Nested JQL functions in Jira Cloud only return partial results — how to get all matching issues?

[Daud Jusab]

Hi everyone,

I’m using the Jira Cloud REST API together with nested JQL functions such as:

issue in parentsOf(

  "issue in subtasksOf(\" <my JQL here> \")"

)

The problem is that this query does not return all the issues I expect.

From what I can see, the inner JQL (inside subtasksOf) only returns about 1000 results, even though there should be more. Because of this, the outer function (parentsOf) doesn’t see all the matching issues, so the final result is incomplete.

My question:
Is there any way in Jira Cloud to get all results when using nested JQL functions like parentsOf() and subtasksOf()?
Or do these functions have a subquery limit, and if so, what is the recommended workaround?

Thanks!

[Bartek Szajkowski]

Hello @Daud Jusab 

I'm Bartek, from Orbiscend OU - ARGON app provider

In Jira Cloud, nested JQL functions (like parentsOf() and subtasksOf()) are subject to internal subquery limits, so the inner query may be capped (e.g. ~1000 issues). This is a known platform limitation and cannot be fully bypassed with standard JQL.

I recommend using external JQL extensions that resolve hierarchy and links without these subquery caps. For example, ARGON Links and Hierarchy JQL Functions provide optimized functions such as:

Example 1 – find parents of matching subtasks:

issue in parentOf("issuetype = Sub-task and project = ABC")

Example 2 – find all children of matching stories:

issue in childrenOf("project = ABC and issuetype = Story")

These functions are designed to handle large result sets and complex hierarchies more reliably than deeply nested native JQL.

ARGON Powerful JQL Search 

More info you can also explore on: orbiscend.com

Hope it will be helpful for you.
Have a good day
Bartek

[Daniel Turczanski]

Hey @Daud Jusab , these JQL functions are most probably coming from a third party app. It's best to contact the vendor if you want to continue with this approach.

You can also describe your use case here in more detail and maybe there is a workaround to recommend.

[Tinker Fadoua]

@Daud Jusab 

My first question will be do you have Browse Permission to every project within your instance?