---
updatedAt: 2026-10-10T00:58:11.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.atono.io/llms.txt
---

# Linked items

Connect related work items for better visibility and collaboration.

Link stories and bugs to track dependencies, show how pieces of work relate, and keep connected work visible as it moves forward. For example, if a bug is blocking a story, linking them lets everyone see the connection so the team can prioritize the fix. You can also link stories that contribute to the same goal, such as coordinated changes across services or several pieces of one feature.

When you link two items, each one appears in the other's 'Linked items' list, so you can move between related work from either side.

<br />

***

# Link items

You can link stories and bugs to other stories and bugs. Epics can't be linked. Links are two-way, so you only need to add a link from one of the items.

Links can also be created when you duplicate a story or bug and choose to link the copy to the original, or when you accept a duplicate bug suggestion. For more details, see [Copy a story](https://docs.atono.io/docs/stories#copy-a-story), [Copy a bug](https://docs.atono.io/docs/bugs#copy-a-bug), and [Duplicate bug suggestions](https://docs.atono.io/docs/bugs#duplicate-bug-suggestions).

<br />

## Link an existing item

1. In the item's details panel, next to 'Linked items', click the **plus** (+) symbol.
2. Search for an item by Item ID, title, or description, or select one from the 'Suggested items' or 'Recently created' sections.
   * Items on private team backlogs you're not a member of don't appear in the list.
3. Select the item to link.

The item is added to the 'Linked items' list on both items.

**Suggested items**

Atono may show a 'Suggested items' section with items that look related to the current item, based on similarities in their content. Suggestions appear only when:

* Your workspace has at least 25 items.
* The suggested item has more than 100 characters of content.
* The suggested item isn't on a private team backlog.

<br />

## Link to a new item

When you realize while working on an item that something new needs to be tracked, such as a story for extra requirements or a bug that needs fixing, you can create it and link it in one step.

1. In the item's details panel, next to 'Linked items', click the **plus** (+) symbol.
2. At the bottom of the list, click **+ Create a new item**.
3. Select **Story** or **Bug**.
4. Write the new item in the draft editor.
   * You can move to other areas of Atono while you're writing the draft, and the link is kept.
5. Click **Create** to save the item and add it to the 'Linked items' list.

<br />

***

# View linked items

The 'Linked items' section of the details panel shows how many items are linked and lists each one with:

* **Workflow step icon**: Where the item is in its workflow.
* **Item type icon**: Whether the item is a story or a bug.
* **Risk rating**: The bug's risk rating, for bugs that have one.
* **Item ID and title**: The item's Item ID and the start of its title.

Hover over a linked item to see its full title, workflow step, team backlog, and assignee, along with its product theme and timebox when it has them. Click a linked item to open it.

If a linked item is on a private team backlog you're not a member of, its title is hidden, and you can't open the item or see its details.

**Workflow step icons**

The workflow step icon's shape shows which workflow the item is in, and its color shows the step within that workflow (for example, 'To do', 'In progress', or 'Won't do').

* **Light bulb**: Story refinement
* **Bug**: Bug triage
* **Circle**: A team's workflow

<br />

***

# Remove a linked item

Remove links that are outdated or were added by mistake to keep the 'Linked items' list relevant. Removing a link removes it from both items.

1. In the 'Linked items' list, hover over the item you want to remove.
2. Click the **X**.

<br />

***

# Linked item activity

Atono records linked item activity in the Activities list of both items, including when items are linked or unlinked. Each entry includes the linked item's Item ID and title, unless the item is on a private team backlog you're not a member of.

To show only linked item activity, filter the Activities list by the 'Linked items' type.

For more details, see [Filter by type](https://docs.atono.io/docs/activities#filter-by-type).

<br />