Introducción a Jira Query Language (JQL) y Filtros Personalizados

The Jira Query Language (JQL) is a powerful tool that transforms the way we manage complex projects. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to find specific tasks among hundreds of issues, JQL will be your best ally. This advanced query language allows you to filter and locate exactly what you need with surgical precision, saving you valuable time and significantly improving your project management productivity.

What is JQL and why is it essential for project management?

JQL (Jira Query Language) is a specialized query language that works similarly to SQL, allowing you to perform advanced searches within Jira. Unlike basic filters, JQL offers extraordinary flexibility to combine multiple conditions and find exactly the tasks you need.

The basic structure of JQL is simple but powerful, and consists of three main elements:

• Field: the attribute you want to query
• Operator: the condition you apply
• Value: the specific data you are looking for

This structure follows the format: Field Operator Value, which makes even complex queries intuitive to construct. The true power of JQL lies in its ability to feed dashboards, reports and dashboards with accurate and relevant information, becoming the backbone of an efficient project management system.

What are the most used fields in JQL?

To master JQL, it is essential to know the most common fields that you can use in your queries:

• Status: allows you to filter by the current status of the task (to do, in progress, done).
• Assignee: filters by the user assigned to the task
• Priority: search for tasks according to their priority level (high, medium, low)
• Created: filters by task creation date
• Updated: finds tasks by their last update date
• Label: searches by the labels assigned to the tasks
• Project: specifies the project the tasks belong to

These fields are the basis for building effective queries that will help you quickly locate the information you need in your project.

How to use operators in JQL for precise queries?

Operators are fundamental to define the exact conditions of your search. These are the most used ones:

• = (equal to): search for tasks with a specific value.

  status = "In Progress

• != (different from): excludes tasks with the specified value

  priority != High

• AND / OR: combines multiple conditions

  status = "In Progress" AND assignee = John

• IN: searches for values within a list

  priority IN (High, Medium)

• NOT IN: excludes values from a list

  status NOT IN (Done, Cancelled)

• ORDER BY: sort the results according to a criterion

  created >= -7d ORDER BY priority DESC

Mastering these operators will allow you to create sophisticated queries that respond exactly to your information needs, saving you valuable time in the daily management of your projects.

How to take advantage of JQL's special functions for temporary searches?

JQL offers special functions that facilitate time-based searches, especially useful for day-to-day management:

• startOfDay(): searches for tasks from the start of the current day.

  created >= startOfDay()

• endOfDay(): finds tasks until the end of the day

  duedate <= endOfDay()

• -Xd: find tasks in the last X days

  updated >= -7d

These functions are particularly useful for daily follow-ups, weekly reports or to identify tasks that require immediate attention.

How to create and manage custom filters in Jira?

Custom filters are saved JQL queries that you can constantly reuse. Their main advantage is that they allow you to quickly access specific views of your tasks without having to rewrite the query each time.

To create a custom filter:

1. Go to the top bar and select "Filters."
2. Choose "View all filters".
3. Click on "Create filter".
4. Type your JQL query (for example: status = "To Do" AND assignee = "Wilson Pulido" AND project = "Entregue Fácil")
5. Click "Search" to check the results
6. Select "Save filter" and give it a descriptive name
7. Set privacy permissions (who can view and edit the filter)
8. Click "Save".

These filters can be shared with your team and used to feed Scrum boards, Kanban or dashboard widgets, which significantly improves collaboration and project visibility.

How to use artificial intelligence to create JQL filters?

One way to streamline the creation of filters is by using Jira's built-in artificial intelligence:

1. Go to "Filters" and select "Create Filter."
2. Instead of manually typing the query, describe in natural language what you need (e.g. "Create a filter for the Easy Delivery project from tasks that were already solved").
3. Click "Go" to have the AI generate the JQL query.
4. Review and adjust the generated query as needed
5. Click "Search" to verify the results
6. Save the filter if it meets your needs

It is important to always review the query generated by the AI before using it, as it may require adjustments to perfectly suit your specific needs.

JQL is a fundamental tool that every Jira project manager should master. With practice, you will create increasingly sophisticated queries that will allow you to find exactly what you need in seconds. What JQL queries do you commonly use in your projects? Share your experiences and learn from other users in the comments section.