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Links and Hierarchy JQL Functions

This document describes the JQL functions available for querying issue links and hierarchical relationships in Jira.

Overview​

These JQL functions allow you to find issues based on their relationships with other issues, including:

  • Links between issues (both directions)
  • Parent-child relationships
  • Subtask hierarchies

Available Functions​

linkedByQuery(jql)​

Finds issues that are linked to issues matching the specified JQL subquery.

Example:

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

This query finds all issues that are linked to any issues in the SER project that are in the Done status.

linksQuery(jql)​

Finds issues that are linked from issues matching the specified JQL subquery.

Example:

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

This query finds all issues that are linked from any issues in the SER project that are in the Done status.

childrenOf(jql)​

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

Example:

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

This query finds all subtasks that belong to stories in the SER project.

parentOf(jql)​

Finds parent issues of issues matching the specified JQL subquery.

Example:

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

This query finds all parent issues of subtasks in the SER project.

Usage Notes​

  1. All functions require a valid JQL subquery as their argument.
  2. The functions support the following operators: "in", "not in"
  3. Results are calculated based on the current state of issues at the time of the query.
  4. Real-time Updates: Link changes are automatically detected and processed when issues are linked or unlinked, ensuring query results reflect the current link state.

Syntax​

The general syntax for using these functions in JQL is:

issue [operator] function("jql_subquery")

Where:

  • operator is either "in" or "not in"
  • function is one of: linkedByQuery, linksQuery, childrenOf, parentOf
  • jql_subquery is a valid JQL query that returns a set of issues

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 a specific 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'")
  • Switching to JQL Mode: In the Issue Navigator, you can switch from basic to JQL mode to utilize these functions.