---
stage: Plan
group: Project Management
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#designated-technical-writers
---

# Related issues **(STARTER)**

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/1797) in [GitLab Starter](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 9.4.

Related issues are a bi-directional relationship between any two issues
and appear in a block below the issue description. Issues can be across groups
and projects.

The relationship only shows up in the UI if the user can see both issues.

When you try to close an issue that has open blockers, a warning is displayed.

TIP: **Tip:**
To manage related issues through our API, see the [API documentation](../../../api/issue_links.md).

## Adding a related issue

> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/2035) in [GitLab Starter](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 12.8.
> - [Improved](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/34239) to warn when attempting to close an issue that is blocked by others in [GitLab Starter](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 13.0.
>   When you try to close an issue with open blockers, you'll see a warning that you can dismiss.

1. Relate one issue to another by clicking the related issues "+" button
in the header of the related issue block.

1. Input the issue reference number or paste in the full URL of the issue.

1. Select whether the current issue relates to, blocks, or is blocked by the issues being entered.

    ![Adding a related issue](img/related_issues_add_v12_8.png)

    Issues of the same project can be specified just by the reference number.
    Issues from a different project require additional information like the
    group and the project name. For example:

    - same project: `#44`
    - same group: `project#44`
    - different group: `group/project#44`

    Valid references will be added to a temporary list that you can review.

1. When you have added all the related issues, click **Add** to submit.

When you have finished adding all related issues, you will be able to see
them categorized so their relationships can be better understood visually.

![Related issue block](img/related_issue_block_v12_8.png)

## Removing a related issue

In the related issues block, click the "x" icon on the right-side of each issue
token that you wish to remove.

Due to the bi-directional relationship, it will no longer appear in either issue.

![Removing a related issue](img/related_issues_remove_v12_8.png)

Please access our [permissions](../../permissions.md) page for more information.
