One of the small improvements that makes our lives better and works for many of our customers is the last comment display feature.

The functionality itself is very simple and allows you to access the last comment from the dashboard, board, or ticket search engine. It gives you the possibility to easily check whether the user we have been waiting for has already replied to us or simply to quickly remember what is happening in the ticket without tediously checking each task. The functionality is created with a simple script using script fields from the ScriptRunner – one of the most used Jira apps.

View from the dashboard level (the most common use of the functionality):

Additionally, the script field can be added to boards. It can be included for both the preview of tiles and for the backlog. However, it is advisable to use a simplified version of the script in this case. This means excluding text editors inside the script, such as bold or enter functions. The hover preview does not support these features and they may disrupt the readability of the message.

As mentioned at the beginning, the field can also be added to the ticket search engine:

Or it can be displayed on the task preview. This is especially useful in the case of complex tasks with numerous comments. It allows us to quickly check what is happening.

Usually, the functionality is used to display only the last comment. However, it is not the only way to use it. Depending on the needs, some variations of this function are performed. For example, the last 3 comments can be displayed. Additional data can also be included, such as time and user. Many more options are available as well.