---
ref: tool:atlassian/search-jira-work-items
name: Search Jira work items with JQL
company: company:atlassian
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli, api]
tags: [capability:manage-tasks, category:project-management, has:api, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/jira/platform/rest/v3/api-group-issue-search/#api-rest-api-3-search-jql-get
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Search Jira work items with JQL

Returns the Jira work items that match a JQL query, with the fields you ask for, one page at a time.

Pass the query as `jql`, such as `project = TEAM`, and page with
`nextPageToken`. For a query too long for a URL, use
`POST /rest/api/3/search/jql`; the older `/rest/api/3/search` is deprecated and
being removed. The CLI takes `--jql` and can print `--json` or `--csv`.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "atlassian": { "url": "https://mcp.atlassian.com/v2/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `searchJiraIssuesUsingJql`.

Server URL: https://mcp.atlassian.com/v2/mcp

### CLI (official)

Install the command, then confirm it runs.

```sh
brew tap atlassian/homebrew-acli && brew install acli
acli --version
```

Run `acli jira workitem search`.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://{your-domain}.atlassian.net
- Endpoint: `GET /rest/api/3/search/jql`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Basic $ATLASSIAN_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://id.atlassian.com/manage-profile/security/api-tokens
- Docs: https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/jira/platform/rest/v3/intro/

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.