> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datasaur.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.datasaur.ai/workspace-management/project-management/self-assignment.md).
# Self-Assignment
In some workflows, you may want labelers to pick up work on their own instead of being assigned in advance. With self-assignment, labelers can assign documents to themselves from a pool of available projects. This helps ensure unassigned documents are quickly handled and gives labelers more control over their workload.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Self-assignment is not enabled by default in projects created before version 6.90.
{% endhint %}
## Enable self-assignment
Admins can enable self-assignment in workspace settings:
1. Go to the **Workspace settings** page from the left sidebar.
2. Open the **Assignment** tab.
3. Enable **Allow self-assignment for labelers.**
4. Click **Save changes**.
Once enabled, there are changes in the **Projects** page depending on the role:
* **Admins** and **supervisors** can see projects with incomplete assignments marked with an **Incomplete assignment** chip in the **Status** column.
* **Labelers** will see a new **Unassigned projects** tab, where they can view projects they are not assigned to and self-assign documents.
## Prepare projects for self-assignment
To make a project available for self-assignment, create the project as usual. In step 4 of project creation, assign only **reviewers** and leave labeler assignments empty.
## Self-assign
Once enabled, labelers can self-assign documents from three places: the **Unassigned projects** tab, the **Assigned projects** tab, or within a project.
### Unassigned projects tab
Labelers can assign themselves to a project they have not worked on from the **Unassigned projects** tab.
1. Go to the **Projects** page.
2. Open the **Unassigned projects** tab.
3. Click **Assign myself** for the desired project.
4. Enter the number of documents and click **Assign to me.**
The project will open automatically after a successful assignment.
### Assigned projects
Labelers can also assign themselves additional documents in projects they are already working on from the **Assigned projects** tab.
1. Go to the **Projects** page.
2. Open the **Assigned projects** tab.
3. In the desired project, click the three-dot menu and select **Assign myself to more documents**.
4. Enter the number of documents to assign and click **Assign to me.**
The project will open automatically after a successful assignment.
### Within the project
After marking all assigned documents as complete, labelers may be prompted to self-assign more documents if the project still has incomplete assignments. They can choose to assign more documents or mark the project as done.
{% hint style="info" %}
If multiple labelers self-assign at the same time, some documents may already be taken. For example, if 5 documents are requested but some are assigned by others first, only 3 may be allocated.
{% endhint %}
### Self-assignment for Admins and Supervisors
Admins and supervisors can self-assign to documents as labelers.
1. Go to the **Projects** page.
2. In the desired project, click the three-dot menu and select **Assign myself to this project**.
3. Enter the number of documents to assign and click **Assign to me.**
The project will open automatically after a successful assignment.
## Additional configuration
You can configure the **document limit** and **time limit** for self-assignment. You can configure them in two places:
* In step 5 of project creation.
* In a project via **File > Settings > Administrator**. Changes to time limits only apply to new assignments. Existing assignments keep the original time limit at the time of assignment.
{% hint style="info" %}
These settings are project-level and must be configured for each new project.
{% endhint %}
### Document limit
The document limit controls how many documents a labeler can self-assign in a project. This helps prevent overloading and ensures fair task distribution. The minimum document limit is **1 document**, and the maximum is **1000 documents**.
{% hint style="info" %}
Since this setting applies only to self-assignment, admins and supervisors can still assign documents to labelers beyond the limit.
{% endhint %}
#### Example
If a document limit is set to 3:
* A labeler can self-assign **up to 3 documents**.
* Admins can assign **more than 3 documents** to a labeler.
* If labelers already have 2 assigned by an admin, they can only self-assign 1 more.
### Time limit
The time limit defines how long a labeler has to complete a document once it has been assigned, either through **self-assignment or by an admin**. It helps ensure timely completion and keeps projects on track.
The minimum time limit is **1 minute**, and the maximum is **480 hours and 59 minutes**. Details about the countdown:
* Countdown starts immediately after assignment. The remaining time is displayed at the top and in the **List of files** extension.
* The countdown stops when the document is marked as complete. Once completed, the document's status cannot be reverted to **In progress**.
* If time expires, the document is unassigned and returned to the available pool.