Dependency Guard for Jira — Documentation

How to set up and use the app

Jira lets you link issues as "is blocked by", but doesn't act on it. Dependency Guard makes those links work: it blocks completion while a blocker is open, notifies waiting issues when a blocker is resolved, shows blockers at a glance, and offers an auditable override.

1. Installation

Open Jira → Settings → Apps → Find new apps (or visit the Atlassian Marketplace).
Search for Dependency Guard and click Get app / Try it free.
The app installs site-wide and works in all your projects immediately.

2. The issue panel

Open any issue. The Dependency Guard panel lists every issue this one is "blocked by", each with a clear status:

open — the blocker is not yet done
done — the blocker is completed

A banner shows whether completion is currently blocked or allowed.

3. Blocking completion

An issue should not be marked Done while a blocker is still open. The app enforces this in two ways:

Mode	How it works	Where
Auto-Guard	If an issue is moved to a "Done" status while a blocker is open, the app automatically reverts it and posts an explanatory comment. No configuration required.	Any project (team- or company-managed)
Workflow validator	A clean, pre-transition block. An admin adds the validator once to the "Done" transition.	Company-managed projects

Adding the workflow validator (optional, company-managed)

Go to Project settings → Workflows and edit the workflow.
Select the transition into Done.
Open Validators → Add validator and choose "Dependency Guard – complete only when blockers are done".
Save and publish the workflow.

4. Notifications

When a blocker is completed, each waiting issue receives a comment so its assignee and watchers are informed and can move forward. Enable/disable per project in settings.

5. Override ("Allow completion anyway")

Need to complete an issue despite an open blocker? In the panel, click Allow completion anyway. This grants a one-time, time-limited (15-minute) override and posts an audit comment recording who approved it. The next completion is then allowed.

6. Project settings

Project settings → Dependency Guard:

Auto-Guard — on/off
Notifications — on/off
Blocker link type — defaults to Jira's "Blocks"; change only if your Jira uses a different link name

7. Languages

The interface is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Dutch and Japanese, and follows each user's Jira language automatically (English fallback).

8. Privacy & security

Dependency Guard runs entirely on Atlassian's infrastructure (Runs on Atlassian). It sends no data to third parties and uses no external services. See the Privacy Policy for details.

9. Support

Questions or issues? Contact info@keul.tech.