Kodavara Guide
Migrate From Basecamp to ClickUp: Projects, To-Dos and Comments
ClickUp has a native importer for Basecamp 3 that brings projects, to-do lists, to-dos and comments. Project Docs and Files and comment attachments are not part of it. Basecamp is simpler than ClickUp, so the real work is designing the structure it lands in. This guide covers what comes across, the two ways projects land, and what to rebuild.
Last reviewed October 2026. ClickUp changes often, so check ClickUp's help center for the latest. Written by Kodavara, an independent ClickUp Partner. Not published or endorsed by ClickUp.
What ClickUp Does Today
What You Can Do Natively
Start with the features available on your ClickUp plan.
Basecamp 3 Only
The native importer works with Basecamp 3. Older versions need to be upgraded to Basecamp 3 first. You authorize through a Basecamp login in a pop-up.
What Comes Across
Projects and teams, to-do lists, to-dos, comments on lists and to-dos, assignees, and to-do groups, which can become statuses. Campfires, message boards, project Docs and Files and attachments on comments are not imported.
Two Ways to Land Projects
Into a new Space, each Basecamp project becomes a Space named after it, with its lists as Lists directly in the Space. Into an existing Space, each project becomes a Folder holding its Lists.
Plan the Choice First
The structure you choose is hard to undo once the import has run, so decide it before you start.
Where It Falls Short
The Gaps People Run Into
If these are your problem, keep reading.
- Message boards, Campfire chat, schedules and check-ins are not listed as imported, so assume they need rebuilding.
- To-do groups can import as statuses, or you can skip them and land everything in one Open status, so choose the target workflow before you start.
- Check how due dates, assignees and user matching are handled in a pilot.
- Only Basecamp 3 is supported by the importer.
- Basecamp's simple structure can turn into an over-complicated ClickUp setup without a plan.
Worked Example
How Basecamp Concepts Map to ClickUp
The destination you choose decides how projects land.
| In Basecamp | In ClickUp | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Project | A Space, or a Folder in an existing Space | Your choice, made before the import |
| To-do list | List | Lists sit directly in a Space, or inside a Folder |
| To-do | Task | Comments come with them |
| To-do group | Status, or no status | Your choice at import |
| Project Docs and Files | Not imported by the importer | Preserved as separate migration work |
| Message board, Campfire | Rebuilt as Docs, Chat or comments | Check in a pilot |
| Schedule, check-in | Rebuilt as views and recurring tasks | Check in a pilot |
Sample data for illustration.
The Configuration
How We Run a Basecamp Migration
Moving from Basecamp is a chance to add the structure it never had. These are the phases we follow, and what you get at each one.
| Phase | What We Do | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Discover | We inventory your Basecamp setup: projects, to-do lists, message boards, schedules, Docs and Files, and your users. | A migration scope and a risk list |
| 2. Design | We design the ClickUp structure and write down how every source field, status and person maps. | A written mapping everyone agrees to |
| 3. Prepare | We tidy the source, then build the Spaces, fields and statuses in ClickUp. | A target that is ready to receive data |
| 4. Pilot | We import one or two real projects and check them task by task. | Fixes found before the full move |
| 5. Move | We run the full import and bring across anything the importer does not. | Your data in ClickUp |
| 6. Rebuild | We recreate message boards, schedules and check-ins as Docs, views and recurring tasks, with statuses and fields Basecamp never had in ClickUp. | Working processes, not just data |
| 7. Cut Over | We freeze the old tool, check for last-minute changes and switch the team on an agreed date. | A clean switch date |
| 8. Support | We train the team and fix what turns up in the first weeks. | A stable workspace |
How Kodavara Consulting Does It
Set It Up Once
We design the structure Basecamp projects land in, run the import and add the statuses and fields you will want.
Check the Basecamp Version
Confirm you are on Basecamp 3, and list the projects, message boards and schedules you actually use.
Choose How Projects Land
Decide between a Space per project and Folders in an existing Space, and design the statuses and fields to add.
Pilot One Project
Import a project with comments and files, and check due dates, assignees and attachments.
Run the Full Import
Import the rest and verify counts against Basecamp.
Rebuild, Train and Cut Over
Recreate message boards and schedules, train the team and switch on an agreed date.
FAQ
Common Questions
Not here? Ask us.
Does ClickUp import from Basecamp?
Yes, from Basecamp 3. Older versions need to be upgraded first.
What comes across from Basecamp?
Projects and teams, to-do lists, to-dos and comments. Project Docs and Files and attachments on comments are not imported, so we preserve them as part of the migration.
Does each Basecamp project become a Space?
If you import into a new Space, yes. If you import into an existing Space, each project becomes a Folder holding its Lists.
Do message boards and Campfire come across?
They are not mentioned as imported, so assume you will rebuild them.
Can I change the structure after importing?
It is hard to undo, so decide the structure before you import.
Can you manage the migration?
Yes. We design the structure, pilot, import, rebuild what is missing and support the cutover.
Keep Reading
Related Guides
Migrate From Asana
How to migrate from Asana to ClickUp: the native importer, what comes across, what does not, and a step-by-step plan for a clean switch.
Read the Guide →GuideHierarchy Design
How to design a ClickUp hierarchy that stays tidy: the levels, ClickUp's own guidance, why subtasks cannot have their own statuses, and agency setups.
Read the Guide →GuideWorkspace Migration
ClickUp cannot move tasks or Spaces between Workspaces natively.
Read the Guide →ServiceKodavara Consulting
The Kodavara service behind this guide: what we assess, configure and hand over.
Learn More →Want Help Setting This Up?
Tell us what you are trying to get done and we will point you at the fastest route.