Start date won't automate (subtasks)

[Emma Hecht]

I'm working on automating start dates for subtasks and no matter what smart key or date I use (see examples below), when I create the issue, the subtask's start date remains blank.

Full automation layout:

Start date automation attempts:

Blank start date after I attempt to automate:

Has anyone else experienced this, and is there a fix? Ideally, I would like to automate the start date using the business days smart key. Thanks so much!

[Mark Segall · Accepted solution]

Hi @Emma Hecht - Your smart value looks correct. Is Start Date available on the Create screen for the Sub-Task issue type?

[Emma Hecht]

@Mark Segall  So sorry — accidentally posted as a new answer! But, to keep in thread:

Yes, I created a random subtask under an issue in this project and it has the Start date field available.

[Mark Segall]

I've seen a couple fields that don't like being populated by the UI.  Perhaps try using the More Options section and copy/paste this:

{
   "fields": {
      "customfield_xxxxx": "{{now.plusBusinessDays(1)}}"
   }
}

xxxxx = the custom field ID for Start Date

Hopefully this works

[Emma Hecht]

@Mark Segall 

I don't know if Start date is a custom field? It doesn't appear to have a custom field ID or be called a custom field in the Developer Tools panel. 

The Start date custom field ID isn't appearing when I search for "customfield" in the code either. I'm thinking this field is one Jira has set up, which links to the timeline and calendar views so that you can see the visual length of your tasks in Work Management.

Ideally, I would like to use the Jira-created "Start date" instead of creating a custom start date field so that it will link to those calendar and timeline views to create a visual timeline of the tasks.

[Mark Segall]

Correct that Jira creates it, but it is still a custom field.  If you're a Jira Admin, you can find it here:

https://YOURINSTANCE.atlassian.net/secure/admin/ViewCustomFields.jspa?page=1&searchFilter=start%20d

Then if you click the ellipses to the right and View Field information, you'll see the ID in the URL 

[Emma Hecht]

@Mark Segall 

This worked! Thank you SO much — I've been trying to solve this forever! :) 

[Emma Hecht]

@Mark Segall 

Hi! Yes, I created a random subtask under an issue in this project and it has the Start date field available.

[Marvin Hong]

Could you show how to creat automation rule?

[Emma Hecht]

Hey @Marvin Hong —

This is the automation I used to create the subtask with the start date (description in screenshot). Hope this helps!

---

Example code for start date:

{
"fields": {
"customfield_10015": "{{now.plusBusinessDays(1)}}"
}
}

---

Jira Smart Values with Dates Guide