Can Jira automatically add epic links to cards based on quick filters which filter by epic link?

[James Williams]

Apologies if this is a stupid question, or has already been answered. 

The way we are using Jira is to have one Jira 'project' which contains multiple 'development projects'. This means we can see all the work that is in progress, testing etc without having to jump around onto different projects and Kanban boards. We use quick filters for these development projects to allow developers to focus on issues for a specific project. 

However, when adding an issue into the backlog with the quick filter for the epic applied, they manually have to add the epic link- which occasionally they forget to do.

It would be great if when they have a quick filter applied and are adding an issue for Jira to automatically add the epic link that is referenced in the quick filter. Is there a way of doing this?

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @James Williams 

I do not believe what you ask is possible with built-in automation features.

When using a quick filter, the individual user is doing so from the browser they have open to access Jira.  An automation rule cannot access the information for your browser instance.

If you flip your use case around (and I make some assumptions)...other users of Jira often use different Jira projects for different teams/products/project delivery.  When they need a combined rollup view, they create a board with a filter to span each of the separate projects, such as project IN (A, B, C, D) ORDER BY Rank

As your development projects seem to be driven by the association of work to Epics, perhaps consider adding work items (issues) while viewing the Epic; that will automatically associate the child items to it.

Kind regards,
Bill

[James Williams]

Thanks Bill. That is really useful.

[Mindy Johnson]

It would also make sense to have a different entry screen for issues where the EPIC link is mandatory and the issue cannot be created without attaching to an EPIC.

[Rix Williams]

Also searching for this

[John Funk]

Hi James - Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

So, this is not very straightforward, but I believe you might be able to get it accomplished with an Automation for Jira rule. 

Create a rule based on Issue Created trigger.

Then add a Condition based on JQL and include the query from the Quick Filter.

Then add a new action for Edit Issue. There select the Epic Link field and populate it with the Epic Link key for that query associated with the Quick Filter. 

If you are new for Automation for Jira, here is some base information:

There are two types of automation:

• Global: In the Free version, you get 100 executions per product, per month
• Project: In all versions, you get unlimited executions per month

Automation Basics: https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/guides/expand-jira/automation

You can do this via global rules to apply to all projects also. You'll need to be a Jira Admin/Site Admin, go to Jira Settings > System > Automation Rules (left-hand menu).

For more on using Automation For Jira see these help pages.

Jira Automation Template Library to help get you started quickly:

https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/automation-template-library#/labels/all/customLabelId/1453

[James Williams]

Could you give an example of the JQL for this? We have many quick filters for the many dev projects we have on the Jira project.

[John Funk]

The JQL will be the same code in your Quick Filter.

[James Williams]

Apologies John, this is not working. We have many quick filters- see image. So we cannot just reference one quick filter jql e.g. "Epic Link" = SIM-20 as we need the automation to be able to correctly apply the epic link that has been selected in the quick filter.

[John Funk]

Sorry, but I am very confused as to what you are trying to do. Selecting a Quick Filter just narrows down the number of cards you see on a board. It has nothing to do with the creation of anything, if that is what you are trying to do. 

Just add the Epic Link field to the create screen so the person creating the issue can include it. 

[James Williams]

Thanks John. The Epic Link Field is already on the create screen. When adding a lot of issues related to the same projects devs sometimes forget to add the Epic link even with the field present. If its not possible to automatically add epic link to the epic link field based on the quick filter applied when the card is created then that is fine. We can try a different approach. 

[John Funk]

You might still try my suggestion above to see if it works out for you. 

[James Williams]

Thanks John, I have worked out something for this now. 

What I have done is created an automation with the following JQL (probably not correct) created >= -30d AND "Epic Link" = EMPTY and "Labels" = EMPTY . I then have a webhook for teams channel which informs me when a developer has added a card that has no label or epic link.

At least then I know about it if they have forgotten to add it in.

[John Funk]

Hey, whatever works! Glad you have something.

[James Williams]

Hi John, 

I have found a really good way of doing this now. 

• Go to Backlog View.
• Apply the relevant Quick Filter- for ours the quick filters are related to epics or labels.
• Instead of using the blue 'Create' button to create an issue. Scroll to the bottom of the backlog to the grey '+ Create issue' text that sits beneath the issues in the backlog. Click the '+ Create issue' and type up your issue. Observe how the Epic field is already prepopulated.

[John Funk]

Fantastic! I am glad that worked for you!