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Task Lists & Interactive Checkboxes0%
Task Lists & Interactive Checkboxes
Beginner12 min read•Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Task lists (also known as todo lists or checklist items) are one of the most widely used features in modern agile software development. In platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Linear, task lists render as interactive, clickable checkboxes that allow teams to track progress directly within issues, pull requests, and project boards.
Click to Zoom1. Task List Syntax (GFM Extension)
To create a task list item, start with an unordered list marker (-, *, or +), followed by a space, a pair of square brackets ([ ]), another space, and your task description:
- [ ] Incomplete task item (Unchecked)
- [x] Completed task item (Checked)
- [X] Also completed (Uppercase X is supported)
Rendered Output:
- Incomplete task item (Unchecked)
- Completed task item (Checked)
Crucial Spacing Rule:
- Incomplete:
- [ ] text (Must have a single space between the brackets: [ + + ])
- Completed: - [x] text (Can be lowercase x or uppercase X)
- Common Error: -[ ] or -[x] without a leading space will fail to render as a checkbox!2. Interactive Behavior on GitHub & GitLab
When task lists are placed in a GitHub Issue or Pull Request description:
- 1Clickable State: You can click the checkbox directly in the web browser to toggle its state between checked and unchecked without opening the Markdown raw editor!
- 2Issue Header Counter: GitHub displays an automated completion indicator in the issue title bar (e.g., "3 of 5 tasks").
- 3PR Merge Checks: Some teams configure automated CI checks that block merging a Pull Request until all task list items (
[ ]) are marked as completed ([x]).
3. Nested & Multi-Level Task Lists
You can nest task lists hierarchically to represent parent epics and child sub-tasks:
- [ ] Release v2.0 Roadmap
- [x] Complete security audit
- [x] Refactor database queries
- [ ] Write user migration guide
- [ ] Deploy to staging environment
Interactive Quiz
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1
Which specification introduced task lists with interactive checkboxes?
Question 2
How do you mark a task list item as 'completed' in Markdown source text?
Question 3
What must be placed between the square brackets to represent an incomplete/unchecked task?
Question 4
What happens when you click a task list checkbox inside a GitHub Pull Request description?
Question 5
What HTML elements are typically generated for a GFM task list item?
Next Lesson
Links: Inline, Reference & Automatic URLs
Continue learning with hands-on practice, examples, and exercises in the upcoming topic.
Related Lessons
| Previous Lesson | Next Lesson |
|---|---|
| Ordered Lists & Nested Outlines | Links: Inline, Reference & Automatic URLs |
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding of this lesson with 5 questions. Each question has one correct answer.