Trello Action Block

What it does: Create, update, and manage Trello cards and boards automatically through your workflows.

When to Use This

Use the Trello action when you need to:

• ✅ Create tasks automatically from form submissions
• ✅ Get card details in your workflows
• ✅ List cards from specific lists
• ✅ Add comments with automated updates
• ✅ Update card information programmatically
• ✅ Create new boards dynamically
• ✅ Assign team members and set due dates

Example: When a bug report is submitted, automatically create a Trello card in your "Bug Queue" list with all the details, labels, and assigned team members.

Features

• Card Management: Create and update cards with full details
• Card Retrieval: Get card information and list cards from specific lists
• Comments: Add comments to cards automatically
• Labels: Apply labels using label IDs
• Members: Assign team members using member IDs
• Due Dates: Set deadlines for cards
• Board Creation: Create new boards programmatically
• Variable Support: Use workflow variables in all fields
• Response Mapping: Map Trello responses to workflow variables

Setup

1. Get Your Trello API Credentials

Get Your API Key

1. Go to https://trello.com/power-ups/admin (opens in a new tab)
2. Log in to your Trello account
3. Click New to create a new Power-Up
4. Give it a name (e.g., "Indite Workflow Integration")
5. Copy your API Key - you'll need this

Generate Your API Token

1. Visit: https://trello.com/1/authorize?expiration=never&name=InditeWorkflow&scope=read,write&response_type=token&key=YOUR_API_KEY (Replace YOUR_API_KEY with the key from step 1)
2. Click Allow to authorize the application
3. Copy your API Token - you'll need this

Add Credentials to Indite

1. In the Trello block, click Connect Trello Account
2. Enter your API Key
3. Enter your API Token
4. Click Save

2. Select Action Type

Choose what you want to do:

• Create Card: Add a new card to a list
• Update Card: Modify an existing card
• Get Card: Retrieve card details
• List Cards: Get all cards from a list
• Add Comment: Post a comment on a card
• Create Board: Create a new Trello board

Creating Cards

Basic Settings

Board: Select the Trello board from dropdown

Your boards will be loaded automatically after connecting credentials

List: Choose the list where card will be created

Lists are loaded after selecting a board
To Do
In Progress
Done
Backlog

Card Name: Title of the card (required, supports variables)

New Task: `{{task.title}}`
Bug Report - `{{bug.id}}`
Feature Request from `{{user.name}}`

Card Description: Card details (optional, supports variables and Markdown)

**Issue**: `{{issue.description}}`

**Steps to Reproduce**:
1. `{{step1}}`
2. `{{step2}}`

**Reporter**: `{{reporter.name}}`
**Priority**: `{{priority}}`

Advanced Options

Labels: Comma-separated label IDs

label_id_1,label_id_2,label_id_3
`{{labelIds}}`

Members: Comma-separated member IDs to assign

member_id_1,member_id_2
`{{assigneeId}}`

Due Date: Set a deadline (datetime-local format)

2024-12-31T17:00:00
`{{task.dueDate}}`

Position: Where to place the card in the list

top = Add to top of list
bottom = Add to bottom of list (default)

Test Your Configuration

Use the Test Create Card button to verify your settings work correctly before deploying your workflow.

Updating Cards

To update an existing card:

1. Select Update Card action
2. Provide the Card ID (required)
3. Optionally update name and/or description

Card ID: Trello card identifier (supports variables)

`{{trello.cardId}}`
6582a9f3d1234567890abcde

Card Name: New title for the card (optional)

[UPDATED] `{{task.title}}`

Card Description: New description (optional)

**Updated**: `{{updateReason}}`

**Previous State**: `{{previousState}}`
**New State**: `{{newState}}`

Getting Card Details

Retrieve information about a specific card:

1. Select Get Card action
2. Provide the Card ID

Card ID: Card to retrieve (supports variables)

`{{cardId}}`
`{{workflow.previousStep.cardId}}`

The response includes:

• Card name and description
• Current list
• Labels
• Members
• Due date
• Attachments
• Comments count
• And more

Listing Cards

Get all cards from a specific list:

1. Select List Cards action
2. Select Board
3. Select List

Returns an array of all cards in that list with full details for each card.

Adding Comments

Post automated comments on cards:

Card ID: Target card (required, supports variables)

`{{trello.cardId}}`
`{{previousAction.cardId}}`

Comment Text: Message to post (required, supports variables and Markdown)

Status Update: `{{status}}`

Completed by: `{{user.name}}`
Time taken: `{{duration}}` hours

**Next Steps**: `{{nextSteps}}`

Creating Boards

Create new Trello boards programmatically:

Board Name: Name for the new board (required, supports variables)

Project: `{{project.name}}`
`{{client.name}}` - Campaign Board
Sprint `{{sprintNumber}}` Planning

Board Description: Optional description (supports variables)

**Project**: `{{project.name}}`
**Start Date**: `{{startDate}}`
**Team**: `{{team.members}}`
**Goals**: `{{goals}}`

Test Your Configuration

Use the Test Create Board button to verify your settings before running the workflow.

Response Mapping

Map Trello API responses to workflow variables using JSONPath syntax:

Format: JSON object with variable names as keys and JSONPath expressions as values

{
  "cardId": "$.id",
  "cardUrl": "$.url",
  "shortUrl": "$.shortUrl",
  "boardId": "$.idBoard",
  "listId": "$.idList"
}

Available Response Fields (varies by action):

• $.id - Card or board ID
• $.name - Card or board name
• $.desc - Description
• $.url - Full URL
• $.shortUrl - Short URL
• $.idBoard - Board ID
• $.idList - List ID
• $.due - Due date
• $.labels - Array of labels
• $.idMembers - Array of member IDs

Example Mappings:

{
  "newCardId": "$.id",
  "cardLink": "$.shortUrl",
  "assignedMembers": "$.idMembers"
}

Common Use Cases

1. Bug Tracking System

Trigger: Bug report form submitted Action: Create Card

Board: Bug Tracker
List: New Bugs
Name: [BUG] `{{bug.title}}`
Description:
  **Reported by**: `{{user.email}}`
  **Steps**: `{{bug.steps}}`
  **Expected**: `{{bug.expected}}`
  **Actual**: `{{bug.actual}}`
Labels: red_label_id (Bug)
Members: lead_developer_id
Due Date: `{{calculateDate(+3 days)}}`
Position: top

2. Lead Management

Trigger: New lead captured Action: Create Card

Board: Sales Pipeline
List: New Leads
Name: `{{lead.company}}` - `{{lead.name}}`
Description:
  **Email**: `{{lead.email}}`
  **Phone**: `{{lead.phone}}`
  **Interest**: `{{lead.interest}}`
  **Source**: `{{lead.source}}`
Labels: blue_label_id (New Lead)
Members: `{{salesRep.trelloId}}`
Due Date: `{{followUpDate}}`

3. Customer Support Tickets

Trigger: Support ticket created Action: Create Card + Add Comment workflow

Step 1 - Create Card:
  Board: Customer Support
  List: Open Tickets
  Name: Ticket #`{{ticket.id}}` - `{{ticket.subject}}`
  Description: `{{ticket.description}}`
  Labels: priority_label_id
  Members: `{{agent.trelloId}}`

Step 2 - Add Comment (if needed):
  Card ID: `{{step1.cardId}}`
  Comment: Assigned to `{{agent.name}}`. Priority: `{{ticket.priority}}`

4. Task Status Updates

Trigger: Task completed Actions: Update Card + Add Comment

Step 1 - Update Card:
  Card ID: `{{task.trelloId}}`
  Name: [COMPLETED] `{{task.name}}`

Step 2 - Add Comment:
  Card ID: `{{task.trelloId}}`
  Comment: Completed by `{{user.name}}` on `{{completionDate}}`

5. Project Board Creation

Trigger: New project approved Action: Create Board

Board Name: `{{project.name}}` - `{{project.year}}`
Board Description:
  **Client**: `{{project.client}}`
  **Budget**: `{{project.budget}}`
  **Timeline**: `{{project.startDate}}` to `{{project.endDate}}`
  **Team**: `{{project.team}}`

6. Card Information Retrieval

Trigger: Workflow needs card details Actions: Get Card or List Cards

Get Card:
  Card ID: `{{cardId}}`

List Cards:
  Board: Project Board
  List: In Progress

Use Response: Access card details in subsequent steps

Best Practices

Organization

• ✅ Use consistent naming conventions for cards (e.g., [BUG], [FEATURE], [TASK])
• ✅ Store label IDs and member IDs as workflow variables for reuse
• ✅ Use Test buttons to verify configurations before deployment
• ✅ Keep descriptions clear and well-structured with Markdown
• ✅ Set realistic due dates using date variables

Automation

• ✅ Get label IDs and member IDs first using Get Card or List Cards
• ✅ Use Response Mapping to capture card IDs for subsequent operations
• ✅ Chain actions: Create Card → Add Comment → Update as needed
• ✅ Use conditions to route cards to appropriate lists
• ✅ Validate required fields before creating cards
• ✅ Handle API errors gracefully with error blocks

Variables & Data

• ✅ Use workflow variables in all text fields for dynamic content
• ✅ Map response data to variables for use in later steps
• ✅ Store frequently used IDs (boards, lists, labels, members) as constants
• ✅ Format dates properly for due date field
• ✅ Join arrays with commas for labels and members fields

Performance

• ✅ Cache board and list data to minimize API calls
• ✅ Use Get Card sparingly - only when you need fresh data
• ✅ Batch operations when possible using workflows
• ✅ Handle rate limits with retry logic
• ✅ Monitor API usage in your Trello Power-Up settings

Troubleshooting

Card Not Created

Check:

• ✅ Trello credentials (API Key and Token) are correct
• ✅ Board and list exist and IDs are valid
• ✅ You have write permissions on the board
• ✅ Card name is provided (required field)
• ✅ API rate limits not exceeded
• ✅ Network connectivity is stable

Solution: Use Test Create Card button to verify configuration

Members or Labels Not Applied

Issue: Labels or members don't appear on created card

Solutions:

• ✅ Verify you're using label IDs (not names or colors)
• ✅ Verify you're using member IDs (not names or emails)
• ✅ Use Get Card on an existing card to see correct ID formats
• ✅ Ensure members have access to the board
• ✅ Check that labels exist on the selected board
• ✅ Use comma-separated format: id1,id2,id3

Comments Not Posting

Check:

• ✅ Card ID is valid and card exists
• ✅ Comment text is not empty
• ✅ API credentials have write permissions
• ✅ Markdown formatting doesn't break the comment

Solution: Test with a simple text comment first, then add formatting

Board/List Not Loading

Issue: Dropdowns don't populate with boards or lists

Solutions:

• ✅ Verify credentials are saved correctly
• ✅ Refresh the page to reload boards
• ✅ Check that you have at least one board in Trello
• ✅ Ensure API token hasn't expired
• ✅ Check browser console for API errors

Response Mapping Not Working

Check:

• ✅ JSON syntax is valid (use a JSON validator)
• ✅ JSONPath expressions are correct (use $. prefix)
• ✅ Field names in response match your paths
• ✅ Variable names don't have spaces or special characters

Example Valid Mapping:

{
  "cardId": "$.id",
  "url": "$.shortUrl"
}

Limitations

• API Rate Limit: 300 requests per 10 seconds per API key
• Token Expiration: Tokens can expire - use "never" expiration when generating
• Board Access: Can only access boards you're a member of
• Label/Member IDs: Must use IDs, not names - requires initial lookup
• File Attachments: Not supported in current implementation
• Checklists: Not supported in current implementation
• Card Moving: Use Update Card with listId parameter instead
• Batch Operations: Must create one card at a time per action

API Credential Security

Example Workflow

Flow Explanation:

1. Form is submitted with bug/task details
2. Check priority level
3. Create card in appropriate list based on priority
4. Apply corresponding priority label
5. Assign team members based on priority
6. Set due date based on priority
7. Add automated comment with details
8. Workflow completes successfully

Related Blocks

• Condition: Route cards to different boards/lists based on criteria
• HTTP Request: Make custom Trello API calls not covered by this block
• Send Email: Notify team when cards are created
• Set Variable: Prepare and format data before card creation
• Loop: Create multiple cards from an array of items
• Get Card: Retrieve card details for conditional logic

Need Help?

Resources

• Trello API Documentation (opens in a new tab)
• Get Your API Key (opens in a new tab)
• Trello Developer Portal (opens in a new tab)
• JSONPath Syntax Guide (opens in a new tab)

Common Questions

Q: How do I find label and member IDs? A: Use the Get Card action on an existing card, or List Cards, to see all IDs in the response.

Q: Can I attach files to cards? A: File attachments are not currently supported. You can add file URLs in the description.

Q: How do I move cards between lists? A: Use Update Card action with the listId parameter, or make a custom HTTP request to Trello's API.

Q: Can I create cards in multiple boards? A: Yes, but you need separate Create Card actions for each board.

Q: Do I need a Trello Power-Up? A: Yes, you need to create a Power-Up to get your API Key. It's free and takes 2 minutes.