GitLab for Jira app self-managed rollout UX
I lined out the steps to roll out the Jira Cloud App proxy for Self-managed GitLab users feature and found that users might not be aware of the additional setup needed and end up with a broken app.
Step 1: enable jira_connect_oauth on GitLab.com
The setup will be done on GitLab.com. Users will then be asked to sign-in via OAuth when accessing the configuration page, but no additional setup is needed.
Step 2: enable jira_connect_oauth for self-managed
Using the app for self-managed is already possible with a workaround. For instances using the workaround, Data sync with Jira will continue to work, but this is what users will see when entering the configuration page:
I think we should place a message there if the client_id is not defined. Maybe like this:
GitLab for Jira has switched to OAuth authorization from version 15.x on. Please follow the steps to set up OAuth: documentation_link. You need to have an admin account
Step 3: enable jira_connect_oauth_self_managed
This will introduce official support for self-managed. Users setting up self-managed will see this screen:
But the Sign in button wouldn't work unless OAuth is set up on the instance. We should place a message there too and point users to the documentation. In a later iteration, we can detect if the client_id is set on the instance and only show the message if the setup isn't completed.
Iteration Plan
- We'll deliver the first iteration of the GitLab for Jira App Self-Managed Proxy, which will include documentation or a video to guide users through the process.
- We'll isolate users of of the Self-managed workaround for the time being and will not deliver the OAuth update to this set of customers. There will be no impact to them.
- During this iteration, any users with browsers disallowing cross-site cookies would experience issues logging in to the GitLab for Jira App from Jira.
- But if someone wants to switch to OAuth, they can enable the feature on their instance using this guide.
- Next we'll iterate to help migrate users of the workaround to the official GitLab for Jira App.
- We'll then improve the workflow to reduce complexities and provide smoother UX.
