Atlassian Tools
A step-by-step guide: Create Jira bug report templates your team can act on
Aug 13, 2025
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min read
To create a bug report template in Jira, define a consistent structure with fields like summary, steps to reproduce, environment, and severity — then configure issue types, custom fields, and automation to standardize it.
That’s the technical how-to. But let’s be honest. The real problem isn’t Jira. It’s the mess you’re putting into it.
You know the type: “Login not working.” No context, no details, nothing.
What happens next is that your developers become detectives. Testers redo work they already did. And a quarter of your next sprint planning turns into a guessing game.
Bad bug reports slow everything down. And if you’re scaling fast or juggling multiple teams and projects, the problem only gets more severe.
That’s why high-performing teams standardize their bug reporting with Jira bug templates. Because it saves time, making everyone more productive. And more profitable.
This guide walks you through how to build Jira bug report templates that are actually useful, for devs, QAs, and PMs alike. You’ll learn:
➔ What a Jira bug report template is (and what it definitely isn’t)
➔ Which elements make a bug report clear, complete, and fixable
➔ A real-world Jira bug report example you can adjust and use today
➔ How to build your own templates with Jira’s native tools
➔ And how to do it faster (and smarter) with Issue Templates Pro
What is a Jira bug template?
A bug Jira template is a reusable structure that prompts your team to include all the critical information up front. It helps eliminate vague, low-context, surface-level tickets, and turns bug reporting into something your devs don’t actively dread.
Instead of starting from zero every time, a bug template ensures consistency across fields like:
➔ Summary (what’s broken, and where)
➔ Steps to Reproduce
➔ Expected vs Actual Behavior
➔ Environment (browser, OS, device)
➔ Severity/Priority
➔ Attachments (screenshots, logs — or ideally, both)
QAs love these templates, sure. But not just QAs. Developers get the context they need without pinging three different people. PMs don’t need to mediate every misunderstanding. And support teams can finally file a bug without submitting a thesis.
Why structured Jira bug reports matter to agile teams
Agile thrives on tight feedback loops. But one messy bug report can throw the whole thing off:
➔ Testers log issues developers can’t reproduce
➔ Developers chase down missing details mid-sprint
➔ Issues bounce around Jira like hot potatoes
➔ Backlogs fill with vague descriptions and questionable priorities
A well-crafted Jira ticket template won’t eliminate bugs, of course. But it will eliminate the chaos that usually surrounds them.
It gives your team a shared definition of “complete”. No more guessing what “critical” means. No more tickets that drag on for days and days.
Squash Bugs Before They Spread
Kick off every bug fix with a crystal-clear template. Issue Templates Pro makes sure your team gets all the details they need to crush bugs - fast.
Real-world Jira bug report example
Here’s a useful, frustration-saving Jira ticket template example, when using a bug report template in Jira:
Now compare the above to:
➔ “Submit button doesn’t work”
One gives you a clear path to fix . The other just gives you a headache.
Why use a standardized Jira bug report template?
Let’s break it down. Without a bug template:
➔ Reports are inconsistent
➔ Triaging becomes guesswork
➔ Context is incomplete or buried in comments
➔ Time is wasted following up on basic questions
With a Jira bug tracking template, you get:
➔ Fewer ping-pong handoffs
➔ A shared understanding between QA, devs, and product
➔ Reports that are structured, complete, and quick to triage
➔ More accurate reporting on bug frequency, severity, and time to resolve
Also, fewer “Can you clarify?” Slack threads. Which might be the real win, right?
How to create a Jira bug template: Step-by-step
You can build a Jira bug ticket template using built-in features. Here’s how:
Step 1: Create a custom issue type
➔ Go to Jira Settings → Issues → Issue Types
➔ Create a new issue type (e.g., “Bug Report”)
➔ Assign it to the relevant screen schemes
Step 2: Define required fields
➔ Add must-haves like Summary, Environment, Steps to Reproduce, Severity
➔ Use field configuration to guide what good looks like
Step 3: Add custom fields
➔ Include dropdowns for OS/browser/platform
➔ Add checkboxes for things like “Regression?” or “Customer-reported?”
Step 4: Automate assignment and notifications
➔ Use Jira automation rules
➔ Example: Auto-assign “Critical” bugs to the senior dev on-call
➔ Send Slack or email alerts for anything tagged “production”
Step 5: Save and reuse your template
➔ Create an internal sample issue with your structure
➔ Use “Clone” or automation to reuse it when creating new bugs
This setup works well for smaller teams. But if you’re managing multiple teams or need cross-project consistency, you’ll likely outgrow it fast.
How to use Issue Templates Pro for Jira to simplify bug reporting
Narva’s Issue Templates Pro for Jira removes the grunt work and lets your team create structured, high-quality bug reports in seconds.
Used by teams at Deloitte, Lucid, and Paramount, the easy-to-use tool helps you:
➔ Build reusable templates with pre-filled fields
➔ Use dynamic variables to auto-insert context
➔ Add QA checklists and default values for fields like priority
➔ Trigger templates automatically based on issue type or workflow step
➔ Apply templates across multiple Jira projects with no duplication
Here’s how to build a Jira bug report template with Issue Templates Pro: Step 1: Install the toolFind it on the Atlassian Marketplace or install it via your Jira admin console. Step 2: Create a new templateSelect the “Bug” issue type and define the structure: summary, steps to reproduce, expected vs actual, severity, attachments, and so on. Step 3: Add variables and placeholdersAuto-fill fields like {{reporter.displayName}}, {{now}}, or {{project.name}} to reduce manual input. Step 4: Add checklists and defaultsAdd reproducibility steps, logs, checklists, or regression QA steps. Pre-fill default priorities if needed. Step 5: Set automation rulesAutomatically apply the bug template when an issue is labeled “bug” or enters a specific workflow state. Step 6: Share across projectsApply your template to multiple Jira projects, without cloning or workaround. And yes, there’s a 30-day free trial, so you can try it out without bugging procurement first. |
Jira bug report templates are the first step toward smoother sprints
Templates won’t squash your bugs for you. But they will stop them from becoming process sinkholes.
A well-built Jira bug template saves time, reduces confusion, and keeps your team focused on fixing things, not chasing details. It helps teams align on what matters, cut down on rework, and move faster with fewer surprises.
Want to see what happens when a bug report actually helps instead of frustrates?
Start your free trial of Issue Templates Pro and try it on your next ticket.
Nar is the founder of Narva Software and a former software developer with real-world experience using Atlassian tools. After facing the limitations of Jira and Confluence himself, he set out to build simple, effective apps that make teamwork easier. Today, his focus is on creating practical solutions that help teams work faster and smarter — and are trusted by companies around the world.
