---
title: "Use commands (CLI) to create and update Jira issues"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/JIFS/722338340/Use%20commands%20(CLI)%20to%20create%20and%20update%20Jira%20issues"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (aura-html)

# Overview

Using commands to interact with Jira from Slack.

- You can interact with the app directly or in channels where the bot is invited.
- You can type **help** to the bot anytime to get a reminder of the command syntax.

# Prerequisites

You must invite the bot to the channel to use this feature.

Check out a [complete list of commands and their behaviors](https://support.appfire.com/space/JIFS/1273167887).

### Accessing the app in Slack

1. Navigate to the *Apps* section in Slack.
2. Click **Jira Integration+**.

### Get syntax reminders with the help command

1. Go to the *messages* tab in Slack.
2. Type `help` and hit **enter**.

The bot gives you real examples based on tickets you can access in Jira.

### Expand issue information

Send a message in Slack that includes **one or more Jira issue keys**.

### Create issues

You can use a number of other options to create issues from Slack.

1. Start with the keyword `create`.
2. Add the issue type after the keyword, for example, task, sub-task, or story.
3. Add the project where the issue should be created. Use the project Jira code. In the example above, JID is the project Jira code.
4. Add the `issue name/title` for the ticket.
5. Add additional fields to complete your ticket.
  - description - add a description.
  - priority - set the issue priority.
  - assignee - who the issue should be assigned to.

### Add comment

1. Type the keyword `comment` followed by the `issue key`, for example, DEMO-124.
2. Enter your **comment**.

### Watch issue

1. Type the keyword `watch`.
2. Type a Jira `issue key`, for example, `watch DEMO-123`.

### Unwatch issue

1. Type the keyword `unwatch`.
2. Type a Jira `issue key`, for example, `unwatch DEMO-123`.

### Assign with the command line

1. Type the keyword `assign`.
2. Type a Jira `issue key`, for example, DEMO-124.
3. Mention the user you want to assign the issue with the @ pattern.

> You can use @me to assign it to yourself.

### Unassign with the command line

1. Type the keyword `unassign`.
2. Type a Jira `issue key`, for example, DEMO-124.
3. The full command is:  
`unassign`DEMO-124

### Log time

1. Type the keyword `log`.
2. Type the `amount of time`, for example, 2h, 1w, 1d, or 2.5h.
3. Type a Jira `issue key`, for example, DEMO-124.
4. Enter a **comment** (optional).

### Search for issues

#### Search by sprint

1. Go to the channel and type sprint XX, where XX is the name of the sprint.
  1. You can substitute **current** for sprint name if you want results for the current active sprint.
  2. To return for a specific sprint and project, type **sprint XX YY**, where XX is the name of the sprint, and YY is the name of the project.

#### Search by user

1. Go to the channel and type `issues @user`, where `@user` is the Jira user name to filter by.
2. The following commands can also be used to retrieve a list of issues for a specific user:
  - issues (user)
  - my tickets
  - my priorities
  - my issues

#### Search by advanced (JQL)

The Jira query language (JQL) allows for complex issue searches. This is how you can create queries in Jira and then utilize them with Nextup. You can write JQL formatted messages directly in Slack, create them in Jira, and copy the syntax into Slack.

1. Log in to Jira and go to **Search Issues**.
2. Create your search via the *basic* or *advanced* tabs.
3. Copy the **JQL** from Jira. If using the basic search, **switch to JQL**.
4. Go to the channel where the bot is installed. Type `Jira search` and **paste the JQL** from the above step.