Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for assigning tasks to collaborators of a file through a contextual action. In one aspect, rendering of a file within an email application including a reading pane may be initiated. A task object may be created based on an input made with respect to the file. A reference point associated with the task object may be created within the file. The task object may be assigned to at least one collaborator of the file via the email application.