> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/field-operations/tasks/how-tasks-are-created-and-organized.md).

# How tasks are created and organized

The Tasks page is your team's follow-up queue. Tasks are created automatically as things happen across Essential: a customer responds to a recurring service request, a visit is left without a summary, a quote is signed, an invoice goes overdue, an inspection turns up deficiencies, or a customer submits your intake form.

Each task lands in a folder based on what created it, and the folders are organized into groups in the left sidebar: Recurring Services, Quotes, Jobs, Invoices, Deficiencies, and Service Requests.

You clear a task from the active list by marking it done (moving its status to a done stage); done tasks drop out of the folder's count. Jobs tasks can also be moved to a different folder; for every other type you change the status, not the folder.

Your business can also set up Task Automations in Settings so tasks move to the right status automatically when someone takes an action, such as creating a visit from an approved recurring-service task, resending a bounced quote, creating an invoice from a job task, or marking an invoice paid.

How you handle a task is up to you and your workflow. The Quotes, Invoices, and Service Requests groups appear based on your permissions and setup. Most tasks also have Quick Actions - one-click shortcuts at the top of the task that start the likely next step, such as creating a visit, an invoice, or a quote straight from the task.

You can ask Essential what's in a folder or what needs attention.

> **Where to find it:** Tasks page (main navigation, Tasks); folders are grouped in the left sidebar

## Related guides

* [The Tasks inbox: folders, status filters, and search](/field-operations/tasks/the-tasks-inbox-folders-status-filters-and-search.md)
* [Task folder and subfolder meanings](/field-operations/tasks/task-folder-and-subfolder-meanings.md)
* [Automate task statuses with Task Automations](/administration/settings/automate-task-statuses-with-task-automations.md)
* [What creates Deficiencies tasks](/field-operations/tasks/what-creates-deficiencies-tasks.md)
* [What creates Invoices tasks](/field-operations/tasks/what-creates-invoices-tasks.md)
* [What creates Jobs tasks (and moving them between folders)](/field-operations/tasks/what-creates-jobs-tasks-and-moving-them-between-folders.md)
* [What creates Quotes tasks](/field-operations/tasks/what-creates-quotes-tasks.md)


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