1. Before you file a bug, check that it's not already filed
Before you fill in a bug report, search through existing bugs to see if any match what you're about to report. If you've encountered it, it's quite possible someone else has, too.
If you do find a bug that seems to match yours, add a comment to the JIRA describing any additional information you can: different context or environment, new information, suspicions as to the cause...
2. Consider your audiences when writing the one-line summary
JIRAs will be read by a variety of people:
The one-line summary should describe the issue from a behavioural perspective: "The grommet doesn't come off when the flange is twisted," "Activating the floople causes everything to freeze," etc. The reader should be able to know from this summary whether or not what they are experiencing is already something we know about and will fix.
3. Provide details
The Description section of the JIRA should include the following:
The description is also a place to include more technical information that might be helpful to whoever tries to fix the bug:
4. Fill in the other fields
Remember to fill in fields like the Component and the Environment.
The "Affects Version" should be the version in which you observed the problem. If you observed it in trunk, then
1. If you explain a JIRA to someone (or ask someone for an explanation), update the JIRA
If you had to ask the person who filed a JIRA for more information, then use that information to update the JIRA: refine the summary, add details, add instructions for reproducing, etc.
2. If you discuss the JIRA in the channel or on the list, add a link
Our Matrix Channel is logged with messages that be linked to, and the mailing lists are archived. If you use either of these venues for a discussion about a JIRA, comment on the JIRA summarizing any conclusions of the conversation and include a link to the conversation.
3. If you're reviewing JIRAs, make any necessary changes
If you encounter JIRAs that are missing a component, or if a priority seems wrong, or the Affects version needs updating, please feel free to fix them.