How to Restrict Comment Visibility in Jira Team-Managed Projects

Short answer: Team-managed (formerly next-gen) projects don't have the comment lock icon, so you can't restrict a comment to a role or group from the UI. Atlassian's KB workaround is the REST API; the feature request is JRACLOUD-83171 (Gathering Interest). Alternatives are restricting the whole project, converting to company-managed, or an app that restricts comments for you.

1. REST API (Atlassian's workaround)

Post the comment with a visibility object:

POST /rest/api/3/issue/{issueKey}/comment with body {"body": {...ADF...}, "visibility": {"type": "role", "value": "Administrators"}}

To restrict a comment someone already posted, PUT /rest/api/3/issue/{issueKey}/comment/{commentId} with the same visibility object. Fine for integrations, not for everyday users.

2. Restrict the whole project instead

Team-managed projects can be Private (only people added to the project can see it) under Project settings > Access. That hides every issue and comment from outsiders, but can't mix internal and external comments on one issue.

3. Move to a company-managed project

Company-managed projects have the lock icon (restrict to a project role or, if enabled, a group). Moving issues means remapping fields and workflows, so it's a big change for one feature.

4. Jira Service Management

If the outside audience is customers, JSM service projects separate Reply to customer from Add internal note natively.

5. An app that restricts comments automatically

Loomwise Private Comments restricts new comments to a project role (Administrators by default, changeable per site or per project) in company-managed and team-managed projects. Free during the early version, runs on Atlassian Forge, no browser extension.

Install Private Comments free All comment-privacy workarounds

Honest limit: comments typed in the standard comment box are restricted automatically, usually within a minute (a few minutes at peak), so @mentioned users and watchers may get the email first. For sensitive notes, use the app's Private comment panel, which posts the comment already restricted.

FAQ

Why is there no lock icon on comments in my project? Team-managed projects don't support comment visibility in the UI. Atlassian tracks it as JRACLOUD-83171.

Can Automation restrict comments in team-managed projects? Automation can re-post a comment with visibility set, but the rule actor must be a real user in the target role, and notifications fire before the fix.

Which roles can I restrict to in team-managed projects? Team-managed projects have roles such as Administrator, Member and Viewer. A restricted comment is visible only to members of the chosen role.

Is Loomwise Private Comments free? Yes, during the early version. It works in team-managed and company-managed projects.

Related guides

Disclosure: Loomwise makes the apps mentioned in the cards above and wrote this guide. Not affiliated with Atlassian. Vote counts are from jira.atlassian.com as of October 2026. Last checked October 2026; Jira menus and features change, so verify in your site. Contact: hello@loomwise.app