Link Blocking Work Items in Plane with Correct Direction
Use Add dependency on a Plane work item and choose Blocked by or Blocking. These relationships record work order without duplicating either item.
You need edit permission on the work item. Blocking relationships are always available; richer start/finish dependencies require the timeline-dependencies feature on an eligible edition.
Example: the checkout release cannot start until the retry API is ready. From the release item, choose Blocked by and select the API item, then check the reverse relationship.
Step-by-step guide
Identify the blocked outcome
Open the downstream item and read what it needs before work can begin. Confirm there is a genuine dependency rather than merely a related topic or shared label.
Choose the correct direction
Click Add dependency below the description. Select Blocked by when this item waits on the other; select Blocking when this item prevents the other from starting.
Select the existing prerequisite
Search for the other work item and select it. Switch search to the whole workspace if it lives in another project, and inspect its ID before confirming.
Inspect both ends and dates
Check the Dependencies section on both items. When timeline dependencies are enabled, set the relevant due/start dates and review any red connector indicating a schedule conflict.
Common mistakes
Using Relates to as a blocker
A relation describes association; a dependency describes execution order. Use the dependency control when delivery is actually waiting.
Sources and verification
Based on product documentation checked on 2026-11-04. This is a documentation-based guide, not a hands-on benchmark. Features and availability can change.