Atlassian has announced that developers with existing Connect apps can now build and integrate Forge-powered features. This flexible adoption approach allows developers to mix Forge modules with their current Connect offerings, providing access to Forge’s latest tools and benefits without a full migration upfront.
- Forge can be added incrementally alongside Connect apps
- Migration tools exist but some data transitions require manual handling
- Forge Preview features are production-ready with ongoing support
What happened
Atlassian has enabled developers who maintain Connect apps to begin adopting Forge features without needing to fully abandon existing modules. This approach supports adding Forge modules gradually or converting parts of a Connect app one step at a time. The update aims to provide access to the latest Forge platform capabilities such as UI extensions, storage hosted by Atlassian, and new extension points.
The company also hosted a developer webinar to address questions about adopting Forge from Connect. Topics covered included technical migration details, data handling, API token scopes, compatibility with Jira, Confluence, and Bitbucket apps, and how to communicate changes to customers during app version upgrades.
Why it matters
This incremental adoption path lowers the barrier for Connect app developers to leverage Forge’s modern infrastructure and feature set. Instead of requiring an all-or-nothing approach, developers can continue supporting legacy modules while selectively integrating Forge modules to enhance their apps.
Additionally, having Forge Preview features marked as production ready means developers can confidently use newer capabilities with support and reliability assurances. This paves the way for faster innovation in the Atlassian ecosystem and better experiences for end users through continuous app improvements.
What to watch next
Developers should monitor Atlassian’s ongoing updates for expanded Forge capabilities, particularly around data migration which currently lacks straightforward paths for some module data types. The early access program for migrating Confluence module data and upcoming support for InvokeRemote calls from Forge backends are areas to watch.
Moreover, Atlassian’s progressing Forge support for Bitbucket and upcoming feature enhancements will be important for teams deploying apps across multiple Atlassian products. Tracking community feedback and developer resources will help ensure successful adoption and utilization of Forge features.