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Zephyr: Update Test Cycle

zephyr_update_test_cycle
Idempotent

Update an existing test cycle by merging changes to prevent accidental property deletion. Modify fields such as name, dates, folder, status, owner, or custom fields.

Instructions

Update an existing Test Cycle in Zephyr. This operation fetches the current test cycle and merges your updates with it to prevent accidental property deletion. To remove a property, set it to null explicitly. The plannedStartDate and plannedEndDate fields cannot be cleared

Toolset: Test Cycles

Parameters:

  • testCycleIdOrKey (string) required: The ID or key of the test cycle.

  • id (number): The ID of the entity

  • key (string): Unique key of the test cycle

  • name (string)

  • project (object): ID and link relative to Zephyr project.

  • jiraProjectVersion (number): The ID of the Jira project version (release) to associate.

  • status (object): ID and link to the status resource.

  • folder (number): The ID of the folder to move the test cycle into.

  • description (string): Description outlining the scope.

  • plannedStartDate (string): Planned start date of the test cycle. This field cannot be blank. Setting it as null or excluding it from the request will leave the field values unchanged. ISO 8601 Format (i.e., yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss'Z')

  • plannedEndDate (string): The planned end date of the test cycle. This field cannot be blank. Setting it as null or excluding it from the request will leave the field values unchanged. ISO 8601 Format (i.e., yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss'Z')

  • owner (string): Atlassian Account ID of the Jira user to set as owner.

  • customFields (record<string, any>): Multi-line text fields support HTML and should denote new lines with the <br> tag. Dates should be in the format 'yyyy-MM-dd'. Users should have values of Jira User Account IDs.

Examples:

  1. Update the name of the test cycle 'SA-R40' to 'Sprint 1 Regression - Updated' and set description.

{
  "testCycleIdOrKey": "SA-R40",
  "name": "Sprint 1 Regression - Updated",
  "description": "Updated regression scope for Sprint 1"
}

Expected Output: The test cycle should be updated, but no output is expected.

  1. Update planned dates for test cycle id '1' (keep everything else unchanged).

{
  "testCycleIdOrKey": "1",
  "plannedStartDate": "2018-05-19T13:15:13Z",
  "plannedEndDate": "2018-05-20T13:15:13Z"
}

Expected Output: The test cycle should be updated, but no output is expected.

  1. Change folder and status for test cycle 'SA-R40' by setting folder id and status id.

{
  "testCycleIdOrKey": "SA-R40",
  "folder": 100006,
  "status": {
    "id": 10000
  }
}

Expected Output: The test cycle should be updated, but no output is expected.

  1. Update custom fields on test cycle 'SA-R40' while keeping other custom fields intact.

{
  "testCycleIdOrKey": "SA-R40",
  "customFields": {
    "Build Number": 20,
    "Release Date": "2020-01-01"
  }
}

Expected Output: The test cycle should be updated, but no output is expected.

  1. Remove the owner from test cycle 'SA-R40'.

{
  "testCycleIdOrKey": "SA-R40",
  "owner": null
}

Expected Output: The test cycle should be updated, but no output is expected.

  1. Remove a specific custom field 'Pre-Condition(s)' from test cycle 'SA-R40' while keeping other custom fields intact.

{
  "testCycleIdOrKey": "SA-R40",
  "customFields": {
    "Pre-Condition(s)": null,
    "Implemented": false
  }
}

Expected Output: The test cycle should be updated, but no output is expected.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
idNoThe ID of the entity
keyNoUnique key of the test cycle
nameNo
ownerNoAtlassian Account ID of the Jira user to set as owner.
folderNoThe ID of the folder to move the test cycle into.
statusNoID and link to the status resource.
projectNoID and link relative to Zephyr project.
descriptionNoDescription outlining the scope.
customFieldsNoMulti-line text fields support HTML and should denote new lines with the \<br\> tag. Dates should be in the format 'yyyy-MM-dd'. Users should have values of Jira User Account IDs.
plannedEndDateNoThe planned end date of the test cycle. This field cannot be blank. Setting it as null or excluding it from the request will leave the field values unchanged. ISO 8601 Format (i.e., yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss'Z')
plannedStartDateNoPlanned start date of the test cycle. This field cannot be blank. Setting it as null or excluding it from the request will leave the field values unchanged. ISO 8601 Format (i.e., yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss'Z')
testCycleIdOrKeyYesThe ID or key of the test cycle.
jiraProjectVersionNoThe ID of the Jira project version (release) to associate.
Install Server

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description goes well beyond the provided annotations by disclosing that the operation fetches the current cycle and merges updates, that null explicitly removes properties, and that plannedStartDate and plannedEndDate cannot be cleared. It also states through examples that no output is expected, adding practical behavioral clarity.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The critical behavioral guidance is front-loaded in the opening paragraph, and the examples are well-structured and purposeful. The description is somewhat long because it repeats many parameter details already present in the schema, but the organization keeps it usable.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a 13-parameter update tool with no output schema, the description covers the key invocation behaviors: merge semantics, null deletion, date restrictions, and common update workflows via examples. Minor gaps remain around the relationship between testCycleIdOrKey and the separate id/key fields, but the schema and annotations cover the essential contract.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 92%, so the schema already documents most parameters. The description adds value through six examples that clarify how to use nested status/folder objects, customFields, date formats, and null-based property removal, which the schema alone does not fully convey.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The first sentence, "Update an existing Test Cycle in Zephyr," pairs a specific verb with a concrete resource and a platform scope. This clearly distinguishes it from siblings like zephyr_create_test_cycle, zephyr_get_test_cycle, and the other zephyr update/execute operations.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description establishes clear context by emphasizing "existing" Test Cycle and explains merge semantics rather than replacement. It does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use the tool, but the wording is sufficient to route an agent away from create/get variants.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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