Get started with shift tasks
Shift tasks let you attach a checklist to any shift on the roster, so staff know exactly what needs doing on site — an opening or closing run-sheet, a cleaning schedule, or a compliance check — and you get proof it got done. Checklist items can require a photo or a note, giving you a timestamped record instead of a verbal assurance.
Templates make this repeatable: build a checklist once and apply it across shifts and sites, rather than typing the same list out every time. This guide explains how to activate shift tasks, create your first checklist template, and duplicate an existing template so you can reuse and adapt it.
Shift tasks is currently in beta, so you may see a BETA label next to Tasks in your account while the feature continues to be refined.
1. Activate shift tasks
Before you can build a checklist template, you need to turn shift tasks on for your account. This is a one-off step — once activated, Tasks appears as its own item in the main menu and checklists become available to attach to shifts on the roster.
1.1 Activate shift tasks in settings
1.1.1 Press Settings.
1.1.2 Select Tasks.
1.1.3 Toggle Enable Tasks on.
1.1.4 Press Save.
2. Create a shift task template
Once shift tasks is activated, you can build a checklist template. A template can hold as many checklist items as you need, and each item can optionally require a photo or a note before staff can complete it — useful for compliance checks like fridge temperatures, or routine jobs like cleaning tasks.
2.1 Open tasks
2.1.1 Press Tasks in the main menu.
2.2 Build your checklist template
2.2.1 Press the plus (+) icon to create a new task template.
2.2.2 Add a template name.
2.2.3 Press the plus (+) icon to add checklist items.
2.2.4 Add a descriptor for the checklist item.
2.2.5 Toggle Requires Photo, if a photo should be required to complete this item (optional).
2.2.6 Toggle Requires Note, if a note should be required to complete this item (optional).
2.2.7 Click and drag an item using the handle on the left to reorder your checklist.
2.2.8 Press the red X to delete a checklist item.
2.2.9 Press Create.
3. Duplicate a shift task template
Rather than rebuilding a similar checklist from scratch, you can duplicate an existing template and adjust it — handy when different sites need mostly the same checklist with a few local differences.
3.1 Duplicate and edit a template
3.1.1 Press the duplicate icon on the template you want to copy.
3.1.2 Press Duplicate to confirm.
3.1.3 Click on your duplicated template.
3.1.4 Make your changes.
3.1.5 Press Update.
Related guides: Adding shifts on your roster, Enable and manage shift notes for staff in RosterElf, Complete a shift task on the RosterElf app, Complete shift tasks on the Timeclock app.
Frequently asked questions
1. How do I activate shift tasks in RosterElf?
To activate shift tasks, open Settings, select Tasks, toggle Enable Tasks on, and press Save. Once enabled, Tasks appears in the main menu and checklists can be attached to shifts on the roster. If you switch Tasks off again, any existing templates are saved and return when you turn it back on.
2. How do I create a shift task template?
Open Tasks from the main menu, press the plus (+) icon, and enter a template name. Press the plus icon under Add Checklist Items to add each task, then press Create to save the template.
3. Can I require a photo or note for a checklist item?
Yes. Toggle Requires Photo or Requires Note on any checklist item to make staff attach a photo or add a note before they can mark that item complete.
4. Can I reorder or delete checklist items in a template?
Yes. Click and drag an item using the handle on the left to reorder your checklist, or press the red X next to an item to delete it.
5. How do I duplicate a shift task template?
Press the duplicate icon next to a template in the Task Templates list, then press Duplicate to confirm. Open the new copy, rename it and make any changes, then press Update to save it — handy for reusing a checklist across different sites or shifts.