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

# Creating Items

> Add initiatives, epics, stories, tasks, and bugs to your roadmap

## Overview

Items are the building blocks of your roadmap. Wey supports five item types, each serving a different purpose in your product planning hierarchy.

## Item Types

| Type           | Icon | Purpose                        | Example                              |
| -------------- | ---- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| **Initiative** | 🎯   | Large strategic efforts        | "Mobile App Launch Q2"               |
| **Epic**       | 📦   | Major features or deliverables | "User Authentication System"         |
| **Story**      | 📘   | User-facing functionality      | "As a user, I can reset my password" |
| **Task**       | ✅    | Specific work items            | "Implement password reset API"       |
| **Bug**        | 🐛   | Issues to be fixed             | "Login button unresponsive on iOS"   |

## Creating a New Item

### Method 1: Add Item Button

1. Click the **+ Add Item** button in the toolbar
2. Select the item type from the dropdown
3. Fill in the item details

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wey/images/placeholder-add-item-button.png" alt="Add Item Button" />
</Frame>

### Method 2: Quick Add (Timeline View)

1. Double-click on the timeline at your desired start date
2. Enter the item name
3. Set the item type and other details

### Method 3: Context Menu

1. Right-click on an existing item
2. Select **Add Child Item** to create a child
3. Select the item type and enter details

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wey/images/placeholder-context-menu.png" alt="Context Menu" />
</Frame>

## Item Properties

When creating an item, you can set the following properties:

### Required Fields

| Field    | Description                           |
| -------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Name** | The item's display title              |
| **Type** | Initiative, Epic, Story, Task, or Bug |

### Optional Fields

| Field                  | Description                        |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Description**        | Detailed description or user story |
| **Start Date**         | When work begins                   |
| **End Date**           | Target completion date             |
| **Product Area**       | Assign to a product area           |
| **Parent**             | Link to a parent item              |
| **Strategic Priority** | Align to a strategic priority      |
| **Goal**               | Link to a specific goal            |

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wey/images/placeholder-item-form.png" alt="Item Form" />
</Frame>

## Setting Dates

Items can have start and end dates to appear on the timeline:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Item Details">
    Click on an item to open its detail panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Start Date">
    Click the start date field and select a date from the calendar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set End Date">
    Click the end date field and select your target completion date.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can also drag items directly on the Timeline View to set or adjust dates.
</Tip>

## Assigning to Product Areas

Link items to product areas for organizational grouping:

1. Open the item details
2. Click the **Product Area** dropdown
3. Select from your configured product areas

<Info>
  Items assigned to product areas will appear in their respective swimlanes on the Timeline View.
</Info>

## Linking to Strategic Priorities

Connect items to your strategic priorities:

1. Open the item details
2. Click the **Priority** dropdown
3. Select a strategic priority

This helps demonstrate how work aligns with your product strategy.

## Creating Child Items

Build hierarchy by adding children to existing items:

1. Open the parent item
2. Click **Add Child Item**
3. Select the child item type
4. Fill in the details

Or use the context menu (right-click) in any view.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wey/images/placeholder-add-child.png" alt="Add Child Item" />
</Frame>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Start with Initiatives">
    Begin by creating high-level initiatives, then break them down into epics and stories.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Consistent Naming">
    Establish naming conventions for your team (e.g., user stories in "As a user..." format).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Always Set Dates">
    Items without dates won't appear on the timeline. Set at least approximate dates for visibility.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Assign Product Areas">
    Always assign items to product areas for better organization and filtering.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Item Hierarchy" icon="sitemap" href="/docs/items/item-hierarchy">
    Learn about parent-child relationships.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Editing Items" icon="pen" href="/docs/items/editing-items">
    Update and manage existing items.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>