Hey everyone,
I’m looking for advice on Jira add-ons. Our team wants to install some new ones, but our admins are worried they might cause problems when it’s time to update Jira.
Is there a way to check if an add-on will play nice with future Jira versions? Like a special stamp or something that shows it’s compatible with newer releases?
We don’t want to end up in a situation where we can’t update Jira because a popular add-on stops working. Any tips on how to avoid this would be super helpful!
Thanks in advance for your input!
I’ve managed Jira for several years, and add-on compatibility is always a concern. One approach that’s worked well for us is to opt for cloud-hosted Jira when possible. Atlassian handles most of the update issues there, so you’re less likely to run into compatibility problems.
If you’re on server or data center, I’d suggest looking at the add-on’s compatibility matrix. Most reputable developers maintain these, showing which Jira versions their add-on supports. Also, keep an eye on the add-on’s release notes and update frequency. Active development is a good sign.
Lastly, we’ve found it helpful to join the add-on’s user community or forum. Users often post about compatibility issues there, giving you a heads-up on potential problems before you update. It’s not foolproof, but it’s helped us avoid some nasty surprises.
yo dancingbird, tricky situation! i’ve been there. one tip is check the supported versions on the marketplace listing. also, pick add-ons from well-known devs—they tend to update regularly. there’s always some risk, so testing on a staging env is smart. good luck!
From my experience managing Jira instances, there’s no foolproof way to guarantee future compatibility. However, I’ve found a few strategies that help mitigate risks. First, prioritize add-ons from Atlassian Marketplace Partners. These vendors typically maintain their products more diligently. Second, review the add-on’s update history and frequency. Regularly updated add-ons are more likely to stay compatible. Lastly, maintain a test environment where you can trial updates before applying them to production. This approach has saved us from potential disruptions numerous times. Remember, even with precautions, occasional incompatibilities may occur, so always have a rollback plan ready.