Is there a way in automation or workflow to set Activity start date when issue is moved 'InProgress"

[Steve Josue]

In JIRA Data Center 9.1.0 is there a way in Automation or Workflow that when a ticket gets moved to a particular workflow state, that we can set a custom date field, 'activity start date' to the current system date?

[Joseph Chung Yin · Accepted solution]

@Steve Josue 

Hi Steve:

You have two options to accomplish this, please take a look below -

Option 1 - Customize your WF by adding a post function call to update the custom date field based on your criteria.  You may need additional paid add-ons for this type of WF customization which one can implement with little or no coding required

https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/6820/scriptrunner-for-jira?hosting=cloud&tab=overview

https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/292/jira-misc-workflow-extensions-jmwe?hosting=cloud&tab=overview

Option 2 - Create automation rule via Automation for Jira (this comes with your JSM subscription out of the box).  Where the rule can be triggered off by "Issue Transitioned" event + create condition (your criteria) and then conduct an Edit Issue action.  Here are the links for automation rules setup for your reference -

https://support.atlassian.com/cloud-automation/docs/jira-cloud-automation/

https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira/automation-template-library#/rule-list?systemLabelId=all&page=1&pageSize=20&sortKey=name&sortOrder=ASC

https://support.atlassian.com/cloud-automation/docs/jira-smart-values-issues/  (This gives you the ability to reference issue's data for further customizations)

Hope this helps.

Best, Joseph Chung Yin

Jira/JSM Functional Lead, Global Technology Applications Team

[Steve Josue]

Thank you Joseph! so I have the rule built using your option 2. I have the transition step in place and want to set the current date to the "Activity Start Date' which I have up now, but it wants me to use the date picker? How can I simply set it to "current date?

Thank you!

-Steve

[Joseph Chung Yin]

@Steve Josue -

Using smart value, you can use the following to reference current date -

Referencing the current date/time
You can reference the current date and time using {{now}}.

Here is additional reference on using Smart Value in your automation rule setup -

https://support.atlassian.com/cloud-automation/docs/examples-of-using-smart-values-with-dates/

Best, Joseph

[Steve Josue]

...And it works perfectly!!!!

thank you so much for helping solve this and also for the wealth of information you provided for me!!

Best,

Steve Josue