# Board Overview (https://yapl.app/en/docs/user-guides/kanban/board-overview)

# Board Overview

The Kanban board provides a visual representation of your plan's tasks organized by status columns. This guide covers understanding and navigating the board interface.

## Board Layout

### Header Area

The top of the board contains:
- Plan name and navigation
- View toggle (Kanban, Tasks, Timeline)
- Filter controls
- Search box
- Action buttons

### Column Area

The main area displays status columns:
- Columns arranged left to right
- Each column represents a workflow stage
- Column headers show status name and task count
- Tasks appear as cards within columns

### Card Area

Within each column, task cards display:
- Task name (primary)
- Assignee avatar
- Due date (if set)
- Priority indicator
- Progress bar

## Understanding Columns

### Default Columns

Standard columns in order:

| Column | Purpose | Position |
|--------|---------|----------|
| To Do | Tasks ready to start | First (left) |
| In Progress | Active work | Second |
| In Review | Awaiting review | Third |
| Completed | Finished tasks | Last (right) |

### Column Headers

Each column header shows:
- Status name
- Task count in parentheses
- Color indicator (if custom)

### Column Order

Columns flow left to right representing:
- Work moving through stages
- Progress from start to finish
- Logical workflow sequence

## Understanding Cards

### Card Anatomy

Each task card displays:

| Element | Location | Description |
|---------|----------|-------------|
| Task name | Top | Primary identifier |
| Assignee | Avatar icon | Who's responsible |
| Due date | Below name | When it's due |
| Priority | Color/badge | Urgency level |
| Progress | Bar | Completion percentage |

### Card States

Cards may appear differently based on:
- **Overdue** - Red indicator for past-due tasks
- **Due soon** - Yellow indicator for upcoming
- **No date** - Neutral appearance
- **Completed** - Checked or grayed

### Priority Indicators

Priority shown via:
- Color coding
- Badge or icon
- Position in column

| Priority | Indicator |
|----------|-----------|
| Critical | Red |
| High | Orange |
| Medium | Yellow |
| Low | Blue/Gray |

## Navigation

### Scrolling

Navigate the board:
- **Horizontal** - Scroll to see all columns
- **Vertical** - Scroll within columns for more cards
- Click and drag to pan
- Use scrollbar

### Column Visibility

If columns extend beyond screen:
- Scroll horizontally
- Use arrow indicators
- Collapse completed column if needed

### Card Interaction

Click a card to:
- View task details
- Edit task properties
- See full information

## Viewing Options

### Compact vs. Expanded

Cards may display in:
- **Compact mode** - Just essentials
- **Expanded mode** - More details visible

### Card Details Shown

Configure what appears on cards:
- Assignee
- Due date
- Progress
- Custom fields

### Column Width

Columns typically:
- Have fixed width
- Auto-adjust for content
- Support horizontal scroll

## Empty States

### Empty Columns

Columns with no tasks show:
- Empty state message
- Drop zone for moving tasks
- Helpful text

### Empty Board

If plan has no tasks:
- Guidance to create first task
- Link to add tasks
- Getting started help

## Board Statistics

### Quick Counts

The board may show:
- Total tasks per column
- Overall task count
- Completion percentage

### Status Summary

Visual summary of:
- Distribution across columns
- Work in progress
- Completed work

## Refreshing Data

### Automatic Updates

The board updates:
- When tasks change
- After drag-and-drop
- On navigation back

### Manual Refresh

To force refresh:
- Use refresh button
- Navigate away and back
- Reload the page

## Performance

### Large Plans

For plans with many tasks:
- Pagination within columns
- Lazy loading of cards
- Performance optimizations

### Optimization Tips

- Use filters to reduce visible tasks
- Focus on specific status
- Archive completed tasks

## Troubleshooting

### Cards Not Showing

- Check filter settings
- Verify tasks exist in plan
- Refresh the page
- Check task status matches columns

### Columns Missing

- Custom statuses may need configuration
- Check workspace settings
- Default columns should always show

### Slow Performance

- Filter to reduce tasks
- Clear browser cache
- Check network connection

## Keyboard Navigation

If supported:
- Tab through cards
- Arrow keys to navigate
- Enter to select
- Escape to deselect

## Related Topics

- [Moving Tasks](/docs/user-guides/kanban/moving-tasks) - Drag-and-drop
- [Filtering Tasks](/docs/user-guides/kanban/filtering-tasks) - Focus on tasks
- [Tasks](/docs/user-guides/tasks) - Task management