To create a new link type in Jira Software Cloud that looks identical in linked issues (i.e., the link description is the same regardless of the direction of the link), you shouldchoose the same name for the inward and outward link descriptions(Option C). This ensures that the link type appears with the same description in both the source and target issues.

Explanation of the Correct Answer (Option C):

In Jira,issue link typesdefine relationships between issues, with anoutwarddescription(for the source issue) and aninward description(for the target issue). For example, a “Blocks” link type might have “blocks” as the outward description and “is blocked by” as the inward description. To make the link type look identical in both linked issues, you set the same description for both the inward and outward links (e.g., “relates to” for both). This results in the link appearing as “relates to” in both issues, regardless of which issue is the source or target.

Exact Extract from Documentation:

Manage issue link types

Issue link types define relationships between issues, with separateoutwardandinwarddescriptions.

To create a link type:

Go toSettings > Issues > Issue linking.

Add a new link type.

Enter aName(e.g., Relates), and set theOutward descriptionandInward description(e.g., both as “relates to”).Impact: If the inward and outward descriptions are the same, the link appears identical in both linked issues.Note: Requires Jira administrator permissions.(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Configure issue linking in Jira Cloud")

Why This Fits: Setting the same name for the inward and outward link descriptions ensures the link type looks identical in linked issues, meeting the requirement and making Option C the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

Create the link type with no inward link description (Option A):

Jira requires both aninwardandoutwarddescription when creating a link type. Leaving the inward description blank is not allowed, and even if possible, it would not make the link look identical in both issues—it would result in an empty or default description in the target issue.

Extract from Documentation:

Bothinwardandoutwarddescriptions are required when creating a link type. Blank descriptions are not supported.

(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Configure issue linking in Jira Cloud")

Disable bidirectional linking globally (Option B):

There is no concept ofbidirectional linkingin Jira’s issue linking system, and no global setting exists to disable it. Issue links are inherently bidirectional (a link from issue A to B implies a reverse link from B to A), and the descriptions control how they appear. Disabling linking is not an option.

Extract from Documentation:

Issue links are bidirectional, with inward and outward descriptions defining the relationship. No global setting exists to disable bidirectionality.

(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Configure issue linking in Jira Cloud")

Create the link type with no outward link description (Option D):

Similar to Option A, Jira requires anoutwarddescription when creating a link type. Leaving it blank is not allowed, and it would not achieve identical appearance in both issues, as the source issue would lack a description.

Extract from Documentation:

Bothoutwardandinwarddescriptions are mandatory for issue link types.

(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Configure issue linking in Jira Cloud")

Additional Notes:

Steps to configure:

Go toSettings > Issues > Issue linking.

ClickAdd link type.

Enter aName(e.g., “Relates”) and set bothOutward descriptionandInward descriptionto the same value (e.g., “relates to”).

Save the link type.

Configuring issue link types requiresJira administratorprivileges.

The new link type will appear identically in both linked issues (e.g., “Issue A relates to Issue B” and “Issue B relates to Issue A”).