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Links and Hierarchy JQL Functions

Overview​

These JQL functions allow you to find issues based on their relationships with other issues, including links between issues (both directions) and parent-child hierarchies.

Functions​

linkedByQuery​

Finds issues that are linked to by issues matching the specified JQL subquery (incoming links).

Syntax:

issue in linkedByQuery("subquery")

Parameters:

  • subquery (required): A valid JQL query that defines the source issues

Example:

issue in linkedByQuery("project = SER and status = Done")

Finds all issues that are linked to by issues in the SER project with Done status.

linksQuery​

Finds issues that are linked from issues matching the specified JQL subquery (outgoing links).

Syntax:

issue in linksQuery("subquery")

Parameters:

  • subquery (required): A valid JQL query that defines the source issues

Example:

issue in linksQuery("project = SER and status = Done")

Finds all issues that are linked from issues in the SER project with Done status.

childrenOf​

Finds child issues (subtasks or issues with parent) of issues matching the specified JQL subquery.

Syntax:

issue in childrenOf("subquery")

Parameters:

  • subquery (required): A valid JQL query that defines the parent issues

Example:

issue in childrenOf("project = SER and issuetype = Story")

Finds all subtasks that belong to stories in the SER project.

parentOf​

Finds parent issues of issues matching the specified JQL subquery.

Syntax:

issue in parentOf("subquery")

Parameters:

  • subquery (required): A valid JQL query that defines the child issues

Example:

issue in parentOf("project = SER and issuetype = Sub-task")

Finds all parent issues of subtasks in the SER project.

Supported Operators​

All functions support:

  • in - issues matching the function result
  • not in - issues not matching the function result

Examples​

Finding issues linked to high-priority bugs​

issue in linkedByQuery("priority = Highest and issuetype = Bug")

Finding issues not linked to any stories​

issue not in linkedByQuery("issuetype = Story")

Finding subtasks of stories in a specific sprint​

issue in childrenOf("issuetype = Story and sprint = 'Sprint 42'")

Finding parent stories of subtasks assigned to current user​

issue in parentOf("issuetype = Sub-task and assignee = currentUser()")

Finding issues linked from stories in a specific component​

issue in linksQuery("issuetype = Story and component = 'Frontend'")

Performance Considerations​

  • Results are calculated based on the current state of issues at the time of the query
  • Link changes are automatically detected and processed when issues are linked or unlinked
  • Query results reflect the current link state in real-time