Create a Timer field

• What is a Timer field?
• Step 1: Create the Jira custom field
• Step 2: Create a field setting
• Step 3: Bind the field context to the setting
• Step 4: Backfill existing issues
• Next steps

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What is a Timer field?

A Timer field is a countdown timer with a goal (deadline). It starts, pauses, stops, and restarts based on events you define. When the elapsed time exceeds the goal, the timer is marked as Failed.

Timers are ideal for SLA tracking, response time commitments, and any scenario where you need to measure whether work was completed within a time limit.

States: Inactive → Running → Paused → Completed / Failed

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Step 1: Create the Jira custom field

1. Go to Jira Settings > Issues > Custom fields
2. Click Create custom field
3. Select Timer from the field type list (under “Time in Status” app)
4. Enter a name for your field (e.g., “SLA Timer”, “Response SLA”)
5. Choose the field context
6. Click Create

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Step 2: Create a field setting

1. Open the admin panel > Timer tab > Field Settings
2. Click Create
3. Configure the setting (see Timer field settings reference for all options):
   • Name - a descriptive name
   • Start Events - what starts the timer
   • Stop Events - what stops it (marks as Completed if within goal)
   • Goals - the target time (see Timer goal configuration)
   • Calendar - the work calendar
   • Display Mode - what to show (time spent, time left, goal, failed date, etc.)
4. Click Save

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Step 3: Bind the field context to the setting

1. Go to Jira Settings > Issues > Custom fields
2. Find your Timer field > click … > Contexts and default value
3. Click on the context name
4. Select the field setting from Step 2
5. Click Save

See Field context configuration for details.

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Step 4: Backfill existing issues

1. Go to the admin panel > Recalculation tab
2. Find your Timer field and context
3. Click Recalculate > select Full mode
4. Monitor the batch job progress

See Recalculation for details.

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Next steps

• Timer field settings reference - all configuration options
• Timer goal configuration - set up default and conditional goals
• Event triggers reference - complete list of available triggers
• Timer JQL search - search and sort by timer values
• Timer issue panel - display timer on issue views

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Related Docs

• Activity panel
• Admin panel overview
• Calendar Select field
• Custom Events
• Event triggers reference