Fishladder

Project Dependencies

Dependencies let you express "blocks" relationships between projects. When project A blocks project B, an arrow is drawn on the Timeline view from A to B so your team can see the critical path at a glance.

How Dependencies Work

  • Add dependencies in Fishladder from a project's edit drawer (see Managing Dependencies below).
  • If your team is connected to Linear, "blocks" relationships between projects in Linear are pulled in when you sync, alongside the ones you added in Fishladder.
  • Each dependency has a type: Finish → Start (the default), Start → Start, Finish → Finish, or Start → Finish.
  • Dependency arrows appear on the Timeline view as lines connecting the end of the blocking project to the start of the dependent project, whatever the type.

Viewing Dependencies

Switch to the Timeline view (T) to see dependency arrows. Each arrow is drawn from the right edge of the blocking project bar to the left edge of the dependent project bar. If both projects are visible on screen, the arrow is rendered automatically.

Managing Dependencies

Open a project's edit drawer and expand the Dependencies section. It lists what the project Depends on and what it is Required by.

  • Click + Add dependency, search for the blocking project, pick a type, and add it.
  • Change a dependency's type from the dropdown on its row, or hover a Depends on row and click X to remove it.
  • A warning icon appears when a blocking project's target date falls after this project's start date.
  • When both projects are synced from Linear, adding or removing the dependency also creates or removes the relation in Linear; synced dependencies show a link icon. Dependencies involving a local project stay in Fishladder and are marked (local only).
  • Saving dependency changes requires an admin. Viewers see the section read-only.

Tips

  • Use planning dates alongside dependencies to model realistic timelines — if a blocking project slips, you can adjust the dependent project's dates locally.
  • Dependencies only display on the Timeline view. The Kanban board does not show dependency lines.