Add Watchers Automatically to Jira Issues on Creation
Platform Notice: Data Center Only - This article only applies to Atlassian apps on the Data Center platform.
Note that this KB was created for the Data Center version of the product. Data Center KBs for non-Data-Center-specific features may also work for Server versions of the product, however they have not been tested. Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.
*Except Fisheye and Crucible
Summary
If you want to stay updated, you can be added as watchers to the ticket. To avoid having to add the same set of users for each ticket during ticket creation, we can create an automated action in Jira to achieve the same.
Here's how you can automatically add users as watchers when a ticket is created in a specific project.
Environment
Jira Software Data Center Version 9.x, 10.x
Jira Service Management Data Center Version 5.x, 10.x
Older versions with the Automation for Jira app installed can also apply this solution.
Solution
Create an Automation Rule to add Watchers on Issue Creation:
Navigate to Settings ⚙ -> System.
Select Automation Rules and choose the Create Rule option to create a new automation rule.
Select the Trigger Issue created and choose Save.
Under Add component, choose New Action.
Choose the action Manage Watchers and add the list of users you prefer to add.
Use of smart values like {{assignee.key}} to add the assignee as a watcher.
Please note that you can only add users to the list; adding groups is not allowed.
Select Save.
Specify a name and turn on the rule.
Test the rule: The watchers field should be updated after creation of the issue.
Alternate Solution for Admins not using A4J
There is a REST API call for adding watchers to the issue:
For 9.x/5.x Add watcher
For 10.x Add Watcher
You can test locally using the API call to confirm the function and usage.
Consider including it in a script or post function to meet the requirements.
Conclusion
Through this exercise, you should be able to automatically add watchers to Jira Issues when they are created.
ℹ️ Please note that this is at the user level (not group level). You need to add the list of users to the automation rule.
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