Custom fields

Attach structured data to any to-do, card, or message in Basecamp. Tags and statuses are the two field types everyone starts with, but you can add as many custom fields as you need.

Common field types

• Tags — multi-select, color-coded labels. Use for cross-cutting themes: bug, urgent, design, client-request.
• Status — a single-select workflow state you define (e.g. To do, In progress, In review, Blocked, Done).

Additional field types

Create your own fields for anything else you want to track:

• Text — free text (e.g. “Client name”)
• Number — numeric values (e.g. “Hourly rate”, “Estimate in hours”)
• Dropdown — single-select from a fixed list (e.g. “Priority: Low / Medium / High”)
• Multi-select — multiple values from a fixed list (e.g. “Platforms: Web, iOS, Android”)
• Date — a single date picker

Adding a value to an item

1. Open any to-do, card, or message in Basecamp.
2. Click the field chip injected by Assistant (Tags, Status, or any custom field you’ve defined).
3. Pick a value or create a new one.

Managing fields

Admins manage fields from Settings → Custom Fields in the Assistant web app:

• Create new fields, pick a type, define options.
• Scope a field to all projects or specific ones.
• Rename, recolor, merge, or delete existing fields.
• Lock fields so team members can’t create ad-hoc entries.

Filtering by field value

Every Basecamp to-do list, card table, and the Kanban board picks up a filter bar. Click a tag, status, or custom field value to show only matching items. Filters stack.

Tips

• Keep your status list short (5–7 max). Long lists slow down the Kanban board.
• Use tags for cross-cutting themes and status for workflow stage. Don’t duplicate the same concept in both.
• Use Automations to set field values automatically on triggers.