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Migrate Checklists from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud

Migrate Checklists from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud

 

Moving to Jira Cloud? We’ve got you covered! Smart Checklist supports migration from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud using the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA)⭐️

Overview

Smart Checklist supports migration from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud using the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA).

The Smart Checklist Cloud app is hosted on Atlassian infrastructure and complies with enterprise-grade security standards, including Data Residency and SOC 2 certification.

💡HINT: Review Atlassian’s documentation for a complete overview of Jira Data Center → Cloud migration:

Migration process

Preconditions

  1. Update the Smart Checklist app in Data Center ✅
    Ensure you’re using the latest Forge-compatible app version (currently 7.9.2 or later).

  2. Install Smart Checklist in Cloud ✅
    Install the latest Smart Checklist (Forge) app from the Atlassian Marketplace in your Cloud environment.

💡NOTE: If you are migrating to a Cloud instance where Smart Checklist has never been used (no existing checklist data), we recommend removing two of the three custom fields created during the app installation:

  • Checklists

  • Smart Checklist Progress

This step simplifies post-migration cleanup and prevents Jira from creating duplicate fields during the project data migration process.

  1. Review the Migrated Data section

Migration steps

  1. Run the migration with JCMA
    Start with selected projects to test the migration and verify results before performing a full-scale migration.

  2. Verify migrated data

    After the JCMA migration finishes, verify that the data is present in the UI.

    • Open a migrated issue where a checklist is expected.

    • Click on App actions (under the issue summary) → select Smart Checklist.

💡NOTE: If the checklist is visible here, the migration was likely successful. If you wish to adjust where the checklist appears on the screen, see our article on how to control checklist position and visibility.

  1. Run data synchronization in Cloud:
    After the migration is complete, run data synchronization in Manage apps → Smart Checklist → Global settings → Synchronize data.
    This step ensures proper app functionality by synchronizing data across Forge storage, custom fields, and issue properties.

  2. Done! Migration completed ✅

Migrated data

The migration transfers all core Smart Checklist data, including checklists in issues, checklist templates, and checklist statuses.
Other configuration data and app settings are not included in the migration and must be reconfigured manually on Cloud instance.

The table below outlines what data is migrated and which actions may be required after migration.

Data type

Migrated to Cloud

Notes / Action Required

Data type

Migrated to Cloud

Notes / Action Required

Checklist items

✅ Yes

Checklist content and basic formatting (headers, text styles, dates, assignees, links, and lists) are migrated.

Note: Items from linked templates will not migrate unless you convert such templates to non-linked (selecting "keep items in issue") before migration.

Templates

✅ Yes

Global and Project templates are migrated.
Templates shared across multiple projects are split into separate Project Templates.
Disabled templates are also migrated.

Statuses

⚠️ Partial

✅ Global default and custom statuses are migrated.
⚠️ Project-specific statuses are not yet supported.
(If configured, they are imported as To Do or Done depending on status checkbox settings)

Action: You can temporarily convert project-level statuses to Global before migration and revert them afterward.

Checklist history

❌ No

History is not migrated.

Default template conditions

⚠️ Partial

✅ Default issue types conditions are migrated.
⚠️ Default issue transition and issue update conditions are not migrated.

Action: Review and reconfigure extended conditions (issue field values, issue transition) in Cloud.

Linked templates

⚠️ Partial

⚠️ Templates are migrated, but issue links and checklists within issues are not preserved.

Action: To retain checklist data in issues, convert linked templates to non-linked and keep the items in the issues.

Checklist tabs

❌ No

Tabs are not migrated.

Action: Delete tabs before migration and move existing checklist items to the default tab to keep the checklist data.

Template categories

❌ No

Categories are not migrated.
Action: Recreate manually in Cloud.

Automations & workflow validators

❌ No

Action: Reconfigure manually in Cloud.

Other app configurations

❌ No

Project-level settings (on/off per project), permissions, and notifications are not migrated.
Action: Reconfigure manually in Cloud.

Common Issues & Migration Tips

JCMA may create duplicates of “Checklists” and “Smart Checklist Progress” custom fields, marked with “(migrated)”.

Once the migration and Synchronization are complete, you can safely remove any unused duplicates.

If the migration fails or some data appears incomplete, collect the logs and contact Smart Checklist Support for assistance.

Smart Checklist Migration Logs

  • Download directly: [instanceURL]/plugins/servlet/railsware/migrationlog

  • Or access via the Global Settings tab after the storage migration completes

JCMA CSV Export

  • JCMA also allows you to download CSV logs for the app migration step.

 

Smart Checklist Data Center vs Cloud comparison

Smart Checklist for Data Center and Cloud offer a largely equivalent feature set. You can explore more details using the links below.

🔗 USEFUL LINKS:

 

Cloud security and compliance standards

Smart Checklist Cloud meets the highest enterprize-grade security and compliance standards:

  • 🔒 Runs on Atlassian

    • Hosted on Atlassian

    • All data stored within Atlassian infrastructure

  • 🌍 Data Residency compliant

  • ✅ SOC II type certified

 

Migration from Other Checklist Apps

Want to migrate to Smart Checklist Cloud? Reach out to us for discount!

We also support migrating data from other checklist apps to Smart Checklist Cloud, including Checklists for Jira, Elements Checklist, and My Todo Checklist.

To migrate data from these apps:

  1. Migrate your data to Smart Checklist Data Center. Learn more here → Migrate checklists from Checklist for Jira, My ToDo, Elements Checklist

  2. Proceed with the migration to Smart Checklist Cloud.

💡HINT: Compare Cloud checklist apps’ features and security standards in this table → Marketplace Comparison

 

Support during migration

Our support team is here to assist you throughout the whole migration process – from sandbox testing to production migration!

⭐️ Help us improve the Cloud migration experience! Share feedback with our team.