How can I create an User Story template in Jira?

[Sebastian_Grutz]

We have specific project in Jira. If we create an User Story we have a template how to write it. Is it possible to generate this template in Jira, so when we create a new user story in this project the template is already there?

[Conrad Bruchmann · Accepted solution]

Simply go to Project settings-> Automation

Here you can insert a template text into the description. Works fine for me.

[Norah]

Thank you for reminding me about this!  Jira Automations are VERY powerful!

[Gerard Cattin]

I have done that too. The only issue with that approach is that the Description template overrides what the user types in the Jira creation screen because it is triggered after the creation screen closes, not prior to opening it.

Anyone knowing how to get the template in place prior to users being able to type in that screen?

-Gérard Cattin

[Stu Breslin]

I was thinking of doing the same, but there is big problem with this approach.  When a Jira user creates a story for the first time, the description will be blank.  The user will add details, then click save.  Jira automation will replace what the user has entered with the automated text, meaning their work will be lost.

[Orry]

There is also an option of adding another IF check to validate the Description field is empty before applying the template... 

[Thibault KASPI]

Here's how I've done it: in the automation, include the current description in the new one, using {{issue.description}} 

[Lulu Lin]

This is a great solution, thank you!  I've been trying to figure out how to get around this for a while now.

[Christine Stolz · Accepted solution]

So I am working ways to improve the process with the team (using Agile in a Waterfall world, so I am adapting).  One of the things that I have thought of is to:

1. Create a generic user story with associated sub-tasks, etc. for a standard development.

• As a [role], I would like to do [task], in order to do [objective].
  • Subtasks - 
    • Analysis
    • Development
    • Code Review - [4 hour estimate in general]
    • Merge - [1 hour estimate in general]
    • Etc.

2. Every time there is a new user story needed, take a clone of the generic user story and work on it that way.

3. Take the cloned user story and customize it to the work at hand.

• As a Basketweaver, I would like to design my baskets with CAD, in order to mass produce.
  • Subtasks - 
    • Analysis - Basketweaver CAD specs [4 hours]
    • Development - Basketweaver CAD dev [10 hours]
    • Code Review - [2 hour]
    • Merge - [1 hour]
    • etc.

Not sure that is advisable. 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Jon Mills]

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me if not using a plug-in. I'm looking at doing exactly this.  The subtask names will all come prefixed with CLONE (by default but can be disabled on a global instance basis)

[Jim Coryat]

We are doing the same thing.  Given the tool this seems to be the path of least resistance.

[Muhammad Khan]

Yes though Project Settings > Issue Types > Story > Description (type in text you want as a template) > Save Changes.

Now create a new story to see if template text is included. 

[sam2095]

What version / type of Jira are you using?  I don't seem to have the option to edit the Description.  Thanks, Sam.

[Jeremy Chambers]

ditto, i don't see this capability in Cloud Jira.

[Muhammad Khan]

I am using Cloud JirA too.

[laurilarjo]

I cracked this mystery!

You can indeed create description templates as Muhammad showed, BUT your project needs to be "team-managed project" (aka next-gen). By default the projects are "company-managed" (aka classic). You can google for how to do a migration, Atlassian has an article about it.

[Nar Kumar C_ - Narva Software]

Hi everyone,

We recently released an app: Issue Template for Jira - Summary & Description Templates

You can define a template per issue type including User Story and that template will be automatically prefilled when users open create issue window.

Team managed projects has a workaround, see Muhammad's answer. Our app works with both team and company managed projects. Also, have a look into Atlassian Marketplace here if you have slight different requirement here, you will surely find template app for your needs.

Regards,

Nar

[Michael Mitschke]

Thank you Nar for sharing.
Does the template creation has the same formating options like the normal describtion field?
Specifically: can I create "info panels" in the templates of this app?

[Nar Kumar C_ - Narva Software]

Hi Michael,

Update: panels including other Jira editor features are supported now.

Panels are currently not supported. We might be able to add it in the future, please watch our app here (bottom right) to get notified of future releases.

[Michael Mitschke]

Thanks for your reply!
Please , please ;) Consider implementing that feature. The reason is this can be very well used instead of the non existing checkboxes.

[Diana Mortimer]

I installed the app, but I want to use formatting (bold, bullets, etc) in the template.  Do I need another app for that?  ProTip says use Markdown?

[Nar Kumar C_ - Narva Software]

Hi Diana,

We have updated the editor. You can now use the same Jira editor experience with our app.

[Michael Mitschke]

@Nar Kumar C_ - Narva Software 
Wait! Does that mean info panels are now available for usage too?

[Kate Pawlak _Appsvio_]

Hi,

To create templates for issues, you can use our free app called Issue Templates Agent for Jira. The template is applied on the standard Create issue screen, so you don't have to use any new screen to create tickets from templates. I strongly recommend you to try it.

Cheers,

Kate

Appsvio team

[eyal_silverstein]

Hi @Katarzyna Pawlak _Appsvio_

We had a positive experience using your application previously. However, it appears that Jira has made certain changes within the last month, which have led to your app's functionality being disrupted. Specifically, an error now arises whenever an issue with an associated template is being created. Kindly find the error details attached for your reference.

[Kate Pawlak _Appsvio_]

Hi @eyal_silverstein ,

Please check in the Field configuration what type of renderer is set to Description or other text fields which are added to the template. It should be Wiki Style renderer.

If it doesn't help, please create a ticket on our customer portal https://appsvio.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/3. We'll check our logs and investigate this issue.

Kate

[Lucy Dilts]

Have to agree w/ James. This is a basic feature of every PM tool our teams have used in the past.

[Sari Ollikainen]

Is this again a feature, which does not exist in Jira?

[Leon]

I would simply create a story with all template contents needed,

Then, I'll ask all teammates to create new story by cloning the story.

This way doesn't require any plugin.

[Jim Coryat]

But requires teammates to perform an additional manual step.  This makes is NOT the path of lease resistance which then equates to being optional and processes break down if the team is not motivated to comply.  This is a major gap in the features of the product.

[Pavel Pavlovsky_AppLiger_]

Hey @Sebastian_Grutz ,

You can try Easy Templates for Jira Issues add-on: https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1219112/easy-templates-for-jira-issues

It allows you to create the most general and useful templates for different issue types and cases, like story, bug report, on/offboarding and other processes. Add subtasks and set Templates per issue type.

Cheers,
Pavel 

[Alexey Matveev]

Hello,

Kindly, have a look at this plugin:

https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1211044/issue-templates-for-jira?hosting=cloud&tab=overview

It is not possible to have issue templates out of the box.

[Sebastian_Grutz]

Hi Alexey,

thank you very much for your help!

Best regards

[Alexey Matveev]

You are most welcome!

[James Klein - Deactivated]

sorry but that's totally garbage. Why would we need to pay for a feature that comes out of the box in every other project management tool, including the free ones, on the market?

[Luka Hummel - codefortynine]

Hi,

I'm Luka from codefortynine 👋

I also want to add that you can use our app Deep Clone for Jira to clone template projects and issues.

Deep Clone can clone a project, including its configuration with Project Clone.

Additionally, you can also clone template Epic hierarchies or other hierarchies with Epic/Tree Clone.

You can read more about using template projects with Deep Clone here.