Customizing Jira - Where to Start?

Question

I need to start customizing Jira such as auto-populating fields based on transitions, make some fields read-only in certain transitions, etc.  I've had difficulty finding the right documentation to get me started.  The getting started Rest API docs don't point to the correct version of Jira I have (v7.7) and links in them such as the "Getting Started" and "JIRA Rest API Overview" don't work.  I'm not sure if I should implement a post function webhook or create my own plug-ins to accomplish what I need.  I've installed JDK and Attlassian Plugin SDK but still lost on where to start. Any help getting me started would be appreciated.  I know what I want to do just don't know how to get started.

jesusoros · Answer

No problem at all Diane, good to know you're on your way and that the information helped a little :)

Have a great day!

Diane Durham · Answer

OK, thanks.  I've already installed and configured a Jira project with custom fields, workflows, screens, permission schemes, etc.  Now I'm ready to develop some customizations to get things working that don't come ootb.  It's a little confusing getting around and trying to find help.  It looks like there are different accounts I've created to get different kind of help via support.atlassian.com, community.atlassian.com, and developer.atlassian.com.  I suppose I asked this question in the wrong forum.  I'll checkout GitHub.  Thanks.

jesusoros · Answer

Hi Diane,

Have you previously worked with JIRA or some other Atlassian product?

I'm asking this since the questions kinda look like you are tech saavy and you don't like to deal with the system GUI.

I would recommend that if you are clear on what you want JIRA to do, to start from there. Usually I think about the setups as if they were boxes with all I need. I would write down the workflow of my process, then select what fields I would like to see on every stage, then I start creating the custom fields, the screens, the workflows, the scheme, and so on.

Just remember that if you are using JIRA Server (as I suspect from the version you are mentioning) a lot of the automation you are looking for is not available by default so you must either develop your own plug-in or purchase one; you can find a lot of examples if you search github with the tag atlassian plug-in or something related.

Please let me know if it helps :)