How to modify the JIRA issue comments tab?

[Patrik Karisch]

I know it's possible to add custom tabs to the JIRA issue view trough the Issue Tab Panel Plugin Module.

But is there a way to modify the existing comments tab trough a plugin or have I dive into the JIRA source code?

Or is there a way to disable the actual comment tab in the config and replace it with own tab showing comments and additional stuff?

[ConradR · Accepted solution]

Since the issue comment tab is implemented as a jira plugin, you won't be able to overwrite it directly with your own plugin. In my eyes the best maintainable way to replace the comment tab is to disable the existing comment tab in the Plugin Manager (Issue Tab Panels Plugin / Comment Tab Panel) and add your own comment tab based on the code of the original.

Alternatively you could work in the Issue Tab Panel Plugin directly.

[Patrik Karisch]

I see, commenting is possible, also when the Comment Tab Panel is disabled. Nice and expected beahviour. Indeed it's a system plugin, but administrator who doesn't want two comments tab, can disable it. A little bit dirty, but working.

Togheter with the comments from @Andy Brook in the other answer, i found the right way. Write own plugin -> disable system module. Thx

[Timothy]

You will have to dive into the existing code to modify that tab.

[Patrik Karisch]

Or is there a way to disable the actual comment tab in the config and replace it with own tab showing comments and additional stuff?

[Andy Brook [Plugin People]]

There is always a way to do such things, through customization. You need to think long and hard about whether that is what you really want to do, or whether a loosely coupled 'plugin' solution could add teh functionality that you seek, I would suggest the latter is better...

[Patrik Karisch]

Yes, a loosely coupled plugin/add-on we would prefer, but two comments tabs, could be confusing.. or?

[Andy Brook [Plugin People]]

You seem to have a clear idea of extended functionality that is over and above the existing Comment Tab, creating a new tab with this functionality is the best route, for contrast, I have a JEMH IssueTab that presents a variant of the Comment content but in a conversational style with additional information. If you are considering customizing content, writing a plugin will be less effort and lower cost in the long term. Those who would also just want the basic Comment view, still then have that choice...