JIRA Quick Search and the issue key prefix
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
Understanding how JIRA Quick Search and smart query work
The Quick Search box (at the top-right of your JIRA screen) can find issues and projects with "suggestions as you type", however when in a project or if you search for the project key it enables the smart query (you can disable smart query right when you type only the project key).
With the smart query enabled when you type just the number (e.g. '22') you will be directed to that issue number in the current project (KBB in the example).
If any other string is typed in the search, the text you entered will be set in the JQL for an overall text search ('text ~') and will be searched in all projects, even with smart query turned on.
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