Can I update the status on an issue by changing the status of a subtask?

[Daniel Corrales]

I want to update the status of a parent issue by changing the status of a subtask with an automation. Is that possible?

[Mikael Sandberg · Accepted solution]

Hi @Daniel Corrales,

Welcome to Atlassian Community!

Yes, this can be done with automation, and if you look under the Templates tab you will find a rule called "When all sub-tasks are done → move parent to done" that you can use as a starting point. If you do not need it to check all subtasks if the parent should change status then you just have to remove those steps.

[Daniel Corrales]

I just need the status of the parent task to change if a specific sub task's status is changed. Is it also possible? Thank you. 

[Mikael Sandberg]

Yes, that can be done. You can use the rule I pointed to above and just change it to fit your use case. If any subtask should move the parent to a specific status, then just remove the condition that checks if other subtasks are in a specific status.

[Mikael Sandberg]

Something like this should do it:

[Daniel Corrales]

Thanks again. Let's say I want a specific sub task with a specific name to change the status of my parent task when its status is changed. For example: my sub task name is "Account funded" and the status of this sub task is changed to "complete". I want my parent task status to be changed to "account funded" only when this specific sub task status is changed. I hope I'm being clear. Thank you for your time. 

[Daniel Corrales]

First image are the status available for the "account funded" sub task. When that specific sub task is changed to "complete", I want the status of my parent task (second image) to be changed to "complete-funded". 

[Mikael Sandberg]

Then just use a JQL condition that picks up that specific subtask, something like this:

issuetype = sub-task AND summary ~ "\"Account founded\""

And then use the status you want to trigger it on in the initial component.

[Daniel Corrales]

Hey, thanks again for your time and responses. I haven't been able to achieve it. Can you show it to me visually or with a youtube example? I have never used a JQL condition before. Thank you. 

[Mikael Sandberg]

It would look something like this:

[Daniel Corrales]

Thanks, Michael. Got it to work.