diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/alb/task-list-filters.json b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/alb/task-list-filters.json
index 3ce3c704..bfb76191 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/alb/task-list-filters.json
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/alb/task-list-filters.json
@@ -68,5 +68,7 @@
   "clearing": "Duke pastruar...",
   "cancel": "Anulo",
   "search": "Kërko",
-  "groupedBy": "Grupuar sipas"
+  "groupedBy": "Grupuar sipas",
+  "manageStatuses": "Menaxho Statuset",
+  "managePhases": "Menaxho Fazat"
 }
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/de/task-list-filters.json b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/de/task-list-filters.json
index 9197cb97..8c08037f 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/de/task-list-filters.json
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/de/task-list-filters.json
@@ -65,8 +65,10 @@
   "filtersActive": "Filter aktiv",
   "filterActive": "Filter aktiv",
   "clearAll": "Alle löschen",
-  "clearing": "Löschen...",
-  "cancel": "Abbrechen",
+  "clearing": "Wird gelöscht...",
+  "cancel": "Stornieren",
   "search": "Suchen",
-  "groupedBy": "Gruppiert nach"
+  "groupedBy": "Gruppiert nach",
+  "manageStatuses": "Status verwalten",
+  "managePhases": "Phasen verwalten"
 }
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/en/task-list-filters.json b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/en/task-list-filters.json
index 3941b0e0..cdfa00e9 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/en/task-list-filters.json
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/en/task-list-filters.json
@@ -68,5 +68,7 @@
   "clearing": "Clearing...",
   "cancel": "Cancel",
   "search": "Search",
-  "groupedBy": "Grouped by"
+  "groupedBy": "Grouped by",
+  "manageStatuses": "Manage Statuses",
+  "managePhases": "Manage Phases"
 }
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/es/task-list-filters.json b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/es/task-list-filters.json
index 5a1941e0..39aeadb0 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/es/task-list-filters.json
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/es/task-list-filters.json
@@ -64,5 +64,7 @@
   "clearing": "Limpiando...",
   "cancel": "Cancelar",
   "search": "Buscar",
-  "groupedBy": "Agrupado por"
+  "groupedBy": "Agrupado por",
+  "manageStatuses": "Gestionar Estados",
+  "managePhases": "Gestionar Fases"
 }
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/pt/task-list-filters.json b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/pt/task-list-filters.json
index 76e9287f..0bd8bc31 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/pt/task-list-filters.json
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/pt/task-list-filters.json
@@ -65,5 +65,7 @@
   "clearing": "Limpando...",
   "cancel": "Cancelar",
   "search": "Pesquisar",
-  "groupedBy": "Agrupado por"
+  "groupedBy": "Agrupado por",
+  "manageStatuses": "Gerenciar Status",
+  "managePhases": "Gerenciar Fases"
 }
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/zh/task-list-filters.json b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/zh/task-list-filters.json
index a3354305..f6a50e1e 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/zh/task-list-filters.json
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/public/locales/zh/task-list-filters.json
@@ -62,5 +62,7 @@
   "clearing": "清除中...",
   "cancel": "取消",
   "search": "搜索",
-  "groupedBy": "分组依据"
+  "groupedBy": "分组依据",
+  "manageStatuses": "管理状态",
+  "managePhases": "管理阶段"
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/project-task-filters/create-status-drawer/create-status-drawer.tsx b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/project-task-filters/create-status-drawer/create-status-drawer.tsx
index 6945e578..f51925cf 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/project-task-filters/create-status-drawer/create-status-drawer.tsx
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/project-task-filters/create-status-drawer/create-status-drawer.tsx
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import { toggleDrawer } from '@/features/projects/status/StatusSlice';
 
 import './create-status-drawer.css';
 
-import { createStatus, fetchStatusesCategories } from '@/features/taskAttributes/taskStatusSlice';
+import { createStatus, fetchStatusesCategories, fetchStatuses } from '@/features/taskAttributes/taskStatusSlice';
 import { ITaskStatusCategory } from '@/types/status.types';
 import { useMixpanelTracking } from '@/hooks/useMixpanelTracking';
 import useTabSearchParam from '@/hooks/useTabSearchParam';
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ const StatusDrawer: React.FC = () => {
       dispatch(toggleDrawer());
       refreshTasks();
       dispatch(fetchStatusesCategories());
+      // Refetch task statuses to ensure UI reflects the new status
+      dispatch(fetchStatuses(projectId));
     }
   };
 
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/TaskListV2Table.tsx b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/TaskListV2Table.tsx
index 0859270b..ac5227fe 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/TaskListV2Table.tsx
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/TaskListV2Table.tsx
@@ -476,8 +476,8 @@ const TaskListV2Section: React.FC = () => {
                   );
                 })}
               </div>
-              <div className="absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center">
-                <div className="text-sm italic text-gray-400 dark:text-gray-500 bg-white dark:bg-gray-900 px-4 py-1 rounded-md border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700">
+              <div className="absolute left-4 top-1/2 transform -translate-y-1/2 flex items-center">
+                <div className="text-sm text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 bg-white dark:bg-gray-900 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 shadow-sm">
                   {t('noTasksInGroup')}
                 </div>
               </div>
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/constants/columns.ts b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/constants/columns.ts
index d8b229fe..5f8add14 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/constants/columns.ts
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-list-v2/constants/columns.ts
@@ -18,16 +18,16 @@ export const BASE_COLUMNS = [
   { id: 'taskKey', label: 'keyColumn', width: '100px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.KEY, minWidth: '100px', maxWidth: '150px' },
   { id: 'title', label: 'taskColumn', width: '470px', isSticky: true, key: COLUMN_KEYS.NAME },
   { id: 'description', label: 'descriptionColumn', width: '260px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.DESCRIPTION },
-  { id: 'status', label: 'statusColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.STATUS },
-  { id: 'assignees', label: 'assigneesColumn', width: '150px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.ASSIGNEES },
-  { id: 'priority', label: 'priorityColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.PRIORITY },
-  { id: 'dueDate', label: 'dueDateColumn', width: '140px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.DUE_DATE },
   { id: 'progress', label: 'progressColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.PROGRESS },
+  { id: 'assignees', label: 'assigneesColumn', width: '150px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.ASSIGNEES },
   { id: 'labels', label: 'labelsColumn', width: 'auto', key: COLUMN_KEYS.LABELS },
   { id: 'phase', label: 'phaseColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.PHASE },
+  { id: 'status', label: 'statusColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.STATUS },
+  { id: 'priority', label: 'priorityColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.PRIORITY },
   { id: 'timeTracking', label: 'timeTrackingColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.TIME_TRACKING },
   { id: 'estimation', label: 'estimationColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.ESTIMATION },
   { id: 'startDate', label: 'startDateColumn', width: '140px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.START_DATE },
+  { id: 'dueDate', label: 'dueDateColumn', width: '140px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.DUE_DATE },
   { id: 'dueTime', label: 'dueTimeColumn', width: '120px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.DUE_TIME },
   { id: 'completedDate', label: 'completedDateColumn', width: '140px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.COMPLETED_DATE },
   { id: 'createdDate', label: 'createdDateColumn', width: '140px', key: COLUMN_KEYS.CREATED_DATE },
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-management/improved-task-filters.tsx b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-management/improved-task-filters.tsx
index b14d27e3..6e6669c0 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-management/improved-task-filters.tsx
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-management/improved-task-filters.tsx
@@ -82,7 +82,9 @@ import useIsProjectManager from '@/hooks/useIsProjectManager';
 // Performance constants
 const FILTER_DEBOUNCE_DELAY = 300; // ms
 const SEARCH_DEBOUNCE_DELAY = 500; // ms
-const MAX_FILTER_OPTIONS = 100; // Limit options to prevent UI lag
+const MAX_FILTER_OPTIONS = 100;
+
+ // Limit options to prevent UI lag
 
 // Optimized selectors with proper transformation logic
 const selectFilterData = createSelector(
@@ -364,6 +366,7 @@ const FilterDropdown: React.FC<{
   themeClasses: any;
   isDarkMode: boolean;
   className?: string;
+  dispatch?: any;
 }> = ({
   section,
   onSelectionChange,
@@ -372,6 +375,7 @@ const FilterDropdown: React.FC<{
   themeClasses,
   isDarkMode,
   className = '',
+  dispatch,
 }) => {
   const { t } = useTranslation('task-list-filters');
   // Add permission checks for groupBy section
@@ -480,8 +484,34 @@ const FilterDropdown: React.FC<{
       {/* Configuration Buttons for GroupBy section */}
       {section.id === 'groupBy' && canConfigure && (
         <div className="inline-flex items-center gap-1 ml-2">
-          {section.selectedValues[0] === 'phase' && <ConfigPhaseButton />}
-          {section.selectedValues[0] === 'status' && <CreateStatusButton />}
+          {section.selectedValues[0] === 'phase' && (
+            <button
+              onClick={() => {
+                import('@/features/projects/singleProject/phase/phases.slice').then(({ toggleDrawer }) => {
+                  dispatch(toggleDrawer());
+                });
+              }}
+              className={`inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium rounded-md border transition-all duration-200 ease-in-out hover:shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-gray-500 focus:ring-offset-2 ${themeClasses.buttonBg} ${themeClasses.buttonBorder} ${themeClasses.buttonText} ${
+                isDarkMode ? 'focus:ring-offset-gray-900' : 'focus:ring-offset-white'
+              }`}
+            >
+              {t('managePhases')}
+            </button>
+          )}
+          {section.selectedValues[0] === 'status' && (
+            <button
+              onClick={() => {
+                import('@/features/projects/status/StatusSlice').then(({ toggleDrawer }) => {
+                  dispatch(toggleDrawer());
+                });
+              }}
+              className={`inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium rounded-md border transition-all duration-200 ease-in-out hover:shadow-sm focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-gray-500 focus:ring-offset-2 ${themeClasses.buttonBg} ${themeClasses.buttonBorder} ${themeClasses.buttonText} ${
+                isDarkMode ? 'focus:ring-offset-gray-900' : 'focus:ring-offset-white'
+              }`}
+            >
+              {t('manageStatuses')}
+            </button>
+          )}
         </div>
       )}
 
@@ -1265,6 +1295,7 @@ const ImprovedTaskFilters: React.FC<ImprovedTaskFiltersProps> = ({ position, cla
                 onToggle={() => handleDropdownToggle(section.id)}
                 themeClasses={themeClasses}
                 isDarkMode={isDarkMode}
+                dispatch={dispatch}
               />
             ))
           ) : (
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-templates/import-task-template.tsx b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-templates/import-task-template.tsx
index 6bfef851..5fb8729a 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-templates/import-task-template.tsx
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/components/task-templates/import-task-template.tsx
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import { fetchBoardTaskGroups } from '@/features/board/board-slice';
 import { setImportTaskTemplateDrawerOpen } from '@/features/project/project.slice';
 import useTabSearchParam from '@/hooks/useTabSearchParam';
 import { fetchTaskGroups } from '@/features/tasks/tasks.slice';
+import { fetchTasksV3 } from '@/features/task-management/task-management.slice';
 
 const ImportTaskTemplate = () => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
@@ -90,7 +91,8 @@ const ImportTaskTemplate = () => {
       const res = await taskTemplatesApiService.importTemplate(projectId, tasks);
       if (res.done) {
         if (tab === 'board') dispatch(fetchBoardTaskGroups(projectId));
-        if (tab === 'tasks-list') dispatch(fetchTaskGroups(projectId));
+        if (tab === 'tasks-list') dispatch(fetchTasksV3(projectId));
+
         dispatch(setImportTaskTemplateDrawerOpen(false));
       }
     } catch (error) {
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/hooks/useFilterDataLoader.ts b/worklenz-frontend/src/hooks/useFilterDataLoader.ts
index 13a05f38..6165e018 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/hooks/useFilterDataLoader.ts
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/hooks/useFilterDataLoader.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { useAppSelector } from '@/hooks/useAppSelector';
 import { fetchPriorities } from '@/features/taskAttributes/taskPrioritySlice';
 import { fetchLabelsByProject, fetchTaskAssignees } from '@/features/tasks/tasks.slice';
 import { getTeamMembers } from '@/features/team-members/team-members.slice';
+import { fetchStatuses } from '@/features/taskAttributes/taskStatusSlice';
 
 /**
  * Hook to manage filter data loading independently of main task list loading
@@ -15,6 +16,9 @@ export const useFilterDataLoader = () => {
   // Memoize the priorities selector to prevent unnecessary re-renders
   const priorities = useAppSelector(state => state.priorityReducer.priorities);
 
+  // Memoize the statuses selector to prevent unnecessary re-renders
+  const statuses = useAppSelector(state => state.taskStatusReducer.status);
+
   // Memoize the projectId selector to prevent unnecessary re-renders
   const projectId = useAppSelector(state => state.projectReducer.projectId);
 
@@ -32,6 +36,11 @@ export const useFilterDataLoader = () => {
         // They will update the UI when ready, but won't block initial render
         dispatch(fetchLabelsByProject(projectId));
         dispatch(fetchTaskAssignees(projectId));
+        
+        // Load statuses if not already loaded
+        if (!statuses.length) {
+          dispatch(fetchStatuses(projectId));
+        }
       }
 
       // Load team members for member filters
@@ -49,7 +58,7 @@ export const useFilterDataLoader = () => {
       console.error('Error loading filter data:', error);
       // Don't throw - filter loading errors shouldn't break the main UI
     }
-  }, [dispatch, priorities.length, projectId]);
+  }, [dispatch, priorities.length, statuses.length, projectId]);
 
   // Load filter data on mount and when dependencies change
   useEffect(() => {
diff --git a/worklenz-frontend/src/pages/projects/projectView/project-view-header.tsx b/worklenz-frontend/src/pages/projects/projectView/project-view-header.tsx
index 4132f0c7..cb4fabae 100644
--- a/worklenz-frontend/src/pages/projects/projectView/project-view-header.tsx
+++ b/worklenz-frontend/src/pages/projects/projectView/project-view-header.tsx
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ import { fetchPhasesByProjectId } from '@/features/projects/singleProject/phase/
 import { fetchEnhancedKanbanGroups } from '@/features/enhanced-kanban/enhanced-kanban.slice';
 import { fetchTasksV3 } from '@/features/task-management/task-management.slice';
 import { ShareAltOutlined } from '@ant-design/icons';
+import { fetchStatuses } from '@/features/taskAttributes/taskStatusSlice';
 
 const ProjectViewHeader = memo(() => {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
@@ -101,9 +102,9 @@ const ProjectViewHeader = memo(() => {
 
     switch (tab) {
       case 'tasks-list':
+        dispatch(fetchStatuses(projectId));
         dispatch(fetchTaskListColumns(projectId));
         dispatch(fetchPhasesByProjectId(projectId));
-        dispatch(fetchTaskGroups(projectId));
         dispatch(fetchTasksV3(projectId));
         break;
       case 'board':