Streamlining Workflows with Atlassian Command Line Interface (CLI) Tools

If you are a developer or administrator working with Atlassian tools, read this.

As someone who has worked extensively with Atlassian platforms like Jira, Bitbucket, and Confluence, I know firsthand how tedious manual workflows can become over time. That’s exactly why Command Line Interface (CLI) tools feel like a game-changer, especially when trying to streamline repetitive tasks. These tools provide an efficient way to automate processes, integrate systems, and manage data through simple, text-based commands.

Exploring the capabilities of Atlassian CLI tools

Atlassian CLI tools truly excel at optimizing workflows and enhancing productivity. Whether you’re managing Jira issues, automating sprint planning, or working through extensive documentation in Confluence, CLI tools deliver the flexibility and functionality you need to handle it all. From assigning tasks and transitioning issues to cloning workspaces, they’re indispensable companions for anyone aiming to maximize efficiency using Atlassian products. Let’s dig into how these tools can transform your workload.

Jira Command Line Interface (CLI)

Basic Commands

I’ve found that the Jira Command Line Interface (CLI) simplifies a lot of daily tasks by offering a range of basic commands. For example, the `jira issue` command makes managing Jira issues effortless.

With this command, you can create, assign, clone, comment, delete, edit, link, move, and view issues—all within the project you’re working on. Here are some specific ways this can be used:

Want to create a new issue? Use the `jira issue create` command, then customize it with flags to include specifics like the issue type, summary, priority, or even the assignee.

If you need to get a list of issues in your project, the `jira issue list` command comes in handy. You can filter the results based on criteria, such as status, assignee, or creation date. For example, you could retrieve high-priority issues created this month with the label "backend" using this command: `$ jira issue list -yHigh -s"To Do" --created month -lbackend -a$(jira me)`.

Other useful commands include `jira issue assign` to delegate an issue to someone, `jira issue clone` to duplicate it, and `jira issue link` for connecting two issues.

Advanced Usage

As helpful as those basic commands are, the advanced features of the Jira CLI open doors to more intricate interactions. One standout feature is leveraging JQL (Jira Query Language) for searching and filtering issues. With the `--jql` or `-q` option, you can run precise JQL queries within the project’s context.

For instance, if your goal is to list issues in a project where the summary contains the word "cli," you’d use a command like: `$ jira issue list -q "summary ~ cli"`.

The CLI also offers flexibility in how issues are displayed. You can switch to a plain table view, which I find helpful when scripting, and customize the columns you need. You can even show all fields completely with options like `--plain` and `--no-truncate`.

Need to manage sprints? Commands like `jira sprint list` let you view sprints either in an explorer-style display or a table view. You can even filter issues within specific sprints, depending on your criteria.

Scripting and Automation

For bigger projects (or repetitive tasks), the Jira CLI really shines with its scripting and automation capabilities. It's an excellent tool for automating recurring jobs and connecting Jira to other platforms and tools. I’ve used it to save hours by creating scripts with replacement variables or using find/replace functions to handle hundreds of actions at once.

Commands like `run` and its variants—such as `runFromList`, `runFromCSV`, and `runFromSQL`—are perfect for advanced scripting automation.

The CLI also handles advanced data imports and exports remarkably well. It lets you schedule imports or exports to automatically run when needed, which is valuable for tasks like pre-migration clean-ups or auditing. Another bonus is how easily it integrates with tools like monday.com Work Platform | Made For Work, Designed To Love  or databases such as PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle.

For developers like me, the ability to integrate the Jira CLI within tools such as VS Code is a game-changer. You can write and execute commands right inside your coding environment—streamlining your workflow significantly.

Bitbucket CLI Operations

Navigating Repositories

The Bitbucket Command Line Interface (CLI) has significantly simplified the process of managing repositories, which previously seemed daunting. Users can now efficiently perform repository tasks, such as listing all repositories associated with a user or team, by executing a straightforward command with the bitbucket client. This enhancement has improved the overall experience of navigating and managing repositories.

One of my go-to commands for this is `$ bitbucket repo list`, which leverages the Bitbucket API to fetch repository data instantly. No more clicking through menus to find the information I need.

Creating new repositories directly from the CLI is another favorite feature of mine. It’s all about defining the repository name, description, and other parameters, then letting the CLI handle the API interaction. A typical example looks like this: `$ bitbucket repo create --name my-repo --description "My new repository"`. Easy, right?

And once your repository is set up, cloning it to your local system becomes a breeze. A single command like `$ git clone ` ensures you’re ready to jump into code changes without delay.

Managing Branches and Pull Requests

Branching and handling pull requests can sometimes feel like a maze, but the Bitbucket CLI simplifies the entire process. You can create branches using Git commands that work seamlessly with the CLI.

Here’s what I do: To create a new branch, I start with `$ git branch ` and follow it up with `$ git checkout ` to switch over. Then, a quick push to Bitbucket with `$ git push --set-upstream origin ` ensures everything is synced. It’s straightforward once you get the hang of it.

And if you’re like me and prefer automating repetitive tasks, the CLI’s pull request management feels like a godsend. Once I’ve made and committed my changes, I use a command to create pull requests effortlessly: `$ bitbucket pr create --title "Feature Branch" --description "Changes for new feature" --from --to `. No need to toggle between the browser and terminal for this.

Integrations with CI/CD Pipelines

When I started integrating the Bitbucket CLI with my Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, the results were nothing short of transformative. By coupling the CLI with tools like Bamboo or Jenkins, you can automate builds, tests, and deployments seamlessly.

For example, the `bamboo` client lets you manage plans, queue builds, and even administer Bamboo directly—ensuring that every code change I push triggers automated workflows. That’s just the start, though. For bulk operations, the CLI’s support for external data inputs like CSV files or databases really shines.

Whether it’s executing `runFromSql`, `runFromCsv`, or `runFromList`, these actions make handling complex CI/CD workflows surprisingly simple. Automating tasks in this way not only saves time but also minimizes human error when managing multiple stages of a pipeline.

Confluence CLI for Documentation

Page Creation and Management

Some tools are worth celebrating, and the Confluence Command Line Interface (CLI) is one of them. It's your secret weapon when it comes to organizing and automating documentation within Confluence. One of the standout features is its ability to handle page creation and management without a fuss.

Using the Confluence CLI, you can create new pages, update existing ones, or even clear out outdated pages in bulk. The `content add` command simplifies the process of adding new pages with your specified content, while the `content update` command makes updating existing pages feel seamless.

Beyond just updating and creating pages, the CLI makes navigating large spaces a breeze. Commands like `content list` allow you to view all pages within a space, helping you stay organized even in sprawling documentation projects. If you've ever felt bogged down by manual page management, this tool is your answer.

Automating Documentation Tasks

Here’s the game-changer: automation. The Confluence CLI turns repetitive documentation tasks into quick wins. Whether it's bulk edits, massive updates, or detailed find-and-replace operations, the CLI does the heavy lifting for you.

Thanks to actions like `run` and `runFrom`—including variations like `runFromList`, `runFromCSV`, and `runFromSQL—you can execute hundreds of actions with a single, well-constructed command. This makes even the most complex documentation automations manageable.

Another huge advantage is its advanced capabilities for importing and exporting data. This is gold for tasks like pre-migration clean-ups or auditing documentation. You can set imports or exports to run automatically, keeping your documentation current and ready to integrate with external tools or data sources like PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, or Oracle.

Collaborative Features

Collaboration can sometimes be chaotic, but the Confluence CLI has your back by making teamwork more efficient. Integration with other Atlassian tools, like Jira, expands its usefulness far beyond just documentation. The Jira CLI syncs actions across platforms, simplifying admin tasks and refining workflows to get the most out of both tools.

Even better, the Confluence CLI doesn't stop with Atlassian products. It integrates smoothly with other platforms, like monday.com Work Platform | Made For Work, Designed To Love , to scale admin tasks and build powerful automations that synchronize your systems. This ensures everyone on your team stays up-to-date, so collaboration on documentation becomes second nature.

For developers, the integration with VS Code, thanks to the ACLI Companion, is a treat. Running and managing commands from within the source code editor adds a layer of convenience—allowing documentation updates to naturally fit into development workflows.

Conclusion

When it comes to streamlining workflows across Atlassian products, the Atlassian Command Line Interface (CLI) tools are truly a game-changer. These tools have the ability to transform how you automate, integrate, and manage data across platforms like Jira, Confluence, and Bitbucket—all through straightforward, text-based commands.

The biggest takeaways for me were how these tools allow you to not only automate repetitive tasks but also connect seamlessly with other tools and databases. Advanced scripting features even let you perform bulk operations with ease, cutting down on manual effort and simplifying otherwise complex workflows.

If you’re ready to optimize your productivity, start exploring the Appfire CLI today, and see how automated and integrated data management can take your workflow to the next level. And you can contact onpointserv.com to start now.

FAQ

What are the primary benefits of using the Atlassian Command Line Interface (CLI) for automating tasks in Atlassian products?

One of the standout benefits of using the Atlassian Command Line Interface (CLI) is its ability to minimize errors with helpful features like impact notifications and bulk action previews. It’s an efficient way to automate those repetitive tasks, process large datasets, and integrate seamlessly with external systems. Add to that rapid command execution, streamlined workflows, and support for large-scale operations, and you’ve got a tool that boosts both performance and governance.

How does the Appfire Atlassian CLI differ from other CLI tools available for Atlassian products?

The Appfire Atlassian CLI sets itself apart by offering a consistent, reliable automation platform that works across multiple Atlassian products like Jira, Confluence, Bamboo, and Bitbucket. Unlike other CLI tools, it provides a user-friendly, high-level API that’s more powerful than the underlying product APIs. Features like standard interfaces, consistent error handling, and support for external data sources and bulk operations make it a step ahead.

What operating systems are supported by the Atlassian CLI tools, and what are the system requirements for their installation?

The Atlassian CLI tools are compatible with Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. To install them, the system needs to be running Java 8 or Java 11, though Java 11 is the preferred version.

Can the Atlassian CLI tools be used for both cloud and on-premise installations of Atlassian products, and are there any differences in their functionality?

Yes, the Atlassian CLI tools are built to work with both cloud and on-premise installations of Atlassian products. That said, there are some functional differences. Cloud environments receive dynamic updates, which can require more frequent client updates to stay compatible. On the other hand, on-premise installations give you control over the environment but may lack those automated updates and cloud-specific features.