gh-openshift-eng-ai-helpers-plugins-jira/commands/validate-blockers.md

description: Validate proposed release blockers using Red Hat OpenShift release blocker criteria argument-hint: [target-version] [component-filter] [--bug issue-key]

Name

jira:validate-blockers

Synopsis

/jira:validate-blockers [target-version] [component-filter] [--bug issue-key]

Note: target-version is required unless --bug is provided.

Description

The jira:validate-blockers command helps release managers make data-driven decisions on proposed release blockers. It analyzes bugs with "Release Blocker = Proposed" status using Red Hat OpenShift release blocker criteria and provides clear APPROVE/REJECT/DISCUSS recommendations with detailed justification.

This command is essential for:

• Validating proposed release blockers
• Making blocker approval/rejection decisions
• Understanding why a bug should or shouldn't block a release
• Reviewing blocker criteria compliance

Key Features

• Proposed Blocker Focus – Automatically filters for bugs with Release Blocker = Proposed
• Red Hat OpenShift Release Blocker Criteria – Analyzes against documented blocker criteria
• Clear Recommendations – Provides APPROVE, REJECT, or DISCUSS recommendations
• Detailed Justification – Shows which criteria matched and analysis rationale
• Component Filtering – Scope validation to specific components

Implementation

For detailed implementation guidance including JQL queries, scoring algorithms, and decision logic, see the jira-validate-blockers skill.

High-Level Workflow

1. Parse Arguments and Build Filters – Extract arguments (target version, component filter, bug ID). Build JQL query for:

   • Single bug mode (if --bug provided): Query specific bug by issue key (version not required)
   • Component + version mode (if both provided): Query proposed blockers matching target version and component, excluding already-fixed bugs (status not in Closed, Release Pending, Verified, ON_QA)
   • Version only mode (if version provided): Query all proposed blockers for target version, excluding already-fixed bugs
   • Error: If neither --bug nor version provided, show error message

2. Query Proposed Blockers – Use MCP tools to fetch bugs based on mode:

   • Single bug: Fetch one specific bug with all fields
   • Component + version: Fetch proposed blockers matching version and component filter, excluding already-fixed statuses
   • Version only: Fetch all proposed blockers for target version, excluding already-fixed statuses

3. Analyze Each Blocker – Apply Red Hat OpenShift release blocker criteria:

   • Strong blockers: Component Readiness regression, Service Delivery blocker, data loss, install/upgrade failures, service unavailability, regressions
   • Never blockers: Severity below Important, new features without regression
   • Workaround assessment: Check if acceptable workaround exists (idempotent, safe at scale, timely)

4. Generate Recommendations – Create report with APPROVE/REJECT/DISCUSS verdicts and justifications.

Technical Details

The skill file provides complete details on:

• JQL query construction for proposed blockers
• Blocker scoring criteria and point values
• Workaround assessment logic
• Decision thresholds

Usage Examples

Version-Based Validation

1. Validate all proposed blockers for a target version:

   /jira:validate-blockers 4.21
   

Component-Based Validation

2. Validate blockers for a specific component and version:

   /jira:validate-blockers 4.21 "Hypershift"
   

Single Bug Validation

3. Validate a specific proposed blocker (version not required):

   /jira:validate-blockers --bug OCPBUGS-36846
   

Output Format

The command outputs a blocker validation report:

# 🚫 Release Blocker Validation Report
**Components**: All | **Project**: OCPBUGS | **Proposed Blockers**: 5 | **Generated**: 2025-11-23

## Summary
- ✅ **Recommend APPROVE**: 2
- ❌ **Recommend REJECT**: 1
- ⚠️ **Needs DISCUSSION**: 2

---

## Blocker Analysis

### OCPBUGS-12345: Cluster install fails on AWS ✅ APPROVE

**Recommendation**: APPROVE - This bug meets blocker criteria

**Criteria Matched**:
- ✅ Install/upgrade failure
- ✅ Affects all users
- ✅ No acceptable workaround

**Justification**:
Install failures are strong blockers. This bug prevents cluster installation on AWS, affecting all users attempting AWS deployments. No workaround exists.

**Suggested Action**: Approve as release blocker

---

### OCPBUGS-12346: UI button misaligned ❌ REJECT

**Recommendation**: REJECT - This bug does not meet blocker criteria

**Criteria Matched**:
- ❌ Cosmetic/UI-only issue (not data loss/corruption/unavailability)
- ❌ Severity: Low (must be Important or higher)

**Justification**:
Bugs with severity below Important are never blockers. This is a cosmetic issue with no functional impact.

**Suggested Action**: Reject as release blocker, triage to appropriate sprint

---

## Next Steps
1. Review APPROVE recommendations - add to blocker list
2. Review REJECT recommendations - remove blocker status
3. Discuss unclear cases in triage meeting

Arguments

IMPORTANT: Either target-version OR --bug must be provided. If neither is provided, the command will error out.

Core Arguments

• $1 – target-version (required unless --bug is provided) Target release version to validate blockers for. Format: X.Y (e.g., 4.21, 4.22)

  The implementation automatically:

  • Expands version to search for both X.Y and X.Y.0 in Target Version, Target Backport Versions, and Affected Version fields
  • Excludes already-fixed bugs with status: Closed, Release Pending, Verified, ON_QA

  Examples:

  • 4.21 - Validates active proposed blockers for 4.21
  • 4.22 - Validates active proposed blockers for 4.22

  Note: Not required when --bug is provided.

• $2 – component-filter (optional) Component name(s) to filter proposed blockers. Supports single or multiple (comma-separated) components.

  Examples:

  • "Hypershift" - Single component
  • "Hypershift,Cluster Version Operator" - Multiple components

  Note: Ignored if --bug is provided. Requires target-version to be specified.

  Default: All components for the target version

• --bug (optional) Validate a single specific bug by its JIRA issue key.

  When provided, analyzes only this bug and ignores both target-version and component-filter.

  Examples:

  • --bug OCPBUGS-36846

  Note: When --bug is provided, target-version and component-filter are ignored.

  Default: Not specified

Return Value

• Markdown Report: Blocker validation report with recommendations
• Exit Code:
  • 0 - Success
  • 1 - Error querying JIRA or analyzing bugs

Prerequisites

• Jira MCP server must be configured (see plugin README)
• MCP tools provide read-only access to JIRA APIs
• No JIRA credentials required for read operations (public Red Hat JIRA issues)
• Access to JIRA projects (OCPBUGS)
• Permission to search and view issues in target projects