Jack Wallen shows you how to add a GitHub shortcut to a Jira project so you can view information about branches, commits, and pull requests in Jira issues.
If Jira is your project management solution of choice, you know you have a world of options at your fingertips. When your projects are software development in nature, you are fully aware that your teams need to have some sort of connection to code repositories like GitHub.
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Jira includes one such feature, which not only gives your team members quick access to a specific GitHub repository, but also makes it easier for members to create branches and commits. I’ll show you how this can all be done easily.
One thing to keep in mind is that the connection doesn’t really ramify and engages in a point-and-click affair. What it does do, however, is automatically create the commands your members should run from the Git CLI, making it easier for them to create the branches and commits with a distinct Jira flavor. I’ll explain this a bit.
What you need to add a GitHub repository in Jira
For this to work, you need both a valid Jira account and a GitHub account. You also need a GitHub repository to connect to Jira. That is it.
How to create the GitHub shortcut
The first thing you need to do is log into your GitHub account. There, find the repository you want to link to, click the Code dropdown and make sure to copy the HTTPS link, which looks something like this:
https://github.com/USERNAME/fleet-infra.git
Where USERNAME is the username associated with the GitHub account.
Once you have the link to your repository, log into your Jira account and navigate to the project. On the project page, you will see Add Shortcut in the left navigation. Click on that link and in the resulting popup click on Add Associated With Repository (Image A).
Image A
In the following popup (Figure B), paste the repository link, give it a name and click Connect.
Figure B
At this point you should see a link to the repository in the left navigation (Figure C).
Figure C
Now anyone with access to the project page can quickly access the GitHub shortcut.
Connect GitHub to Jira
We also need to add an app to get more GitHub features. For more detailed information on how to make this connection, see How to integrate GitHub and Jira. For the quick fix, click the Apps dropdown and then Explore more apps. In the Apps Marketplace, search for GitHub and then click the entry for GitHub For Jira. On the resulting page, click Download App to install.
Once the app is installed, it will show up in your installed app listings. Expand the GitHub for Jira list, then click Get Started (Figure D).
Figure D
In the resulting window, click Connect GitHub Organization. You will be redirected to yet another page, where you need to click Connect (Digits E) to create the connection between GitHub and Jira.
Digits E
The connection will take a few seconds, but once it’s done, you’re good to go.
How to use the connection?
Your team members now have quick access to the appropriate GitHub repository, but they can also find a way to create branches and commits when they create an issue. This is how it works:
- Log in to the Jira site and access the associated project.
- Open an issue.
- You should now see a new section titled Development.
- Click on the Create Branch dropdown and you should see the command used to create the branch (Figure F).
Figure F
You would then go to a terminal window on a machine that is also connected to the GitHub repository and then paste/execute the command. The same goes for the Commit option in a Jira problem. Copy the command and then run it through the CLI on your desktop computer. You will also see an issue key for the commits. Make sure to add those issue keys to the commits to link them to your Jira issues.
While your teams won’t be working directly with code, this is a great way to simplify the workflow between Jira and GitHub. If you’re using those two platforms, I highly recommend making this connection and see if it can help your teams work a little more efficiently with your GitHub repositories.
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