relevant to a specific project.

  • Why use it: Avoid cluttering projects with tasks that don't apply.
  • Example: "Only include 'Pool Inspection' if the Project Type is set to 'Residential'."
  • How it works: Compass checks the rule when the catalog is applied. If the conditions aren't met, the task simply isn't added to the project.

2. Timing Rules​

Control exactly when tasks appear on your project timeline.

  • Why use it: Reveal tasks "just in time" so the team isn't overwhelmed by long lists on Day 1.
  • Example: "Create the 'Final Review' task 10 days before the 'Project Completion' date."
  • Trigger Options:
    • Based on the Project Start Date
    • Based on the Target Completion Date
    • Based on specific Project Milestones

3. Setup Rules​

Automatically fill in task details like priority or assignees based on project information.

  • Why use it: Ensure the right people are assigned and the right priority is set without manual entry.
  • Example: "If the Project Region is 'West Coast', automatically set the Task Assignee to the 'West Coast Lead'."
  • What you can automate:
    • Due Date offsets
    • Assignees (by Role)
    • Task Priority
    • Project Tags

Where to Manage Rules​

Rules can be configured at two levels:

Catalog-Level Rules​

  1. Open a Task Catalog.
  2. Navigate to the Rules tab.
  3. Click Add Rule.
  4. Define your Conditions (the "If") and your Actions (the "Then").
  5. Save the catalog.

These rules apply across all items in the catalog.

Item-Level Rules​

  1. Open a Catalog Item.
  2. Navigate to the Task Applicability & Timing tab.
  3. Configure applicability and timing rules specific to this item.

Note: The Task Applicability & Timing tab is only visible when the item has non-default rule settings (i.e., it doesn't apply to all projects with default creation timing) and no project-based overrides are configured.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Q: Can I have multiple rules on the same catalog?

A: Yes! You can have as many rules as you need. Just be careful they don't conflict with each other.

Q: Do rules run on existing tasks or only new ones?

A: It depends on the trigger. "On task created" only affects new tasks. "On date" rules run on all matching tasks.

Q: What if my rule stops working?

A: Check the Rules tab — the rule might have been disabled. Also verify that field names haven't changed.

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