Xray & Jira – Test management right where your requirements are

Manual and automated testing, natively integrated into Jira. No need to switch tools, no disruption to workflows.

Request an Xray consultation now

What is Xray?

Xray (by Xpand IT) is the market-leading test management tool in the Atlassian ecosystem. Unlike external test management solutions, Xray operates entirely within Jira – test cases, test plans, test runs and results are native Jira issue types. This means: no separate tool, no need to switch logins, and no synchronisation issues. Quality assurance becomes part of the same workflow used to manage requirements, user stories and bugs.

Xray supports manual testing, automated testing (JUnit, TestNG, Cucumber, Robot Framework and many more), exploratory testing and BDD (Behaviour-Driven Development) – all from a single interface.

Smarter Together: Xray + Atlassian

  • Test management as a Jira issue type – without switching
    tools Test management stays right within Jira: test cases, test plans, test runs, pre-conditions and test sets are fully-fledged Jira issue types. This means they appear seamlessly in boards, backlogs, filters and dashboards – without switching tools or any disruption to the workflow.
  • Traceability from requirement to defect – end-to-end traceability
    With Xray, traceability from the requirement through the test case and test result to the defect becomes transparent. Coverage is visible directly in Jira, so teams can immediately see whether a story has been sufficiently tested.
  • Jira dashboards & gadgets – reporting on coverage and test progress
    Jira-native gadgets provide an overview of test coverage, test execution progress and defect rates. All metrics can be integrated directly into Jira dashboards without the need for an external reporting solution.
  • CI/CD integration – automated test results in Xray
    Automated test results from Jenkins, GitLab CI, Bitbucket Pipelines, GitHub Actions and other CI/CD tools feed directly back into Xray. Where required, these are automatically converted into test cases, so that pipeline results can be used immediately within the Jira context.
  • BDD with Gherkin – manage
    test scenarios directly in Jira Gherkin-based test scenarios can be created and managed directly in Jira and linked to automated tests. Xray automatically generates the relevant feature files and integrates them seamlessly into the CI/CD pipeline.
  • Unified test management – manual, automated, exploratory & BDD
    Whether manual, automated, exploratory or BDD: Xray brings together different testing approaches in a single solution. Teams can flexibly combine whatever suits their process without having to switch between different tools.

Why Xray is particularly efficient in Jira

Data management

Test cases, test plans, test runs and results are stored directly in Jira, creating a centralised, reliable database.

User Experience

Teams work within the familiar Jira interface and seamlessly integrate test management into existing workflows.

Traceability

Requirements, user stories, bugs, epics and test results are linked together in real time and displayed in a traceable manner.

Reporting

Coverage, test progress and quality metrics can be visualised directly via Jira dashboards and Xray gadgets.

Permissions

Existing Jira permissions and role models can be used directly for test management.

CI/CD integration

Automated test results are fed directly back into the Jira context via APIs and integrations.

Administration

Test management runs as part of the existing Jira platform, reducing the need for additional administrative work.

Do you have any questions?

Typical use cases

Link test cases directly to user stories using Xray

Scenario 1: Quality assurance during a sprint

Test cases are directly linked to user stories and are tested during the sprint. QA engineers and developers work on the same Jira board. This allows the whole team to see at a glance which tests have been passed and where further action is required.

Scenario 2: Regulated sectors (medical technology, automotive, finance)

In regulated environments, tests must be documented in a traceable manner – for example, for ISO 13485, IEC 62304, ASPICE or SOX. Xray supports this with audit-ready reports and full traceability directly within Jira. This reduces the need for manual documentation and makes evidence available more quickly.

Scenario 3: Shift-Left Testing with CI/CD

Automated tests such as JUnit, Selenium or Cucumber are run early on in the pipeline. The results are automatically fed back to Xray and remain visible within the Jira context. If a test fails, Jira defects are created with a direct link to the test case and requirement.

Scenario 4: Test reuse across projects

Recurring test cases do not need to be created from scratch every time. Teams can reuse them across projects and develop them consistently. This is particularly helpful for product lines, platform teams or organisations with several similar products.

Why Communardo?

Communardo is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner and a Specialised Partner for Software Development

Communardo supports companies not only in implementing Xray, but also in integrating it effectively into existing Jira and Atlassian processes.

As an Xray Certified Partner, we know the solution inside out from numerous implementation projects and understand what really matters in day-to-day use: streamlined workflows, insightful dashboards and a test management structure that teams actually use. Our in-depth Atlassian expertise as a Platinum Solution Partner and Specialised Partner for Software Development ensures that Xray integrates seamlessly with Jira, boards, permissions and reporting.

Even in regulated environments – such as medical technology, the automotive sector or finance – we bring experience with audit-ready traceability, compliance requirements and robust evidence. From the right licensing through to configuration, roll-out and managed services, Communardo provides end-to-end support.

Get advice now

Who is Xray relevant for?

Test management integrated directly into day-to-day Jira operations

With Xray, test cases, test plans and test runs are managed right where requirements, user stories and bugs are created. This ensures that operational testing remains clear, traceable and firmly integrated into the existing Jira workflow.

Faster feedback loops for development teams

Automated test results feed directly back into Jira and can be linked to tickets, requirements and defects. This makes it clear at an early stage what is working, where risks arise and which changes require attention.

Transparency for management and reporting

Coverage, test progress and quality metrics are made accessible via dashboards and reports. At the same time, Xray provides audit-ready traceability from the requirement right through to the test result – ideal for well-informed decisions and robust evidence.

Licensing & Procurement for Xray Cloud

Xray Cloud can be obtained directly via the Atlassian Marketplace and is up and running in no time for teams on Jira Cloud. Updates are automatic, operations remain streamlined, and the solution scales flexibly with your user base.

Xray Cloud’s licensing is based on the respective user tiers. We’ll help you find the right licence size, review the available terms and conditions, and ensure that procurement and set-up are as straightforward as possible.

Request a licence quote for Xray Cloud

FAQ

Yes. Manual test cases in Xray do not require any programming knowledge. The Jira-native interface is accessible to all users who are already familiar with Jira.

Yes. Xray offers import functions for CSV, JSON and XML. Migrations from TestRail, Zephyr and other tools are possible – we can assist with mapping and data transfer.

Xray offers a REST API and native integrations for JUnit, TestNG, NUnit, Cucumber, Robot Framework and others. Test results are automatically imported and linked to test cases in Jira.

Yes. Xray is used in sectors such as medical technology (IEC 62304, ISO 13485), the automotive industry (ASPICE) and finance (SOX). Its seamless traceability and audit-ready reports meet regulatory requirements.

Licence costs depend on the number of users and the version (Cloud or Data Centre). Please contact us for a personalised quote.

Do you have any questions or would you like some advice from us?

Arrange a personal, no-obligation consultation with our Atlassian Sales Experts.

Marlen Kaiser, Team Leader Customer Acquisition bei Communardo Software GmbH

Your contact person

Marlen Kaiser
We're happy to help you

Book an appointment now