Welcome to another edition of "Tea with the Sparks", your go-to source for updates from the Atlassian ecosystem. Whether you're a Jira admin, a Confluence power user, or just exploring what these tools can do, this week brings some exciting news.
Let’s dive in! ☕
1. 🖥️ Atlassian Command Line Interface (CLI) – Coming Soon!
Atlassian is preparing to launch an official Command Line Interface (CLI), which is exciting for those who love scripting and automation.
Why It Matters:
- Great for automating Jira/Confluence tasks
- Complements REST API usage
- Speeds up repetitive admin work
🔧 If you’re already working with REST APIs or ScriptRunner, the upcoming CLI will likely build on the same principles.
👉 Tip: Sign up for the open beta to get early access!
🎥 Also check out my course on Mastering Jira REST API to stay ahead.
2. 🎨 Customizable Help Center in Jira Service Management
A much-needed update! Atlassian has improved the Help Center customization in JSM.
What You Can Now Do:
- Add logo, banner, and custom colors
- Improve branding for client-facing portals
- Move closer to a web-like experience
Previously, you had to rely on third-party plugins like Refined Theme. This is a huge step forward, but there’s still room for deeper customization.
3. 🌍 Anonymous Access in Confluence Spaces
Want to make parts of your documentation public? Atlassian now allows anonymous access to Confluence spaces.
Use Cases:
- Public knowledge base
- Open product documentation
- Shareable roadmaps
⚠️ Be careful with permissions—you don’t want to accidentally leak confidential info. Always review your space-level and page-level permissions.
4. 👥 Teams Are (Finally) Getting Useful
The “Teams” feature in Jira has often been confusing. But Atlassian is now integrating Teams more tightly with Confluence and other tools.
What’s Changing:
- Teams can now be associated with projects and Confluence spaces
- Possibly a step toward a true “System of Work”
While still evolving, this could simplify how teams collaborate across the Atlassian suite. I’ll keep exploring this and report back.
5. 📅 Upcoming Event: Automating Processes in JSM
There’s a virtual event scheduled soon focused on automated process templates triggered by Jira Service Management.
Think:
- Employee onboarding/offboarding
- Repeatable tasks via automation rules
- Low-code/no-code process design
6. 🧭 The New Jira UI: Growing Pains
Yes, it’s still here—and yes, it’s still confusing users.
The new Jira interface (left-hand nav, project settings layout) has caused frustration, especially among long-time users.
🎯 Recommendation:
- Communicate the changes early
- Offer mini training for your teams
- Accept that it’ll take a few weeks to adjust
7. 🛠️ Hiding Jira Workflow Transitions: A Deep Dive
A frequent question I get:
"How can I hide or restrict a workflow transition in Jira?"
✅ The answer lies in conditions and validators.
- Use conditions to restrict access based on roles or fields
- Use validators to enforce field completion or data logic
You can’t have multiple workflows per issue type, but you can design a single smart workflow that adapts based on user actions.
Final Thoughts
That’s a wrap for this week’s Atlassian update! From powerful automation options to long-awaited customization features, the ecosystem continues to evolve.
📩 Join the conversation in the comments or reach out if you have questions.
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