The most-used recipe
GitLab
Developer Tools
DeskFerry agent
Create item when new commit pushed
Runs on its own
Jira
Productivity
Popular workflows
What you can automate between GitLab and Jira
These are the most popular automations teams set up between GitLab and Jira. Each one runs automatically once activated — no manual steps.
Create item when new commit pushed
Add a new task, page, or item automatically when code is committed to the repository.
Create issue when new item created
Open a new issue or bug report automatically when a new task, page, or item is created.
Sync GitLab changes to Jira
Keep Jira updated when a new pr is opened.
How data flows
What syncs between GitLab and Jira
When an event occurs in GitLab, the relevant data is automatically sent to Jira. DeskFerry maps the fields between both apps so the data arrives in the right format — no manual formatting or exports required.
Data from GitLab
- Issues / PRs
- Commits
- Project items
- Labels / tags
- Assignees
Data from Jira
- Tasks
- Pages / documents
- Database items
- Status updates
- Assignees
Step-by-step guide
How to connect GitLab to Jira
Follow these steps to set up your integration. The entire process takes under 5 minutes.
What you'll need
- An active GitLab account with repository access
- An active Jira account
- A free DeskFerry account (sign up takes 30 seconds)
- Step 01
Create your DeskFerry account
Sign up at deskferry.app — it takes 30 seconds and starts a 7-day free trial. You'll land on the dashboard where you can create your first workflow.
- Step 02
Authenticate GitLab
Click "Add Connection" and select GitLab from the app directory. You'll be redirected to GitLab's authorization page. Grant DeskFerry access to your repositories, issues, and project data. You control which repos and projects the integration can access.
- Step 03
Authenticate Jira
Same process for Jira. Click "Add Connection," select Jira, and authorize access. Grant DeskFerry access to your workspaces, databases, pages, and tasks. You select which workspaces the integration can read and write to.
- Step 04
Choose your trigger
Select what event starts the workflow. For this integration, popular triggers include: new commit pushed in gitlab or new item created in jira. The trigger fires automatically whenever that event happens — no manual intervention.
- Step 05
Configure the action
Define what happens when the trigger fires. For example: create item in jira. Map the data fields between GitLab and Jira so the right information lands in the right place.
- Step 06
Test and activate
Run a test to confirm data flows correctly between GitLab and Jira. Check that the fields map as expected, then toggle the workflow on. It runs 24/7 from here — DeskFerry handles retries, error logging, and monitoring automatically.
Benefits
Why connect GitLab and Jira?
Engineering work doesn't exist in isolation. When GitLab issues and PRs sync to Jira, product managers and stakeholders get visibility without asking for status updates.
Tips
Tips for your GitLab + Jira integration
Get more out of this integration with these best practices.
Use cases
Who uses the GitLab + Jira integration?
Teams across industries connect GitLab and Jira to streamline their workflows.
Engineering leads managing sprints who rely on Jira for productivity
Project management offices who need real-time data from GitLab
Engineering teams and project management offices collaborating across tools
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect GitLab to Jira?
Sign up for a free DeskFerry account, then click "Add Connection" to authenticate both GitLab and Jira via OAuth. Choose a workflow template — like syncing developer tools events to productivity actions — customize the field mapping, and activate. The entire setup takes under 5 minutes.
What can I automate between GitLab and Jira?
Popular automations include: create Jira tasks from GitLab issues, sync GitLab PR statuses to Jira items, close Jira tasks when GitLab issues resolve, and update Jira sprint boards from GitLab milestones. Labels and priority fields map automatically.
Is the GitLab and Jira integration free?
DeskFerry's 7-day free trial is enough to prove the workflow out. If your GitLab-to-Jira workflows need more volume, paid plans start at $49/month with unlimited workflows and priority execution.
Is my GitLab data secure when connected to Jira?
Yes. DeskFerry uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication — we never store your GitLab or Jira passwords. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256). Your developer tools data is only accessed when a workflow runs, and you can revoke access at any time from your DeskFerry dashboard.
Can I sync data both ways between GitLab and Jira?
Yes. You can set up workflows that trigger from either GitLab or Jira. For example, create a workflow where GitLab events update Jira, and a separate one where Jira changes sync back to GitLab. Each direction is configured independently so you have full control.
Do I need technical skills to connect GitLab and Jira?
No coding is required. DeskFerry's builder is prompt-based: you describe the trigger and what should happen in plain English, and the agent handles the field mapping. If you can use GitLab and Jira, you can set up the integration. Most users are running their first workflow within 10 minutes.
Related connections
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Automate GitLab + Jira
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