Auto-set due date when status changes (from today)
Auto-set due date when status changes (from today)
TL;DR: When a subitem's status changes to a specific label, automatically set its due date to today + a fixed offset. SLA-style: "now you have N days to finish." Setup takes 3 minutes.
What this does
Recipe:"When subitem's status changes to something, set its date to today + offset."
The trigger is the status change. The date set is today (the moment of the status change) plus your offset.
When to use it
SLA workflows: "task moved to Active → due in 5 days from now"
Time-based handoffs: "task moved to Review → due in 2 days"
Anytime the deadline should start counting from when work activates, not when the subitem was created or anchored to the parent
Before you start
A Status column on the subitem (the trigger)
A Date column on the subitem (the date being set)
Decide which Status label triggers the deadline + the offset
Set it up (3 minutes)
Open Automate → Create on your board.
Copy the recipe text above and find it in your board's automation center, then click Use Template.
Configure:
Status column + Status value — the trigger
Date column — the date being set
Offset — direction (+/−), amount, unit
Click Create automation.
Test that it works
Change a subitem's status to the trigger label.
Confirm its date = today + your offset.
Common gotchas
Status values are case-sensitive. "In Progress" ≠ "in progress".
"Today" is the moment of status change, not midnight or the start of the day.
For different SLAs per status, set up multiple automations (one per status label).