> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.telltandem.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chains

> Link tasks together into sequences and manage them as a unit.

## What is a chain?

A chain is a group of linked tasks that belong together — a sequence of steps, a multi-phase project, or any set of tasks that have a natural order. When you link two tasks, Tandem detects the connected cluster and treats it as a chain.

Chains give you a single place to track progress, manage deadlines, collaborate with others, and analyze where time tends to slip.

## Creating a chain

You don't create a chain explicitly — it forms automatically when you link tasks.

To link two tasks, open either task and use the **Link** button to connect it to another task. Choose a link type:

* **Blocks** — this task must be done before the other can start
* **Before** — this task comes before the other (softer ordering)
* **Relates to** — the tasks are connected but not strictly ordered

Once at least two tasks are linked, Tandem creates a chain and names it automatically based on the context. You can rename it at any time from the chain detail page.

Alternatively, the AI chat can help you build a chain: describe a multi-step plan and Tandem will propose a sequence of tasks with links already in place.

## The chain detail page

Click a chain from the **/chains** list to open its detail page. From here you can:

* View all tasks in the chain as a graph (nodes and edges showing dependencies)
* See each task's status, deadline, priority, and assignee at a glance
* Complete or reopen tasks directly
* Edit the chain name and event date
* Chat with Tandem to update deadlines and priorities across the whole chain at once
* Save the chain as a reusable template

### Tabs

| Tab          | What it shows                             |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Overview** | Task graph + task list                    |
| **Members**  | Who has access and their permission level |
| **Stats**    | Slippage charts and completion trends     |

## Chat-powered updates

From the chain detail page, you can describe changes in plain language:

```
Push everything back by two weeks — the client moved the kickoff
```

Tandem proposes the updated deadlines across all tasks. Review the proposed changes and confirm to apply them all at once.

## Collaborating on a chain

You can invite connections to a chain from the **Members** tab. Each member gets one of three permission levels:

| Permission       | What they can do                                          |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **View**         | See the chain and its tasks                               |
| **Edit content** | Update task details, mark tasks complete                  |
| **Full access**  | Everything above, plus invite others and rename the chain |

## Stats and slippage

The **Stats** tab shows how deadlines have shifted over time for tasks in the chain. Use this to understand:

* Which tasks tend to slip, and by how much
* How task completion rate has tracked against creation rate (cumulative flow)
* A timeline showing when each deadline moved and by how much

## Chain templates

You can save any chain as a template so you can reuse it in the future — see [Templates](/templates) for the full workflow.

## Viewing all chains

Go to **/chains** to see all your chains and chains shared with you. Each card shows the chain name, task count, and progress (completed / total tasks).