Who Can Create Links
Creating a link lets a file leave your Jira site, or come into it, so you decide who may do it. The choice is on the Permissions tab of the Policies page and covers creating, revoking and unlocking links. Seeing the panel and its files always follows Jira: anyone who can see the work item sees them.
The two modes
Anyone who can add attachments to the work item
The default. Whoever may add an attachment to a work item may also create, revoke and unlock its links. There is nothing to set up: the rules come from the Jira permissions you already have.
People with the Share files externally permission
Only people who hold Share files externally, a space permission the app adds to Jira, can create, revoke and unlock links. Jira administrators always can, so switching modes never locks you out.
People without the permission still see the panel and its files. Instead of the buttons, they see: To create links, ask your Jira admin for the Share files externally permission.
If only some agents should create links, use this mode. In service spaces the permission to add attachments is often granted widely, and this mode keeps the choice in your hands.
Grant the Share files externally permission
Company-managed spaces
Add Share files externally to the roles, groups or people that need it in the space's permission scheme. The How to grant it section of the Permissions tab links to Jira's permission schemes.
Team-managed spaces
In the space, go to Space settings → Access → Manage roles, and give the permission to a role under its app permissions. This is not available on the Jira Free plan.
Check who holds it
The Where it's granted section of the Permissions tab lists each permission scheme and space role that grants it, and to whom.
The Permissions tab with the second mode selected, and the Where it's granted table listing a permission scheme and its holders.
Switching modes
When you choose the second mode, the page warns you before you save and shows who will be able to create links from then on, so that nobody loses the buttons by surprise.
The change applies at once to creating, revoking and unlocking links. Links that already exist keep working.