Jira automation - linking issue rule throwing errors when I wouldn't expect the rule to run

[Kara Nadarajah]

I have set up a Jira automation rule which seeks to link issues via issue links (relates to) if someone comments with a Jira reference on the ticket.

However, every time someone comments and the comment does not include a Jira ticket reference, the rule is throwing an error.  In this case I wouldn't expect the rule to work since nobody has commented a Jira ticket reference.  The comments do include our own internal references or dates, but why does Jira throw an error with the automation rule in this case?  Is the regex i've used incorrect? Our ticket references begin 'FB-'

I followed the steps on this blog to set the rule up - https://blog.codebarrel.io/automatically-linking-issues-just-got-that-much-easier-25601d552e5a

[John Funk · Accepted solution]

Hi Kara,

The issue is going to run every time a comment is added based on the trigger you have. 

But you should probably add a Condition between the two steps so it doesn't try to do the Link Issue part if it's not valid. 

[Kara Nadarajah]

Thanks - can you tell me what condition I would add?

[John Funk]

Sounds like you need JQL - but I am not sure what criteria you are using. When is it you want to fire and link?

[Kara Nadarajah]

When someone comments on a ticket and the comment includes a Jira ticket reference, I want the tickets to link via the 'relates to' link

[John Funk]

So how will you know there is a Jira ticket reference? Are you able to parse out some text? Maybe something like Summary ~ "FB-"

[Kara Nadarajah]

I thought that's what the regex above was doing? I have followed the instructions on that blog  https://blog.codebarrel.io/automatically-linking-issues-just-got-that-much-easier-25601d552e5a

But have replaced their ticket AUT with my project ticket reference of FB

[John Funk]

That would cause it to fail with an error - which it does. The condition would just keep from sending you an error. 

[Kara Nadarajah]

So how do I solve this problem? I don't know what JQL or condition to use.  Thanks

[John Funk]

How EXACTLY are you identifying Jira ticket references?

[Kara Nadarajah]

With what I have provided in the screenshot above, which I obtained by following the instructions on that blog I have referenced.

[John Funk]

Not sure I am following but what I am gathering is that your are using FB- to see if there is a Jira Issue reference. If not, I have not idea what your criteria is.

So, maybe something like Summary ~ "FB-" in your condition. 

[Kara Nadarajah]

Yes, our ticket numbers start with FB-

As mentioned above, if someone makes a comment on a ticket and that comment includes FB-xxxx then I want the Jira automation to automatically link the ticket mentioned in the comment to the ticket being commented on.

I thought that is what I had set up based on the instructions in that blog, but obviously not and it's very confusing for something that seems like it should be simple....

[John Funk]

It is but you said you are getting errors when the issue doesn’t have the FB- reference. The way to avoid that is to move the check to a condition before the link.

[Kara Nadarajah]

Thanks, but I don't know about Summary ~ "FB-" since the ticket reference won't be in the summary? Should it be Comment ~ "FB-" instead?

[John Funk]

Yes, I'm sorry - should have been Comment not Summary  :-(

[Kara Nadarajah]

Great, thanks, I'll give that a go, hopefully that's the end of that haha 😊

[John Funk]

It's definitely frustrating to get error messages when it just didn't find anything that was corresponding. The Condition is definitely your friend there. 

[Kara Nadarajah]

Great, that's worked now, no longer getting errors, thanks!

[John Funk]

Awesome!