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

# Configure Auto-Scheduling

> Enable automatic rescheduling of dependent tasks in Nextedy GANTT so that when you move a predecessor, all successor tasks adjust their dates automatically based on dependency links.

export const LastReviewed = ({date}) => {
  if (!date) return null;
  const formatted = new Date(`${date}T00:00:00Z`).toLocaleDateString("en-US", {
    year: "numeric",
    month: "long",
    day: "numeric",
    timeZone: "UTC"
  });
  return <p className="mt-10 text-sm text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 not-prose">
      Last reviewed on {formatted}
    </p>;
};

## Prerequisites

* A working Gantt chart with dependency links configured (see [Create and Configure Dependency Links](/gantt/guides/dependencies/create-dependency-links))
* Access to Polarion **Administration > Configuration Properties** (for default settings) or the wiki page editor (for per-widget settings)

## Enable Auto-Scheduling by Default

To make auto-scheduling active on all Gantt widgets by default, set the following administration property:

1. Navigate to **Administration > Configuration Properties** (project or global level).
2. Add the property:

```
nextedy.gantt.default.auto_scheduling=true
```

This sets the default for new and existing Gantt widgets. The default value is `false`.

<Note title="Existing Widgets">
  This property serves as the default toggle. Once auto-scheduling is set on a specific widget, the widget-level setting takes precedence.
</Note>

## Toggle Auto-Scheduling at Runtime

Users can toggle auto-scheduling on and off using the toolbar button during an editing session. The auto-scheduling toggle is available in the Gantt toolbar when the chart is in edit mode.

When auto-scheduling is active:

* Moving a task automatically pushes successor tasks forward to maintain dependency constraints
* Shortening or extending a task adjusts the start dates of successors accordingly
* The rescheduling is triggered only when you change an item or modify a dependency link

## How Auto-Scheduling Works

Auto-scheduling enforces finish-to-start constraints between linked tasks. When you move Task A forward by 3 days, Task B (which depends on Task A) automatically shifts its start date forward by 3 days as well. This propagation continues through the entire dependency chain.

| Action                     | Result with Auto-Scheduling ON          | Result with Auto-Scheduling OFF        |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Move predecessor forward   | Successors shift forward                | Successors stay in place               |
| Shorten predecessor        | Successors may shift earlier            | No change                              |
| Create new dependency link | Successor adjusts to satisfy constraint | Dependency arrow drawn, no date change |
| Delete dependency link     | Successor dates unchanged               | Dependency arrow removed               |

<Warning title="No Built-in Conflict Detection for Concurrent Edits">
  Auto-scheduling operates on the client side during your editing session. If multiple users edit the same Gantt simultaneously, the last save wins. There is no built-in conflict detection for concurrent edits.
</Warning>

## Combine Auto-Scheduling with Manual Control

In complex project hierarchies, you may want auto-scheduling for lower-level tasks but manual control for top-level milestones. You can achieve this by:

* Using the `readonly` property on specific items via Item Script to prevent them from being moved by auto-scheduling
* Setting specific work item types to **Milestone** presentation mode, which treats them as fixed date markers

<Tip title="Mixed Scheduling Strategy">
  For waterfall projects where top-level phases have fixed dates but sub-tasks should auto-schedule within those phases, combine the parent bounds constraint with auto-scheduling. Enable auto-scheduling for task-level items and set parent items to Derived Schedule mode so they automatically span their children.
</Tip>

## Enable Critical Path Alongside Auto-Scheduling

Auto-scheduling pairs well with critical path analysis. To enable both:

```
nextedy.gantt.default.auto_scheduling=true
nextedy.gantt.default.critical_path=true
```

With both features active, the Gantt highlights the longest dependency chain in red while automatically maintaining schedule consistency when tasks are moved.

## Verification

After enabling auto-scheduling:

1. Open your Gantt chart in edit mode.
2. Verify the auto-scheduling toggle is active in the toolbar.
3. Drag a predecessor task to a new date.
4. You should now see all dependent successor tasks shift automatically to maintain the dependency constraint.

## See Also

* [Auto-Scheduling and Dependency Propagation](/gantt/concepts/auto-scheduling) -- conceptual background
* [Create and Configure Dependency Links](/gantt/guides/dependencies/create-dependency-links) -- set up the dependency links that auto-scheduling uses
* [Configure Advanced Dependency Types (FS, SS, FF, SF)](/gantt/guides/dependencies/advanced-dependency-types) -- use all four dependency types
* [Prevent Tasks from Moving Outside Parent Range](/gantt/guides/scheduling/prevent-moving-out-of-parent) -- combine with parent constraints

<LastReviewed date="2026-07-02" />