How to Delete a Story in Jira
By Impran M N
Sometimes a story gets created by mistake or turns out to be a duplicate, and the cleanest fix is to delete it outright. This guide covers how to remove a story issue in Jira and what to verify before doing so.
01Confirm the story should be deleted, not just closed
If the story has any history or value as a record, consider closing or marking it as won't-do instead, since deletion is permanent.
02Open the story
Navigate to the specific story issue you want to remove.
03Check for linked work
Look for any linked issues, subtasks, or comments that might be affected by removing the story.
04Use the delete option
Select the delete action from the issue's menu to remove the story from your project.
05Confirm the deletion
Jira will ask you to confirm, since this action is permanent and cannot be undone once completed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover a deleted story in Jira?
No, deleting an issue in Jira is permanent, so it's worth double-checking before confirming the action.
What happens to subtasks when I delete a story?
Subtasks attached to a deleted story are typically deleted along with it, so review any subtasks before proceeding.
Should I delete or close an outdated story?
If you want to preserve a record for reporting or history purposes, closing or marking it won't-do is usually the safer choice over outright deletion.
Do I need special permissions to delete a story?
Yes, deleting issues typically requires delete permissions on the project, which may be restricted depending on your role.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.



