Automate Project Start evaluation on Transition

[Matteo Pacenti]

I would like to create an automation that automatically populates the Project Start of an idea when the ticket is transitioned to IN PROGRESS. 

I know how to do it in Jira Software, but I can't find the Project Start field on JPD while creating the rule.

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Matteo Pacenti 

First, some fields are not listed in the dropdown list for the Create or Edit Work Item actions.  Some of them may be set using the advanced edit with a JSON expression.  

To use a JSON edit, you will need to check if your field is supported by rule actions, and what the correct custom field ID is for it.  This how-to article describes the steps, which are essentially:

• identify an example work item with you field, noting its key
• when logged in, open another browser tab
• use the REST API to example the work item's data:
  • yourJirURL/rest/api/3/issue/yourWorkItemKey?expand=names
• search on the page for your Project Start field, such as with CTRL-F (find)
• note the custom field ID

Next, consider that JPD uses its own date format, with a text representation of JSON.  For example:

"customfield_12345": "{\"start\":\"2025-10-15\",\"end\":\"2025-10-15\"}"

Putting those things together, if your rule wanted to set your field to the current date with {{now}} that could be this JSON expression:

{
  "fields: {
    "customfield_12345": "{\"start\":\"{{now.jiraDate}}\",\"end\":\"{{now.jiraDate}}\"}"
  }
}

Kind regards,
Bill