Cloning subtask (sub-items)

Subtasks in Jira can be cloned just like any other work item. Whether you’re duplicating a test case, a checklist item, or a technical step, Clone Expert lets you easily copy it with full control.

Although subtasks are lower in the hierarchy, the cloning process offers the same configuration, editing, and flexibility as for tasks, stories, or bugs.

🧩Subtask clone to the same parent

By default, when you clone a sub-task, it will be automatically linked to its original parent issue.

✅ When to use it

Use this option when you need to:

  • Duplicate a single subtask for reuse elsewhere
  • Create variations of a subtask with updated content
  • Clone subtasks across projects or issue types

🛠️ How it works

  1. Select the subtask you want to clone.
  2. Click the Clone issue option in the Operations menu
Clone issue - menu option
  1. In the cloning form the subtask will appear in the preview table
  2. (Optional) You can adjust any field – e.g. summary, description, assignee, or dates
  3. Click Clone – your subtask will be duplicated and added to the same work item

      🔁 What gets cloned

      • subtasks linked to the same parent (bug, story, task, feature, etc.)

      💡 Tips

      • Cloned subtasks are always assigned to the same parent as the original – Jira requires this
      • If you want to clone a sub-task into a different parent, use the “Select parent for the top-level work item” option
      • Subtasks are automatically cloned into the same project as their parent – Jira does not allow placing subtasks in different projects
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      🧩Clone subtasks to a different parent

      If you want to clone one or more subtasks and reassign them to a different parent, Clone Expert allows this via the “Select parent for the top-level work item” option – available when cloning from the original parent issue.

      ✅ When to use it

      Use this option when you need to:

      • Duplicate the sub-task and place it under a different story, task, bug, feature, etc.

      🛠️ How it works

      While in the cloning form (opened from the subtask):

      1. In the Advanced options, check the box: Select parent for the top-level work item
      2. A dropdown will appear. Use it to select the new parent issue – this is where the sub-tasks will be cloned into (e.g. another Story, Task, or Bug that accepts subtasks)
      3. (Optional) Adjust field values such as summary, due date, or assignee
      4. Click Clone – the selected sub-tasks will be cloned and automatically assigned to the new parent

      💡 Tips

      • The new parent must be a valid issue type that supports subtasks
      • Subtasks will still be cloned in the same project as the new parent
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