Step-by-Step Zephyr Installation

The Zephyr is developed by SmartBear. Zephyr is a complete test management solution designed to work smooth continuously within Jira, ensuring teams to plan, create, execute, and report on software tests directly from Jira environment.

Zephyr provides both manual and automated testing among Agile, Scrum and DevOps methodologies.

Zephyr product versions:

Three main Zephyr products designed for different types of Jira users.

Zephyr Squad

A lightweight test management app built directly into Jira Cloud or Server.This is best for small to mid-sized teams.

Zephyr Scale

A more advanced app with folder structure, reusable test assets, and reporting. This is best for mid to large enterprises.

Zephyr Enterprise

A full-featured test management platform ideal for regulated or high-scale environments. This is best for Standalone tool outside Jira.

Recently SMARTBEAR consolidated Zephyr Squad and Zephyr Scale into single product family Zephyr. Previously Zephyr Scale now Zephyr and Zephyr Squad now Zephyr Essential.

Installation of Zephyr plug-in to the Jira

To work with Zephyr, we must navigate to the Atlassian marketplace search for Zephyr Scale, and click on install then Zephyr plug-in is added to the Jira. After installing we need this app to be enabled. To do this process we need proper access granted through the Jira administrator. Jira admins control Zephyr configuration and user permissions. Once the configuration is done we can integrate Zephyr with Jira projects and establish user permissions.

Zephyr Scale installation differs widely between Jira Cloud and Jira Server/Data Center due to the platform's basic architecture and the administrative paradigm. Installation within Jira Cloud is supported by Atlassian Marketplace via one-click installation with simple site administrator permissions. Atlassian hosts the application, and updates are automatically pushed. Licensing and billing are easily managed by Atlassian's cloud services. Configuration and customization are not supported in the Cloud version due to platform constraints.

Zephyr setup of Jira Server/Data Center is performed manually through the Jira Admin UI under Manage Apps, and only a system administrator can perform this. Manually input a license key to activate the app. Server/DC hosting is on our own hardware, where we have complete control over security, performance, and data compliance. It also accommodates easier customization, additional configuration, and more robust integration facilities. The overall setup process and updates must be downloaded and installed manually.

Now lets go deep in to the subject and learn in detail step-by-step how to install the Zephyr in Jira.

Installing Zephyr in Jira cloud

Step 1: Login as a Jira admin

To install in Jira Cloud, Ensure you log into Jira using Administration credentials. Jira administrator can install and configure apps on Jira site.

Step 2: Navigate to the Atlassian Marketplace.

Click on More from the top navigation bar, select Apps from dropdown and again click on Apps, select "Explore More apps". This will navigate us to the Atlassian Marketplace where we can search and install the apps to extend Jira's functionality.

select "Explore more apps".

Step 3: Search for Zephyr.

Browse Zephyr in search field and enter. We have several Zephyr products available from SmartBear in Atlassian Marketplace such as  "Zephyr - Test Management and Automation for Jira",  "Zephyr Essential - Test Management for Jira", "Zephyr Enterprise Integration for Jira", "Zephyr Automate -Expanded Automation for Jira" by SmartBear. Select "Zephyr - Test Management and Automation for Jira" by SmartBear.

Step 4: Install the app.

Once we found Zephyr, click it and select "Try it free" to start a free trail or "Install". We get 30 days free to try it and later it can be purchased.

We see prompt "Adding Zephyr - Test Management and Automation for Jira..".

Once Zephyr is successfully added we see prompt and see in the app "Added".

Step 5: Look for the Zephyr app in Jira project.

On the left side panel we can find Zephyr app in Jira project but it is not enabled yet.

Click on "Click here enable" then Zephyr is enabled for the project.

We can also see all the available apps.

Step 6 : Open Zephyr app.

Click on Zephyr app, it is navigated to Zephyr and we can see all the tabs Test Cases, Test Cycles etc.,.

Step 7: Getting started with Zephyr app.

Start by creating Test Cases, Test Cycles, Test Plans, and generating Reports to manage the testing process. We can also integrate Zephyr with automation tools like Jenkins, REST API, GIT HUB, or other CI/CD tools to enable test automation and reporting.

Jira cloud is ideal for teams who desire a hassle-free set up with auto-upgrades and minimal infrastructure management. It offers limited customization and global setting control. We can choose Zephyr in Jira cloud for simplicity, fast setup, and automatic updates.

Zephyr is an enterprise-class, full-featured test management tool of Jira that has test case management, automation integration, and detailed reporting. Process is easy but requires close attention to permissions and license management at the time of installation.

This blog is intended to give you a better understanding of Zephyr installation and how it enhances test management.

Quality isn’t just tested—it’s managed. Zephyr helps you do both.