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Create a nested JQL query

Eddie Hobart

I have a kanban board that's been built to work on items from a specific epic. I'd like to make something of a nested query to show additional items however. Specifically, items that are linked to stories within that epic (relates to, blocked by, etc.)

These tickets aren't directly linked to the epic, but instead to the story that resides in the epic (the bugs and tasks that are linked). Is this possible without a plugin? I have a fairly large Jira instance and it won't be easy to get budget approval just to run a special query

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Trudy P Claspill

Hello @Eddie Hobart

The options to query for linked issues natively are found her:

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/jql-functions/#linkedWorkItem

Unfortunately the functions require you to provide a single explicit issue key for which you want to find the linked issues.

So with only native JQL functionality it is not possible to do what you want directly.

A work-around (but not a good work around) would be to add something to each of the linked issues, like a Labels value, that you could add to your JQL to retrieve the linked issues. You could use Automation Rule(s) to add/remove that extra value as links are added/removed to the issues within the target Epic.

Vitalii Rybka

Hi @Eddie Hobart,

Unfortunately, JQL doesn't natively support nested queries or transitive relationships, so you can't directly query "issues linked to stories that belong to epic X" in a single JQL statement without additional apps.

Here are your options:

Option 1: Manual JQL approach

First, get all stories in your epic:
```
<span>"Epic Link" = EPIC-123</span>
```
Copy the resulting story keys

Create a second query for linked issues:

<span>issue in linkedIssues("STORY-1,STORY-2,STORY-3") OR issueFunction in linkedIssuesOf("project = PROJ AND 'Epic Link' = EPIC-123")</span>

Option 2: Saved filters + Dashboard

Create a saved filter for the epic stories
Create another for issues linked to those specific stories
Combine them on a dashboard for a unified view

Option 3: Structure for Jira (if budget allows) This is specifically designed for hierarchical views and can show these relationships easily.

Option 4: Automation workaround Use automation to automatically add a label or custom field to issues when they're linked to stories in specific epics, then filter by that field.

Quick question: Are you looking for a one-time query or an ongoing board that auto-updates? The automation approach might be worth the setup effort if it's ongoing.

The manual approach is your best bet for now - it's just a two-step process. Let me know if you need help refining the JQL!

Hope this helps!

Trudy P Claspill

@Vitalii Rybka

In Option 1, step 3, the filter you have specified is not available without acquisition of a third party app. issueFunction in linkedIssuesOf(<subquery>) is not a native JQL feature.

PM/이유경

hello,

If you're on the Standard plan, the fastest way might be to categorize using labels or custom fields, and then sort by that field.

Tinker Fadoua

I agree with @Trudy P Claspill , only if you have an App you will be to introduce certain functions in your JQL.

Best,

Fadoua

Eddie Hobart

Thanks Vitalii (and others!),

My goal is a board that auto updates and I was hoping to avoid the use of custom fields. I've been transforming our Jira instance attempting to simplify and standardize our ticket structure, workflows and the process in general.

If I was to use a label or field, that in itself would need to be simple and easily reproduced by someone else (my other goal with this transformation is to make it so that I become redundant in terms of needing a skilled Jira admin to setup and run future projects).

Trudy P Claspill

If you want a "simple" solution then you best option is to leverage a third party app that extends JQL to give you the option specified by @Vitalii Rybka , where you have a function like linkedIssuesOf(<subquery>).

Or create your own home-grown app that will provide that functionality, so that you don't have to buy one.

Thanks Vitalii (and others!),

My goal is a board that auto updates and I was hoping to avoid the use of custom fields. I've been transforming our Jira instance attempting to simplify and standardize our ticket structure, workflows and the process in general.

If I was to use a label or field, that in itself would need to be simple and easily reproduced by someone else (my other goal with this transformation is to make it so that I become redundant in terms of needing a skilled Jira admin to setup and run future projects).

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