Q6 of 14 · JIRA

What is JQL and what are the most useful queries for a QA engineer?

JIRAJuniorjirajqlfilteringreporting

Short answer

Short answer: JQL (JIRA Query Language) is a structured query language for filtering issues. It uses field operators and values: project = X AND issuetype = Bug AND status = Open ORDER BY priority DESC.

Detail

JQL syntax: field operator value [AND/OR field operator value] [ORDER BY field]

Most useful QA queries:

All open bugs in current sprint:

project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Bug AND sprint in openSprints() AND status != Done
ORDER BY priority DESC

Bugs assigned to me:

assignee = currentUser() AND issuetype = Bug AND status in (Open, "In Progress")

Stories ready for QA testing:

project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Story AND status = "Ready for QA"
ORDER BY priority DESC

Bugs found in the last 7 days:

project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Bug AND created >= -7d
ORDER BY created DESC

Bugs reopened more than twice (custom field):

project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Bug AND "Reopen Count" > 2

Unresolved bugs by component:

project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Bug AND component = "Checkout" AND resolution = Unresolved

Common operators:

  • =, !=, in, not in
  • >, <, >=, <= for dates and numbers
  • ~ for text contains (fuzzy), !~ for text not contains
  • -7d for relative dates, startOfWeek(), endOfMonth() for dynamic ranges

Save frequently used queries as filters and pin them to your JIRA dashboard.

// EXAMPLE

# Copy into JIRA's JQL search bar:

# All critical open bugs not assigned to anyone
project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Bug AND priority in (Blocker, Critical)
AND assignee is EMPTY AND status != Done

# Stories verified this sprint (closed by QA)
project = MYAPP AND issuetype = Story AND status = Done
AND sprint in closedSprints() AND sprint = "Sprint 42"

// WHAT INTERVIEWERS LOOK FOR

Correct JQL syntax. At least 3 QA-relevant queries. openSprints(), currentUser(), and relative date (-7d) as useful built-ins.