Link type issue automation

[Andrea Robbins]

Hi everyone! Is there an automation to ensure that issues are only linked once with one link type?

For example, I have a duplicate automation rule so that issues with a similar description are linked with the "might relate to" link type, but it is also picking up issues that are already linked with other linked types like "split from", "relates to", and others. I want to avoid this. 

Thanks in advance!

[Simmo · Accepted solution]

@Andrea Robbins, there isn't anything in Jira Automation that can ensure this. The best approach are to put the checks into your rules before they do the linking. Automation cannot stop links happening but they can detect duplicates.

Your best bet is to solve this by doing a check up front before you link them.

[Andrea Robbins]

what are your thoughts on the automation shared below on my other comment below

[Simmo]

I'm not sure where you're planning on using it? As a guard?

[Andrea Robbins]

I plan on using it so the same issue doesn't get linked more than once. I changed it to this since the one I had below had an error: 

[Simmo]

That makes sense. I think you can probably simplify it to:

issuekey != {{issue.key}}

However, are you trying to refer to the issue that triggered the rule or the issue with the similar description?

If it is the one that triggered the rule you should change your smart value to:

issuekey != {{triggerIssue.key}}

[Andrea Robbins]

Thank you so much!

[Andrea Robbins]

I think I might have a solution if anyone is familiar with reg expressions: 

I keep getting an error though. I think my smart value is off maybe. 

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Andrea Robbins 

For JQL the summary field does not support the IN operator.  Instead you could try the contains operator: ~

Kind regards,
Bill

[Andrea Robbins]

Thank you! I am hoping the reg ex and smart values are correct and that the ~ was the issue. 

[Pramodh M]

@Andrea Robbins

Yeah, these kinds of Automations are efficient enough to identify the words, Jira is not an AI.

It's a Project Management tool. Link the issues manually you search through the duplicate issues and confirm whether they are exactly the same or nearly the same!!