Today, we're opening public access to our own issue tracker
code-named Charisma. You're welcome to download the latest Charisma builds and try them in your own environment.
Why in the world did we turn our sights to issue tracking? Based on our own corporate experience, a top-class issue tracker should be able to do the following:
Make common actions, including issue search, issue editing and batch operations, faster and easier.
Provide a lightweight UI that only shows as much detail as a developer wants.
Support keyboard actions throughout the product.
Keeping these priorities in mind, we have designed a product that provides the following features:
Compact search box for query-based issue search as an alternative to traditional issue filters. Human-readable queries (i.e., all critical unresolved issues for me) along with query completion in the search box make it easy to start using the search grammar right away. (demo)
Inline issue editing, straight from within the list of search results — in addition to the more traditional dedicated-page editing. (demo)
Batch commands that share syntax with search queries let you quickly select several issues and modify their attributes simultaneously. For example, once you've typed for me open fix for eap1 in the command window, all selected issues are assigned to you, their state changes to Open, and fix version changes to eap1. (demo)
Tags — custom attributes assignable to any issue — and saved searches help users build their own paths for navigating between issues and quickly access most relevant issues. (demo)
AJAX-based user interface provides multiple advantages, including the ability to quickly hide or expand details on demand.
Extensive keyboard support helps create, edit, and navigate between issues using keyboard shortcuts. Mouse support is available as well, with filters, instant edit buttons, and menus representing common commands.
Intuitive search queries, inline editing, keyboard shortcuts, language-based commands that the user can apply to multiple issues — all this makes Charisma intuitive and easy to use without overloading the UI with too many controls.
Of course, we're gradually migrating our own products to Charisma. Currently, the users and developers of TeamCity, MPS, and dotTrace all work with the new issue tracker, providing valuable feedback.
As there's still a long way to go towards beta, we encourage you to report any bugs that you may encounter, or make feature requests — you can do both here. You can also keep in touch with Charisma developers and learn what's going on using our new blog.
Whether or not you download Charisma right now, you can read useful tips and watch Charisma demos on its Welcome page.
Start investigating the new JetBrains product in your own environment, and help us make it better every day!
Beta release is planned for the third quarter 2009.
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