7 Apps for SDLC

If you manage your software development lifecycle (SDLC) in Jira, you’re already leveraging a powerful platform—but it can sometimes fall short on specific features or customization. That’s where Marketplace Apps come in, providing targeted enhancements and essential functionality to tailor your SDLC to your team’s unique needs.

Below is my carefully curated, tried-and-tested list of apps that specifically address the most common gaps in setting up and managing an SDLC within Atlassian. Each app has been selected for its reliability, effectiveness, and ability to streamline your development processes.

Xray test management for Jira ( Marketplace link)

To effectively manage tests at scale in Jira, a dedicated test management extension is essential. Years ago, I chose Xray and have remained loyal ever since, both as a user and advocate. At RadBee, it is our test management suite of choice, and we also use its API for developing our Snapshots traceability extensions app.
Here are what I love about Xray:

1. It has a complete data model for scaled testing: from test, test executions, test runs, to test plan, precondition, test set, data set, and more.

2. They understand what regulated teams need: a robust data model, room for all test run nuances, and a focus on coverage.

3. They are closely integrated with Jira. It’s truly a Jira tool.

4. Their support is excellent.

5. Xray's API is comprehensive.

6. Available on both DC and Cloud.

7. They regularly add features. I love their JQL extensions to Cloud and their AI tests.

Here are things I wish were better:

1. The tool is cluttered, and its UX can be confusing. I haven’t used test repositories yet, but Xray keeps directing me there.

2. It isn’t obvious for new users, which is a major hurdle when onboarding. A better starter experience would help.

3. What’s happening with Cloud backup and restore? If you think test data should be easy to back up and restore, please vote for this highly desired feature here: XRAYCLOUD-3443

Jira Misc Workflow Extensions ( Marketplace link)

Jira provides a robust set of rule types for transitions. You can require, for instance, that the ‘Acceptance Criteria’ field be complete before allowing a transition to ‘In Progress’.
While these capabilities address many needs, they often fall short for enterprise-level SDLC configurations. Consider these common scenarios:

1. The Story can move to 'In Development' only if it's linked to a 'Requirement’

2. When the Story moves to 'In Development', update the Requirement that is linked to it.

3. The Story can move to ‘Done’ only if it has tests that test it.

Having more sophisticated workflows helps:

1. Enforce standard ways of working

2. Simplify onboarding by reducing what people must remember; the platform guides them toward the right path.

3. Avoid manual work and save time.

When seeking solutions for complex workflow requirements, it's worth noting that JMWE is not the only marketplace app available. However, JMWE stands out as comprehensive, easy to use, and hugely popular. It has become my go-to solution.

eSign Electronic Signatures for Jira ( Marketplace link)

Not every SDLC setup needs electronic approvals in Jira. If yours does, this app is for you.

eSign meets CFR 21 part 11 requirements. The app offers a lot:

1. The setup is very straightforward.

2. It integrates seamlessly with Jira, including workflow conditions and post-functions, enabling sophisticated workflows that consider e-signature status. You can also search Jira using eSign data.

3. Furthermore, all signature data is stored within Jira.

4. The app is regularly improved, and the vendor is responsive.

The two downsides I found are: First, configuring advanced business logic between different signatures and workflows can become complex quickly. For example, if your performance requirements necessitate one set of eSignatures and your data privacy requirements necessitate another, setting this up requires careful planning, although it is possible. The second downside is that your eSign credentials are not the same as your Jira login credentials. This issue is common across all eSign apps for Jira and Confluence. If anyone solves this, their eSign app will likely become very popular.

Revyz Data Manager for Jira ( Marketplace link)

As of August 2025, Atlassian is deploying a Beta backup solution to several Enterprise customers.

Other Cloud customers can back up Jira data and restore complete backups to either the original or a separate site. The Revyz solution offers superior automation, more frequent backups, and, critically, enables granular data recovery.

I like that:

1. The app effectively backs up and restores data, captures substantial configuration elements, and enables configuration and data transfers between sites. Revyz handles configuration transfers more efficiently than Atlassian.

2. It’s in constant development, and the support is excellent.

I wish they would also integrate with apps to capture application data.

Enhance Search for Jira ( Marketplace link)

The search language in Jira, JQL, is very powerful and really provides excellent tools to find the work item needles in the Jira haystack.
Nonetheless, because SDLC in Jira is basically about managing a whole spider web of connections, in some scenarios, this app feels like a lifeline. Here is a typical use case:

Need to find all requirements that are not implemented by stories? Project managers often want to find the “childless requirements” so they can close these gaps. Use this function “ linkedIssuesOf(Subquery, [link name])”.

The app has certain limitations. It uses asynchronous caching to deliver results, which can cause data to become outdated. I anticipate this issue will be resolved as Adaptavist migrates the app from Connect to Forge.

Structure ( Marketplace link)

Structure is the most effective way to review Jira data at scale, highlighting relationships between issue groups. It is essential for project and product managers to gain a clear understanding of their progress. For example, it enables swift identification of stories not linked to requirements or requirements not validated by tests.

Structure is no longer a must-have but remains highly valued for two reasons. First, many teams use snapshots for situational awareness—they configure and regularly update release documentation throughout the cycle, exposing any gaps. Second, Structure’s robust integration with Xray in Data Center is not yet available for Cloud. As a result, you can display Tests in Structure but cannot showcase Test Runs and defects.

Better PDF Exporter ( Marketplace link)

This application is beneficial for managing Jira work items regarded as electronic records. under CFR 21 Part 11. Section 11.10(b) specifies the requirement to export those work items as follows::

The ability to generate accurate and complete copies of records in both human readable and electronic form suitable for inspection, review, and copying by the agency.

Better PDF Exporter, as its name suggests, can export such complete records from Jira. You can include the audit trail, subtasks, attachments, and anything else you'd like to export. It also gives you full control over the scope of export and the layout.

Tip: If you do not need to export records today but expect to in the future, do not rush to install it. You can install it closer to the time you need it. There is no need to have the app installed far in advance.

Snapshots for Jira Data into Confluence ( Marketplace link) and Snapshots integration with Xray ( Marketplace link)

Snapshots is the engine to create release documentation in Confluence. It create reports for Jira work items. Including hierarchical reports, such as traceability reports.

The extension app, Snapshots integration with Xray, provides deep integration with Xray. It allows you to bring test run information into your release documentation in Confluence.

Release reports with Snapshots do not require any scripting. The report layout depends on the author of the Confluence page. There is no dependency on the admin to configure the report. Often, we see that Snapshots is also a tool for ongoing project reporting. It helps project managers gauge the level of readiness of the release and identify where Jira data is lacking. For example, where requirements for the version exist but are not linked to stories or tests.

Snapshot is available for both DC and Cloud, and the feature set is very similar. On DC, the X-ray integration is part of the main app, so you should install only a single app.

The Snapshots apps are the only ones in this list created by RadBee.

eSign document management ( Marketplace link)

Do you want to approve your release documentation in Confluence? eSign Document Management offers key features that turn Confluence into a Document Management System, compatible with FDA CFR 21 part 11 requirements:

1. It enables the creation of official versions of Confluence pages, manages the transition of old pages to an obsolete status, and supports drafts for updated versions.

2. It allows users to electronically sign Confluence pages

3. It displays control information on each Confluence page, including a detailed version history and digital signatures.

I like that this app is easy to configure, creates no data liability since all data remains in Confluence, and its data is included in Confluence backups. The support is also great.

Scroll PDF exporter ( Marketplace link)

When managing release documents in Confluence, it is essential to have a reliable way to export them. Scroll PDF exporter fulfills this key need, making it a crucial part of any SDLC configuration. Over my Atlassian career, I have relied on Scroll for most site configurations because it is a mature product with strong support from a reputable team.

The Scroll PDF exporter provides control over export layouts and seamless integration with other Confluence apps. For instance, you can include document control metadata, such as document ID and official version, directly in your page layout from eSign Document Management.
Additionally, Scroll enables granular export control per page. For example, it lets you smoothly transition between portrait and landscape formats as needed.

Scroll documents ( Marketplace link)

This is an advanced app for teams progressing and maturing in their SDLC practices. A common scenario is when release documents need to be packaged into submission dossiers. To manage those multiple submission dossiers inside Confluence, use Scroll Documents.
Scroll Documents integrates well with Snapshots. helping product teams manage multiple versions of their specification documents. This ensures that the documentation is preserved exactly as it was upon submission. Jira Snapshots helps generate specifications documentation from Jira, while Scroll Documents makes it possible to compile these pages into a single, neat submission.