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Getting started with Jira: 6 basic steps
Before you begin this tutorial, sign up for your free trial of Jira Software Cloud. This guide will help you set up your first project, so keep this tab open while you sign up. Go on, we'll wait here.
Want to get started with Jira Software Server? Go here >>
Step 1 — Create a project
- In the top-left corner, click the Jira home icon (
, 
, 
, 
). - Click Projects.
- In the top-right corner, select Create project.
Step 2 — Pick a template
Project templates help teams get up and running quickly with default settings and features for a variety of use cases. In Jira Software Cloud, there are two types of project templates:
classic and next-gen.
Classic templates include the advanced customization and flexibility that Jira Software was originally built for. Next-gen templates showcase the reimagined Jira Software experience with simplified configuration and customization options.
Check out our article on Atlassian Community for more info on next-gen projects.
Classic
All the power and options that Jira Software is known for
Scrum
For agile teams that work from a backlog, plan and estimate their work in sprints, and deliver work on a regular schedule.
Kanban
For agile teams that monitor work in a continuous flow (rather than in sprints), with a focus on managing in-progress work. (Includes the option of a kanban backlog.)
Bug tracking
For teams that don't need boards and prefer to manage development tasks and bugs in a list view.
NEXT-GEN
A reimagined, redesigned, and simplified experience
Scrum
For teams that want a fast setup and less configuration. Deliver work in sprints using a redesigned, simplified experience.
Kanban
For teams who want a fast setup and less configuration. Monitor work in a continuous flow using a redesigned, simplified experience.
Step 3 - Set up your board
A board displays issues from one or more projects, giving you a flexible way of viewing, managing, and reporting on work in progress. The type of board you set up depends on the project template you chose (classic scrum or kanban, and next-gen scrum or kanban).
Whether you work with scrum or kanban, Jira Software can create a perfect board that adds a touch of productivity magic to your team's process.
Although there are many things you can configure on your board, we suggest just setting up columns for now. When you're getting started on a new Jira Software project, it's important to make your board reflect the way your team works.
If you're not sure what your team's workflow is or should be, here is a resource to help you get started.
To set up board columns:
- Navigate to your team's board by selecting Active sprints (for Scrum projects) or Kanban board (for Kanban projects) in the project menu on the left.
- Select more (•••) > Board settings in the top-right corner.
3. Select Columns.
4. Select Add column to add a column for each step in your team's process.
For example, if work needs to pass through a QA step before it's considered to be complete, you could add a column called "QA" and put it before Done.
The most important part about setting up your board is getting the columns right. Ideally, your board should reflect the way your team works. Select + to add a column to your board.
Rearrange columns by dragging them in the order you want.
Step 4 - Create an issue
Issues are the building blocks of your Jira Software project. An issue can represent a story, epic, bug, feature to be built, or any other task in your project.
Scrum and kanban are two frameworks for agile project management. In Jira Software, scrum vs. kanban projects have different features to help teams that are using either framework.
For Scrum teams: Select Backlog in the project menu on the left and then hit + Create issue to start adding work to your team's backlog.
For Kanban teams: Navigate to your Kanban board and select + in the global menu on the left. Your issue will appear in the Backlog column.
You can configure issues in lots of different ways. Here's a tutorial.
For Scrum teams: Select Backlog in the project menu on the left and hit + Create issue to add an issue to your backlog. You also have the option of adding an issue directly to the sprint, if that's what you prefer.
For Kanban teams: Select Board in the project menu on the left, hover over any of your columns, and click +. You can also create issues on the Backlog, if you have it enabled.
Step 5 - Invite your team
It’s time to get the party started! Once you have enough work represented on your board, start inviting team members. To get your team involved, start by adding each team member to your Jira site:
- In the project menu on the left, select Project settings.
- Select People.
- In the top-right corner, select Add people.
- Search for your team member's email address, and select Add.
- Navigate to either your Board or Backlog.
- At the top of the screen, select Add people.
3. Search for your team member's email address and select Add.
Step 6 - Set up my workflow
Now that your team is in your Jira site, you're ready to collaborate and track work together. If you're in a Scrum project, you'll need to create and start a sprint to begin tracking work. If you're in a Kanban project, you can start tracking work on the board. To track work items, move an issue from one column to another as it progresses through your team's workflow.
Make sure to leave comments on issues so that everyone on the team can follow what's going on; this creates an open way of working, instead of restricting communicating between two people via private emails.
Bonus stuff
Advanced workflows
Although we set up your workflow using columns back in Step 3, you can also add more power to your team's workflow using the workflow editor. Here's how:
- In your project, select Project Settings > Workflows.
- Select the 'edit' icon under Actions, and Jira automatically does the following:
- Creates a draft copy of the system workflow named 'Your Project Name Workflow (Draft)'.
- Creates a new workflow scheme for the workflow named 'Your Project Name Workflow Scheme'.
- Associates any existing issues in your project with the new workflow.
- You can now edit your draft workflow. Click on a status or transition to see editing options in the panel that appears.
When you are finished, click Publish Draft. The dialog allows you to publish your draft and, optionally, save your original workflow as an inactive backup.
Advanced rules
Although we set up your workflow using columns back in Step 3, you can also set up additional rules for your board to give your team more guardrails. Here's how:
- Select Board in the project menu on the left.
- In the top-rigth corner, select more (•••) > Manage rules.
- Click Add rule.
- Choose the rule you want to add from the list, then click Select.
- Fill out the required information to set up your rule, and click Add.
- To see the rule in action, create a test issue on your board and move it to the column with your new rule.
Additional Resources
Bookmark these resources to stay connected with fellow Jira users, for ongoing updates about new features in Jira Software Cloud, and the latest documentation.