How to remove duplicated linkages when automating linked issues based on similar descirption field

[ADITHI BALASUBRAMANIAN]

Hi, I created an automation that links issues based on similar descriptions, but the automation is making duplicated linkages. For example, if issue 1 and issue 2 are similar, then the automation will link issue 1 to issue 2, creating a link; and then when the automating gets to issue 2, it links issue 2 to issue 1. Thus creating a duplicated link.

I'm trying to figure out how I can edit the query or something to mitigate the duplication. But if anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @ADITHI BALASUBRAMANIAN -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

Without first seeing the specifics of your rule that performs the linkages, I would answer this scenario as: this may be possible.

Let's assume your rule uses logic which links one-and-only-one issue to another in a rule, with no branches in the rule.  In this case, you could add conditional logic to prevent adding a link if it already exists.

However if your rule uses branches that could have more-than-one-issue, this may not be possible within the rule.  The reason for this is such branches execute asynchronously and in parallel, and so there is no guarantee at what point in time the links would appear...up to the moment the rule finally completes.

If you post images of your rule and the audit log details, the community may be able to offer work-arounds to help.

Kind regards,
Bill

[ADITHI BALASUBRAMANIAN]

Hi Bill, thanks for the reply and clarifying the logic behind branches. I wasn't sure if they ran like for loops.

Also, It seems the problem has fixed itself. Is jira's automation buggy? I didn't change anything so I'm unsure as to why the duplication stopped happening

[Sam Harding]

Hi @ADITHI BALASUBRAMANIAN 

As @Bill Sheboy has indicated, what you are experiencing may be expected, depending on how the rule is structured and what conditions are being met. If your rule triggers of both issues 1 and 2, it is possible that the rule is configured such that creating the duplicates is "expected". If you would like us to look into this to ensure that Automation is working as expected, you could raise this through the support portal at https://getsupport.atlassian.com/ so the team can take a closer look. If it is a bug you are experiencing, we would love to get to the bottom of it!

Cheers
Sam

[MD]

Hi @ADITHI BALASUBRAMANIAN !

Not sure I understand what exactly you mean by "similar descriptions", but you may try to add "Related issues condition" for the linked issues on "Create task" and "Edit description action - to avoid duplicate issues attached. It does not allow a duplicated linked issue to be added and prevents its addition from the opposite ticket as well (outwardissue or inwardissue)

I attached the image with that rule below.

Hope it helps! )

Regards, 
MD