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Field Contexts in Jira

Introduction

Jira, a popular issue tracking and project management tool, provides users with the flexibility to tailor fields according to the needs of their projects. One of the advanced features in Jira is the ability to define field contexts. Field contexts allow administrators to specify different configurations for custom fields based on specific conditions like issue types and projects. This tutorial will guide you through understanding and configuring field contexts in Jira.

What are Field Contexts?

Field contexts in Jira are configurations that define how custom fields behave based on the project and issue type. They allow you to:

  • Limit the scope of a custom field to specific projects and issue types.
  • Define different default values for different contexts.
  • Set different options for custom fields like select lists, checkboxes, etc.

Field contexts help in managing the complexity and clutter of custom fields by ensuring that they only appear where they are relevant.

Creating a Field Context

To create a field context in Jira, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Jira administration console.
  2. Go to Issues > Custom Fields.
  3. Find the custom field you want to configure and click on Contexts and default value under the Actions column.
  4. Click on Add new context.
  5. Fill in the necessary details such as the name of the context, applicable issue types, and projects.
  6. Click on Add to save the context.
Example:

Let's say you have a custom field called "Customer Priority". You can create different contexts for different projects:

  • A context for the "Support" project where the default value is "High".
  • A context for the "Development" project where the default value is "Low".

Editing a Field Context

To edit an existing field context, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Jira administration console.
  2. Go to Issues > Custom Fields.
  3. Find the custom field you want to configure and click on Contexts and default value under the Actions column.
  4. Click on the context you want to edit.
  5. Make the necessary changes and click Update.
Example:

If you want to change the default value of the "Customer Priority" field for the "Support" project to "Medium", you can do so by editing the context and updating the default value.

Deleting a Field Context

To delete a field context, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Jira administration console.
  2. Go to Issues > Custom Fields.
  3. Find the custom field you want to configure and click on Contexts and default value under the Actions column.
  4. Click on the context you want to delete.
  5. Click on Delete and confirm the deletion.
Example:

If you no longer need a specific context for the "Customer Priority" field in the "Development" project, you can delete the context to remove it.

Using Field Contexts Effectively

To make the most out of field contexts, consider the following tips:

  • Define contexts only when necessary to avoid overcomplicating your field configurations.
  • Use descriptive names for your contexts to easily identify their purpose.
  • Regularly review and clean up unused contexts to maintain a tidy configuration.
Example:

For a custom field named "Release Version", you can create different contexts for different release cycles: "Q1 2023", "Q2 2023", etc. This ensures that the field is relevant and accurately reflects the current release cycle.

Conclusion

Field contexts in Jira provide a powerful way to customize the behavior of custom fields based on specific projects and issue types. By understanding and effectively using field contexts, Jira administrators can create a more organized and relevant experience for their users. With the steps and examples provided in this tutorial, you should be well-equipped to start leveraging field contexts in your Jira instance.