Due Dates and Modes
The three deadline modes (auto, soft, hard), how the planner uses due dates, dependencies, and the Firm toggle.
Due Dates and Modes
Not every date matters equally. A client delivery has real consequences if missed; an internal target is a guideline. PayMe has three due modes to express exactly that.
The three modes
Auto
The system computes a completion date based on remaining work and your current capacity. It recalculates whenever your workload changes. No warning is ever shown for auto deadlines — they're informational only.
Use auto when you haven't committed to a date but want the planner to show you when it expects to finish.
Soft
A user- or PM-set target date. The planner tries to schedule work to meet it, but never raises an alert if it slips. Soft deadlines communicate intent without creating noise.
Use soft for internal milestones and "we'd like to have this done by..." commitments.
Hard
A real deadline — client delivery, contractual obligation, external dependency. The planner warns you (and the PM) if it calculates that the task can't be completed in time given current capacity.
Use hard when missing the date has real consequences.
The Firm toggle
In the task create/edit form, the Firm toggle switches between soft and hard mode. When Firm is on, the due date is treated as hard (the toggle turns red). When off, it's soft (the toggle remains gray).
The toggle is hidden when no due date is set (it would have no effect).
Via Telegram: "imposta scadenza 25 marzo, hard" or "set deadline March 25, firm".
Dependencies
A task can depend on another task — it won't be scheduled until the prerequisite is done.
Set a dependency in the task form ("Depends on" field) or via Telegram: "task X dipende da task Y".
When the prerequisite is completed, the dependent task's plan shifts forward automatically and its reviewer is notified if set.
If a dependency chain creates a hard deadline collision — the dependent task can't finish before its deadline even if the prerequisite finishes on time — the system alerts the PM.
Note: scheduled date (when to work on it) and due date (when it must be done by) are independent — moving a task doesn't change its deadline. See How the Planner Works for the full scheduling model.