As a Jira user, staying informed about critical issue changes is essential to business success. Jira’s native notification system, while relatively accommodating, is not flexible enough for all forms of complex workflows. This is where Watch It by Redmoon Software can help. Available for both Jira Cloud and Data Center, Watch It gives you a powerful, customizable way to track critical issue changes and notify the right people at the right time. Whether you’re a project manager focused on resolving high-priority bugs or a developer needing updates, Watch It transforms your Jira experience. Let’s discover how Watch It ensures you’re always in the loop, without the extra noise.
Key Features of Watch It
Watch It is an advanced Jira add-on that enhances issue tracking by allowing you to “watch” changes based on specific conditions. Available on the Atlassian Marketplace, this app automates how watchers are added to issues and delivers precise, targeted notifications. Watch It allows users to watch by JQL, issue type, component, priority, filter, and more. Additionally, users can create automatic watcher assignments based on configurable rules. Watch It uses Timed Trackers to notify users at scheduled times via email, webhook, or in-Jira notifications. It also supports batch notifications to reduce inbox clutter. Its last main feature is Watch It offers custom access controls and REST API support.
Watch It Notification Types
Watch It supports multiple notification types to ensure your alerts reach users in their preferred format:
- Email Notifications – Sent directly to individual users or groups.
- In-Jira Notifications – Delivered via a dashboard gadget for real-time visibility.
- Webhooks – Integrate with external systems like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or custom apps.
Notification rules can be set globally, at the project level, or within individual trackers. They can also be sent in batches which groups multiple changes into a single alert. This helps eliminate notification fatigue. Overall these settings provide admins control over how and when alerts are triggered.
Configuration Types
As previously mentioned, Watch It offers both Global Configuration and Project-Level Configuration to ensure maximum flexibility and governance.
Global Configuration
Global configuration provides several customization options. Administrators can configure automatic watcher creation when new issues are created. They can also control access to the “Add Watcher Rules” and “Trackers” tabs on a per-project basis. Additionally, they retrieve the token used for the REST API. Furthermore, they can define who is permitted to send notifications via email or webhooks and remove the requirement for view issue permissions in order to receive notifications.
Project Configuration
Project Configuration gives you full control over how Tracker-related emails are sent.
It allows you to choose between immediate delivery, delayed batching, or grouped notifications. If batch settings are defined in the global configuration, they override project-level settings unless a Tracker has its own configuration. If a Tracker has its own configuration, it takes precedence over both the project and global settings. This ensures that Tracker emails are sent exactly how and when you want. This approach lets admins control notification behavior across the organization while allowing project-specific flexibility.
Watcher Rules, Timed Trackers, and Logs
Adding Watcher Rules
Watch It allows users to add Watcher Rules. These rules configure Jira to automatically add users as watchers when issues are created or updated. Admin can add watchers based on fields like Issue Type, Priority, Component, and Labels. They can also configure these settings to watch issues modified by specific users. For example, users can monitor all changes made by trainees. In addition to this, the admin can combine multiple conditions for precise control. These rules notify newly added watchers via email automatically.
Timed Trackers
Timed Trackers allow you to schedule jobs that send notifications, add comments, or execute based on JQL or Jira filters. You can configure them to run daily, weekly, or monthly. Additionally, users may use Cron expressions to help schedule them. Timed Trackers support rich customization, such as run-as-user settings to define context and permissions. They offer email or in-Jira delivery and optional commenting on issues. Furthermore, users can filter Timed Trackers by issue fields or other public/private filters.
Timed trackers can achieve the following:
- Notify assignees daily when bugs are started but no time is logged.
- Send reminders when issues are approaching due dates.
- Alert users every hour if a critical issue remains open.
Logs
Every time a Timed Tracker runs, a log entry is created. These logs show when it ran, how many issues matched, how many errors were encountered, and the duration of the execution. Logs are retained for two weeks and are invaluable for debugging or auditing notification behaviors.
Visibility with Watch It
Watch It is more than just a notification add-on for Jira. It’s a smart assistant that ensures the right people are aware of the right issues at the right time. Watch It offers a scalable and user-friendly solution to streamline how your team stays informed on critical issues. Its easy configuration, flexible tracking options, and powerful automation capabilities empower teams to make better decisions. Whether you’re managing product development, IT operations, or QA, Watch It helps you transform how your team collaborates. If you’re ready to boost efficiency and productivity with Watch It, contact Redmoon Software and Atlassian Gold Solution Partner SPK and Associates today.
