Build IT Together 2026 (BIT 2026) Dallas - Forge Workshops Pre-Work

Caterina Curti

🔗 Access this guide anytime at go.atlassian.com/bit-forge

To get the most from the Forge workshops at Build IT Together 2026 (BIT 2026) Dallas, it is best to ensure you’re set up in advance by completing the steps below.

Questions or issues? Leave a comment on this post and we'll get back to you.

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✅ Pre-Workshop Checklist

Complete these before BIT 2026 Dallas. Each step links to its section below.

• Test laptop access: confirm you can reach .atlassian.net (not blocked by a company firewall)
• Have an Atlassian ID: a personal email you can log into Jira/Confluence with
• Create an Atlassian API token: using Create API token with scopes, Forge app selected, and saved somewhere safe
• Set up GitHub: account created + FORGE_EMAIL and FORGE_API_TOKEN secrets added for ccurti-dx/forge-codespace
• Launch your Codespace: opened from the workshop repo with both secrets associated
• Verify the Forge CLI: forge --version (14.2.0+) and forge whoami both work
• Provision a demo site: ran forge site provision and saved the Site URL
• Deploy the Hello World app: forge create → forge deploy → forge install --demo-site, and confirmed the panel shows in Jira

💡 Codespaces are optional, but we recommend them. A Codespace gives you a ready-to-go environment with the Forge CLI already installed, so you can skip local setup and avoid laptop issues on the day.

You can skip this section if you already have both of these on your laptop:

• A working local Forge setup (Forge CLI 14.2.0 or higher, logged in with forge whoami)
• Access to a coding assistant

If you skip Codespaces, continue from "Create an Atlassian Demo Site" and run the commands in your local terminal.

Confirm Access to demo sites

Please note: some company-owned laptops have firewalls that restrict access to Atlassian sites, and our hands-on sessions rely on that access. To confirm in advance, please open this link on the laptop you intend to bring. You will either be blocked or receive a message indicating that you are “ready for the workshop.” If access is blocked, we recommend brining a personal laptop or asking your company to allow access to any .atlassian.net site.

Before You Start: 2 Non-Negotiables

Make sure you have both of these ready before continuing.

1. Atlassian ID

A personal email address you use to log in to your Jira/Confluence site.

• Go to id.atlassian.com
• Log in with that account, or create a new one by signing in.

2. Atlassian API token

The Forge CLI uses your credentials when running commands, so you'll need an API token.

1. Go to id.atlassian.com/manage/api-tokens
2. Enter the 8-digit verification code sent to your email.
3. Click Create API token with scopes. (Use this option, not "Create API token.")
4. Enter a descriptive Name, for example bit-api-token.
5. Choose an Expires on date. (Pick a date at least one month after BIT 2026 Dallas, so your token is still valid when you arrive and through every workshop session. If your token expires before the workshop, Forge CLI commands will fail and you'll need to create a new token and update your FORGE_API_TOKEN secret.
6. Select Forge as the app.
7. Click Next to confirm the default scopes.
8. Click Create token.
9. Click Copy, then paste the token into a notepad or text editor.

⚠️ Important: This is the only time you'll be able to view the token, so save it now.

GitHub Codespace (The Quick Start)

1. Create a GitHub account

• Go to github.com
• Follow the on-screen steps to create your account. (If you already have one, just log in.)

2. Create Codespaces user secrets

First, open your secrets settings:

• Click your profile icon (top-right corner), then Settings.
• In the left-hand menu, click Codespaces.

Add your email

1. Click New Secret (green button).
2. For Name, type FORGE_EMAIL.
3. For Value, type the personal email you just used to login and create the API token.
4. Under Repository access, select ccurti-dx/forge-codespace.
5. Click Add secret (green button).

Add your Atlassian API key

1. Click New Secret (green button) again.
2. For Name, type FORGE_API_TOKEN.
3. For Value, paste your Atlassian API token.
4. Under Repository access, select ccurti-dx/forge-codespace.
5. Click Add secret (green button).

3. Set up a Codespace

1. Open the workshop repository: https://github.com/ccurti-dx/forge-codespace
2. Click the green <> Code button.
3. Select the Codespaces tab, then click the three dots "…".
4. Select New with options…

5. In the window, confirm both secrets are associated with the repository:

• FORGE_EMAIL — Associate with Repository
• FORGE_API_TOKEN — Associate with Repository

6. Click Create codespace.

⏳ Note: Setup takes a few minutes while Forge installs and configures in your Codespace. When you see the "Trust Folder & Continue" prompt, click on it.

Verify and Log In

Use the terminal that's already open in your Codespace.

1. Verify the Forge CLI installation

• Run: forge --version
• You should see a version number, for example 14.2.0 or higher.

2. Confirm you're logged in

• Run: forge whoami
• This shows your logged-in name and account ID.

3. Answer the usage-reporting prompt

When you see "Allow Forge to collect CLI usage and error reporting information?", choose:

• Y — if you're okay sharing CLI usage and error reporting with Atlassian.
• N — if you're not okay sharing that information with Atlassian.

Create an Atlassian Demo Site

1. Provision a demo site

• In the terminal, type or paste: forge site provision
• This creates a demo development site, pre-loaded with data and a fake user, that you can use to test your app.

2. Wait for the site details

Once it finishes, the CLI shows your site name, URL, status, and expiration date.

📌 Save your Site URL — you'll need it later.

How it works:

• Demo sites stay active for 90 days by default.
• If you already have an active demo site, the CLI returns that one. Otherwise, it provisions a new site and displays its status.

Verify Installation: Create a "Hello World" App

1. Create the app

In the terminal, type or paste forge create, then follow the prompts:

1. Developer space — select an existing one or create a new one (example: dallas_demo).
2. Application name — enter a name (example: Hello World).
3. Developer Terms & Privacy Policy — read, then type y to accept. (You can't use the Forge CLI without accepting.)
4. Platform tool — select Jira.
5. Category — select UI Kit.
6. Template — select jira-issue-panel.

Then move into your new project folder:

• Run: cd Hello-World
• (Spaces in the app name become dashes in the folder name.)

2. Install the app to your demo site

1.Deploy the app — run: forge deploy

2. Install it — run: forge install --demo-site (installs automatically on your demo site).

3. Answer the prompts:

1. "Select an Atlassian app or platform tool" → choose Jira.
2. "Do you want to continue?" → type y.
3. "Are you sure you want to proceed?" → type y.

✅ You'll know it worked when you see: "✔ Install in Jira complete!"

3. View the app inside Jira

1.Go to Jira.

2. In the left menu, open a Jira Software space — or create one using Kanban and Company-managed.

3. Create a work item if you don't already have one.

4. Open a work item, then click the Apps (hexagon) icon next to the + button.

5. Click Hello World.

Your app panel will now appear. 🎉

Need Help?

Ran into an error or have a question? Leave a comment on this article and we'll get back to you. 💬

To comment, you'll need to be logged in and a member of the "Jira Cloud Admins" group.

Cheers,
Caterina & Team

Bernandina Ortiz

@Caterina Curti thank you for sharing this helpful instructions!