Jira automation - restrict linking issue rule from adding duplicate links

[Henry Yei]

Is there a way to add a improve the the linking issue automation to avoid linking again if the issue has already been linked?

I tried adding a Related Issues condition, but having trouble coming up with a JQL query/smart value combination that would work. 

Basically, if an issue is already a related issue (doesn't matter what type of link), and someone references it again in a comment/description, I don't want to added another link to it. 

This is what I have, and does not work. 

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Henry Yei 

How about this approach...

• If you can extract the issue key you plan to link to with your expression,
• Store that in a variable with the action Create Variable, such as {{var}}
• And use an If/Else structure to only add the link when not found using a JQL condition (in the Else clause).  An example JQL might  be:

project = myProject AND issue IN linkedIssues({{var}}, "relates to")

Here is the documentation on Create Variable:

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/automation-actions/

And here is an example of using it within a nested structure, such as a branch:

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-articles/Automation-for-Jira-Create-variable-New-component/ba-p/1448118

Best regards,

Bill

[Henry Yei]

Thanks, that pointed me to the right direction!

After using Create Variable, the JQL below got me there.

If: No Linked issues match

Types: All link typesMatch: issue = {{issue.key}} AND issue IN linkedIssues({{issueToLink}})