Linking a cloned issue to the original via automation
Asked by Neil Womack:

Hello, I am trying to configure a rule that automatically clones a ticket to another project, assigns the clone to the same user as the original and then links the cloned ticket back to the original. I have it working except for the last step, as it never links back to the original. Here is my automation:

![automation.jpg](/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/331933iFFBE8C8993717D60/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "automation.jpg")

From researching the other posts in this forum I have verified that the rule is scoped for multiple projects and includes both the source and destination projects in the scope.

I have also confirmed that the Link issues outlined in the last step of the automation exist in the source project (below):  

![automation2.jpg](/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/331940i37AA6872F9B8AB54/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "automation2.jpg")

The issue is automatically cloned with the proper assignee, but still does not link back to the original issue. Is there something else I'm missing?


Answers:
author: Clara Belin-Brosseau
body: Hello [@Neil Womack](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5530099)

If you're seeking for an easy way to **clone an issue to another project and link them together while keeping the same assignee** , you can try our app [Elements Copy \& Sync](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1211111/elements-copy-sync-clone-jira-issues?tab=overview&hosting=cloud?&utm_source=community&utm_medium=answer&utm_campaign=question_2737352&utm_keyword=CS&utm_vendorID=4952) that allows you to clone and sync a full hierarchy of issues with all their content (summary, description, custom fields, comments, attachments, etc).

You can check our guide [here](https://doc.elements-apps.com/copy-and-sync-jira-cloud/copy-all-issues-from-one-project-to-another?&utm_source=community&utm_medium=answer&utm_campaign=question_2737352&utm_keyword=CS&utm_vendorID=4952).

![Elements Copy & Sync - Copy issue from one project to another.png](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/343217iA97290693C374E61/image-dimensions/290x214?v=v2 "Elements Copy & Sync - Copy issue from one project to another.png")

The app is for **free during 30 days** (and it stays free under 10 users).


author: Bill Sheboy
body: Hi [@Neil Womack](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5530099) -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

After you clone the issue, add a branch to Most Recently Created Issue before the Link Issue action. That will change the context to the new issue, rather than the trigger one.

* trigger: issue created
* **action: re-fetch issue** (I recommend always adding this action after the Issue Created trigger to prevent timing problems where some data may not be ready when the rule starts.)
* condition: assignee is ... (your check on the trigger issue assignees)
* action: clone issue
* **branch: to most recently created issue**
  * action: link issue

Kind regards,  
Bill

comments: author: Neil Womack
body: Thank you very much Bill, that solved the problem! For anyone else who may benefit, here is the final automation:  

![automation3.jpg](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/332261i07594C09D7D68D9F/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "automation3.jpg")


author: Shivani Saran
body: Hi [@Bill Sheboy](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/1685313) I implemented this automation in same way, but this is not working for in my case

issue is getting cloned, but it is not getting linked with original issue


author: Bill Sheboy
body: Hi [@Shivani Saran](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5597298) -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

Please post images of your complete automation rule, the action where the linking occurs, and of the audit log details showing the rule execution. Those will provide context for the community to offer suggestions. Thanks!

Until we see those...

Are the issues all in the same Jira project or different projects?

Kind regards,  
Bill


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