Workflow X Approval Path
Workflow Rules
This documentation outlines two features available in Approval Path for Jira: Restrict transition and Perform actions. These features allow teams to integrate approval logic directly into Jira workflows, helping enforce structured review processes, automate repetitive steps, and ensure that work items (issues) follow a consistent and traceable approval lifecycle.
In this documentation, you'll learn how to configure these two features.
If you're using the old workflow editor, click the transition, then go to Condition or Post function to add the Approval Path rule.
Click here to learn about the new workflow editor terminology
Restrict transition (Condition)
This feature prevents a work item (issue) from moving to the next status unless it has been approved using a specific approval definition. This ensures that items are properly reviewed before progressing through the workflow.
How to Configure:
Navigate to Settings → Work Items → Workflows.
Create or edit a workflow.
Add statuses and transitions.
Click the transition and add rule.
Select “Approval Path - Block transition until approval”
Once configured, work items (issues) that have not been approved using the selected definition will be blocked from transitioning to the next status.
Perform actions (Post-function)
The Perform actions rule allows you to trigger specific approval-related actions automatically after a transition occurs. These actions include:
Start an approval (approval definition must be selected)
Reject all approvals
Archive all approvals
Please note, only global definitions can be used for the “Start approval“ post-function.
How to Configure:
Navigate to Settings → Work Items → Workflows.
Create or edit a workflow.
Add statuses and transitions.
Click the transition and add rule.
Select “Approval Path actions”
Select one of actions - Start/Reject/Archive approvals
Once configured, applied rule will execute the configured actions after the transition, either by starting an approval, rejecting or archiving all approvals.
Approval in Action
When the work item transitions to In Review, the selected approval definition (e.g., "Feature Approval") is automatically triggered.
The transition to Ready to Deploy is then restricted until the approval is completed, ensuring the work item cannot proceed without proper review.
