GitHub issues and Jira tasks in one list: a guide for developers working with both tools

If you manage projects in GitHub and Jira simultaneously, you know how frustrating it is to switch between apps to check GitHub issues and Jira tasks. With Foco, you can unify both sources into a single task list, view them with their original context, and take action without leaving the same place. This guide explains how to set it up step by step.

Why you need GitHub issues and Jira tasks in one list

Working with GitHub repositories and Jira tickets means checking two separate boards, remembering which issue or task belongs to which project, and wasting time switching tabs. Foco solves this by automatically bringing your GitHub issues and Jira tasks into a single dashboard, where each task retains its origin, priority, and details. This way, you avoid missing something or duplicating effort.

Step 1: Connect GitHub and Jira to Foco

• Open Foco and go to Settings > Connections.
• Select GitHub and authenticate with your account. Repeat the process for Jira.
• Choose a 'destination workspace' for each connection: Automatic (Foco decides based on content) or a fixed project from your list (e.g., 'Frontend Development').
• Enable the 'Complete also in the source' option if you want marking a task as done in Foco to automatically close the issue or task in GitHub or Jira.

Step 2: Review your GitHub issues and Jira tasks in one place

• In Panorama mode, you’ll see all your tasks (including those from GitHub and Jira) with the color of their respective workspace.
• Filter by a specific workspace (e.g., 'Backend Development') to see only the tasks for that project, including synchronized issues and tasks.
• Use the Kanban view to drag and drop tasks between columns (e.g., 'To Do', 'In Progress', 'Done'), or the List view to group them by due date.

Step 3: Take action on tasks without leaving Foco

• Mark a task as done: if you enabled 'Complete also in the source', the issue or task will be automatically closed in GitHub or Jira.
• Add notes, tags, or reminders to synchronized tasks to complement the original information.
• Assign tasks to other team members directly from Foco (only if they are invited to the corresponding workspace).

Why Foco beats alternatives like spreadsheets or generic apps

A spreadsheet or a generic note-taking app can list your GitHub issues and Jira tasks, but it won’t sync changes automatically, show the original context (like the repository or Jira project), or let you act on tasks without leaving the app. Foco, on the other hand, brings tasks with their metadata, updates them in real time, and lets you close them in both tools with a single click. Plus, by grouping them by workspace (not by tool), it avoids the mental fragmentation of constantly switching between GitHub and Jira.

What you need to get started

• A Foco account (Plus plan to access GitHub and Jira connections).
• Access permissions for your GitHub repositories and Jira projects.
• 5 minutes to set up the connections and choose how you want to organize your tasks.