# Work item hierarchy

Use **Show hierarchy** to focus the board on one level of Jira's work item hierarchy. For example, show epics as cards with their direct stories, tasks, and bugs underneath.

## Choose a hierarchy level

1. Open **Display → Show hierarchy**.
2. Choose a level, such as **Epic**. The options use the work type names configured in the Jira spaces on the board. A level can include several work types.
3. Select **Save** in the board toolbar to keep the setting with the view.

Choose **None (individual cards)** to show all matching work items as separate cards. Older views that already nest subtasks may still show **Subtasks under parent** until you choose a different option.

## See child work and progress

The **Child work items** summary shows the number of completed children out of the total and a progress ring before you expand it. For example, **2/5** means two of the five direct children are in the Done status category. Hover over or focus the summary to see the breakdown of completed, in-progress, and remaining work. When all children are complete, the summary shows the Done icon.

Select the summary to expand the direct children. Select a child's name to open it in Jira or select its status to use the [status picker](/betterboard/work-faster/inline-editing/#status-transitions). Jira workflow and edit permissions apply. The progress summary refreshes after status changes.

## How hierarchy affects the board

- Filters, search, columns, grouping, and WIP limits apply to the cards at the selected level. For example, on a board showing epics, a WIP limit counts matching epics.
- Expanded rows show the direct children you can access in Jira, including children outside the board's filters or included spaces. A matching child cannot bring a filtered-out parent onto the board.
- Each row shows one direct child. To see that child's own children or edit its other fields, open it in Jira.
- Moving a parent card changes only that work item. To change a child's status, use its own status control.