Add a child button missing from Epic view in Jira Cloud

Summary

While viewing an Epic, the 'Add a child' button is not present. Only the button 'Create Subtask' is available in the Epic view. The issue type hierarchy is correct. This article describes the root cause of this behavior and the solution for this scenario.

Diagnosis

If we check the work item hierarchy in Jira System settings, it is correct. Epics are at level 1, even if there is another custom issue type at level 2.

• Currently, by default, only Epics have the option to add standard work item types through the 'Add a child' button

• For other custom work types, including Initiatives above the Epic level, users may have to update the Parent Link field on the child work items with the parent work item in order to add them as child work items

Cause

Workflow property is set on the Epic's workflow

The root cause is the workflow property jira.permission.create.denied being used in a workflow status. When this property is used on a specific status in Jira, it disables the creation of child work items inside Epics.

Solution

Remove any instances of jira.permission.create.denied from workflows

First, note the status your Epic is currently in when the problem exists. This is the status we'll want to check for workflow properties.

1. Visit your affected project

2. Select Project Settings > Workflows

3. Select Edit workflow for the workflow used by your Epics

4. Use the Diagram editor, and choose the Status your Epic experiences this problem on

5. Select Properties

6. Remove any instances of a property similar to jira.permission.create.denied

7. Return to the workflow editor and Publish your draft

8. Repeat the steps for any other statuses where this problem exists