How to automatically self assign a Jira issue during a transition
Platform Notice: Data Center Only - This article only applies to Atlassian products 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
When an issue is transitioned to "In Progress", you may want the issue to be automatically assigned to the person who transitions it.
Solution
To do this, you will need to configure a workflow post-function, and allow people other than the assignee to move the issue to "In Progress", as described below.
This page does not apply if you are using the Simplified Workflow, because:
Simplified Workflows should not be configured via JIRA Administration; and
although Simplified Workflow does not perform auto-assign, it does by default allow people other than the assignee to move issues to "In Progress". You can quickly assign issues to yourself using the "i" keyboard shortcut
Configuring a Workflow Post-Function to Auto-Assign Issues
Log in as a user with the 'JIRA Administrators' global permission.
In the menu bar, select Settings (cog icon in top right), then choose Issues > Workflows.
Click the Edit link next to the workflow you are using.
Click Text to display the workflow's transitions.
Click the In Progress transition (or any other transition you want to configure this for), then click Post Functions.
Click Add, then select Assign to current user.
Click the Add button to create your new post-function. Your Start Progress transition should now look something like this:
Note that your users will also need to have the "Assignable Users" project permission.
Allowing people other than the Assignee to "Start Progress" on an Issue
Log in as a user with the 'JIRA Administrators' global permission.
In the menu bar, select Settings (cog icon in top right), then choose Issues > Workflows.
Click the Edit link next to the workflow you are using.
Click Text to display the workflow's transitions.
Click the Start Progress transition, then click the Conditions tab.
Delete the condition Only the Assignee of this issue can execute the transition.
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