# Track work with issues

Open a repository's **Issues** tab to find work, report a problem, or follow a
conversation. You need access to the repository. Select an issue title to read
its description and discussion.

## Find an issue

Use **Search** to match words in issue titles and descriptions. Every word must
match. Results update after you stop typing.

Use **Add filter** to narrow by status, workflow state, priority, assignee,
creator, label, milestone, or whether an issue is pinned or locked. Each filter
supports **is** and **is not**; use its × to remove it. With no status or state
filter, the list shows open issues.

Your search and filters are saved in the address, so you can bookmark or share
the view. Results are newest first, with 25 issues per page. Use the page controls
for older results. [Pinned issues](https://git.cafe/docs/collaboration/issue-moderation.md#pin) appear above the list.

If there are no matches, clear the search and check the status filter. If loading
fails, follow the error and retry; a failed load is not an empty issue list.

## Create an issue

Choose **New Issue**. Enter a title and a description; the description supports
Markdown and pasted or dropped images. Choose a priority. Users with triage
permissions can also set assignees, labels and a milestone.

If the repository provides several issue templates, choose the one that fits
your report. Review the supplied questions before submitting.

## Update progress

On an issue, use the sidebar **State** control to update its workflow state when
you have permission to edit it. Completing or canceling an issue closes it;
choosing an open state reopens it.

Use [labels](https://git.cafe/docs/collaboration/labels.md) to categorize work and [milestones](https://git.cafe/docs/collaboration/milestones.md) to group
issues and pull requests toward a shared target.

## Add repository templates

Store templates in `.gitcafe/ISSUE_TEMPLATE` or `.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE` using
`.md`, `.markdown` or `.txt` files. GitCafe prefers `.gitcafe` when both exist.
A template directory takes precedence over a single `ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md`,
`ISSUE_TEMPLATE` or `issue_template.md` file in either configuration directory.
Up to 20 templates and 1 MiB of combined template content are read.