Can you automate transition of a linked task to "ToDo" when the blocking task transitions to "Done"

Jason Hartshorn

I have been trying to figure out how to automate moving a blocked task from Backlog to To Do when the linked blocking task is transitioned to Done. 

Ste Wright

Hi @Jason Hartshorn 

Not natively, you'd need an app - such as Automation for Jira.

Assuming it's then possible to transition from Backlog > To Do in the workflow, you could:

• Go to Project Settings > Automation
• Press "Create Rule" in the top-right
• For the rule...
  • Trigger: Issue Transitioned - set "To Status" to Done
  • Branch: Set "Type of related issues" to Linked Issues. Select the relevant Link Type (eg. blocks) 
  • Action (under Branch): Transition Issue. Set "Destination Issue" to To Do
• Give the rule a name, and publish it.

You could add a Condition before the Action if preferred - the Issue Fields Condition - clarifying this is only for linked issues in the status "Backlog".

There might be other options using scripting apps or advanced workflow apps - if you can't get Automation for Jira, let us know what apps you do have!

Ste