Complete Guide: Installing Atlassian Marketplace Apps

Installing apps from the Atlassian Marketplace can significantly enhance your Jira and Confluence experience. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about installing our Forge apps in your Atlassian Cloud environment.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the installation process, ensure you meet these requirements:

Required Permissions

To install marketplace apps, you must have one of the following permission levels:

• Site Administrator: Full administrative access to your Atlassian organization
• Product Administrator: “Administer Jira” or “Administer Confluence” permissions for the specific product
• Organization Administrator: Admin rights at the organization level (for multi-site setups)

System Requirements

• Atlassian Cloud Instance: Jira Cloud or Confluence Cloud (Server/Data Center installations follow a different process)
• Active License: A valid Atlassian Cloud license with available user seats
• Browser: Modern web browser with JavaScript enabled
• Network Access: Ability to access marketplace.atlassian.com

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Method 1: Install Directly from Your Atlassian Instance

This is the most common and recommended method for installing marketplace apps.

For Jira Cloud:

1. Access Settings

   • Log in to your Jira Cloud instance
   • Click the Settings gear icon (⚙️) in the top navigation bar
   • Select Apps from the dropdown menu

2. Navigate to App Management

   • In the left sidebar, click Find new apps
   • This opens the Atlassian Marketplace directly within your Jira instance

3. Search for the App

   • Use the search bar to find the specific app by name
   • You can also browse by categories like “Administrative Tools” or “Content & Communication”
   • Filter results by ratings, pricing, or vendor

4. Install the App

   • Click on the app you want to install
   • Review the app details, permissions, and pricing
   • Click Get it now, Try it free, or Buy now
   • Confirm the installation when prompted

For Confluence Cloud:

1. Access Settings

   • Log in to your Confluence Cloud instance
   • Click the Settings gear icon (⚙️) in the top navigation bar
   • Select Manage apps from the dropdown

2. Find New Apps

   • Click Find new apps in the left sidebar
   • This connects you to the Atlassian Marketplace

3. Search and Install

   • Search for your desired app
   • Review the app information and compatibility
   • Click Get it now, Try it free, or Buy now
   • Confirm the installation

Method 2: Install from the Atlassian Marketplace Website

You can also start the installation process from the marketplace website.

1. Visit the Marketplace

   • Go to marketplace.atlassian.com
   • Search for the app you want to install

2. Select Your Instance

   • Click Get it now or Try it free
   • Sign in to your Atlassian account if prompted
   • Select the Jira or Confluence instance where you want to install the app

3. Complete Installation

   • Review the permissions and pricing
   • Confirm the installation
   • You’ll be redirected to your instance to complete the process

Post-Installation Steps

1. Verify Installation

After installation, verify that the app is working correctly:

• Check App Status: Go to Settings > Manage apps and ensure the app appears in the “User-installed apps” section with an “Enabled” status
• Look for New Features: Check if new menu items, buttons, or macros have appeared in your interface
• Review Permissions: Ensure the app has the necessary permissions to function

2. Configure the App

Most apps require some initial configuration:

• Access App Settings: Look for the app in your Manage apps section and click Configure
• Set Permissions: Configure who can use the app and what actions they can perform
• Customize Features: Adjust settings to match your team’s workflow and preferences

3. User Training

• Notify Your Team: Inform users about the new app and its capabilities
• Provide Documentation: Share user guides and best practices
• Schedule Training: Consider organizing training sessions for complex apps

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Permission Denied Errors

Problem: “You don’t have permission to install apps”

Solution:

• Verify you have Site Admin or Product Admin permissions
• Contact your organization administrator to grant the necessary permissions
• Check if app installation is restricted by organization policies

Installation Timeout

Problem: Installation process hangs or times out

Solution:

• Refresh the page and try again
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try using a different browser or incognito mode
• Check your network connection

App Not Appearing After Installation

Problem: App is installed but features aren’t visible

Solution:

• Hard refresh your browser (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
• Check if the app requires additional configuration
• Verify user permissions for accessing app features
• Wait a few minutes as some apps need time to fully initialize

License Issues

Problem: “License not found” or “Trial expired” messages

Solution:

• Check your license status in Manage apps
• Ensure you have available user licenses
• Purchase a license if the trial period has ended
• Contact the app vendor for license-related issues

Best Practices for App Management

Before Installation

1. Research the App: Read reviews, check ratings, and review the vendor’s reputation
2. Test in Sandbox: If available, test the app in a sandbox environment first
3. Review Permissions: Understand what data and permissions the app requires
4. Check Compatibility: Ensure the app works with your current Atlassian version

After Installation

1. Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on how the app affects your instance performance
2. Regular Updates: Keep apps updated to the latest versions for security and features
3. User Feedback: Collect feedback from users to ensure the app meets expectations
4. Backup Considerations: Understand how app data is handled in backups

Security Considerations

1. Vendor Trust: Only install apps from trusted marketplace partners
2. Permission Review: Regularly review app permissions and access levels
3. Data Handling: Understand where and how your data is processed
4. Compliance: Ensure apps meet your organization’s compliance requirements

App-Specific Installation Notes

Forge Apps (Recommended)

Our apps are built on Atlassian’s Forge platform, which offers several advantages:

• Native Integration: Seamless integration with Atlassian’s infrastructure
• Enhanced Security: Built-in security features and data protection
• Automatic Updates: Apps update automatically without user intervention
• Better Performance: Optimized for cloud environments

Cloud Fortified Apps

Look for the “Cloud Fortified” badge when selecting apps:

• Enhanced Security: Additional security reviews and compliance
• Reliability Standards: Higher uptime and performance guarantees
• Premium Support: Better support response times and quality

Getting Help

If you encounter issues during installation:

Atlassian Support

• Community Forum: community.atlassian.com
• Documentation: Official Atlassian installation guides
• Support Tickets: For licensed products, submit support requests

App Vendor Support

• App Documentation: Check the app’s listing page for user guides
• Vendor Support: Contact the app developer directly
• Marketplace Reviews: Check recent reviews for similar issues

Emergency Contacts

For critical issues:

1. Disable the App: Go to Manage apps and disable the problematic app
2. Uninstall if Necessary: Remove the app completely if it’s causing major issues
3. Contact Support: Reach out to both Atlassian and the app vendor
4. System Restore: Consider restoring from backup in extreme cases

Conclusion

Installing Atlassian Marketplace apps is a straightforward process when you have the right permissions and follow the proper steps. Our Forge apps are designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing Atlassian Cloud environment, providing enhanced functionality while maintaining security and performance standards.

Remember to always test new apps in a controlled environment when possible, and keep your team informed about new tools and their capabilities.

For specific questions about our apps or installation issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team through the Atlassian Marketplace or our dedicated support channels.

Last updated: January 6, 2025 For the most current installation procedures, always refer to the official Atlassian documentation and the specific app’s marketplace listing.