Make Jira comments private by default

Jira Cloud shows every new comment to "All users" unless someone remembers to pick a role from the lock icon. Loomwise Private Comments flips that: new comments are restricted to the project's Administrators role out of the box (change it per site or per project anytime).

Install free for Jira Cloud

Free early version · Runs on Atlassian Forge · No browser extension · No outside servers

The problem

One forgotten click and an internal note is visible to customers, contractors or the whole company.
Jira has no setting for a default comment visibility. The request (JRACLOUD-9091) has ~990 votes, and Atlassian has said it has no plans to build it.
Automation can only fix comments after the fact, and needs a real user as the rule actor.

How it works

Install with the button above (a Jira admin approves it).
That's it, no setup needed. New comments in company-managed and team-managed projects are restricted to the project's Administrators role by default. To allow this, the app adds its own user to that project role so Jira permits the restriction.
Optional: in Jira settings → Apps → Loomwise Private Comments, admins can change the default role or group for the whole site or per project, or turn it off for a project.
How fast? Any new comment posted without a visibility setting is restricted automatically, usually within a minute (it can take a few minutes at peak times). Need it private from the moment it's posted? Use the Private comment panel on the issue.

What it respects

Comments where the author already picked a visibility are left alone.
Jira Service Management internal notes are left alone.
Data stays on Atlassian's platform (Forge). Nothing is sent to Loomwise servers.

Honest limits

Comments from the standard Jira comment box are restricted automatically, usually within a minute, and it can take a few minutes at peak times (a Forge platform limit, since apps can't change the native editor's default). @mentioned users and watchers may get the email before the restriction applies, so use the Private comment panel for anything sensitive.
Restricted comments are visible only to members of the chosen role/group, including the author.
Works in company-managed and team-managed projects.
The app adds its own user to the chosen project role (Administrators by default) so Jira allows the restriction.
Jira Cloud only (not Data Center).
Not on the Atlassian Marketplace yet. Installs come from a direct Atlassian developer-console link.

FAQ

Is it free? Yes, during the early version. There's a "Would you pay?" button in the panel so you can tell us if it's worth paying for.

Is the install link safe? It's Atlassian's official developer-console install flow. You'll see the app's permissions on Atlassian's own consent screen before approving.

Does it need a Chrome extension? No. It works for every user and every browser, including external users.

Does it change old comments? No, only new ones.

Does it work with JSM? It skips JSM internal notes. JSM already has native internal/external comments.

How do I uninstall? Jira settings → Apps → Manage apps → Loomwise Private Comments → Uninstall.

Privacy? See our privacy policy.

Background reading: How to make Jira Cloud comments private by default covers every native workaround.

Support

Questions, bugs, feature ideas: hello@loomwise.app