Speed Up Your Atlassian Cloud Migration Testing with SDK and ngrok

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The clock is ticking for Atlassian customers. With the DataCenter end-of-life announced and Confluence Cloud's legacy editor officially retiring in April 2026, organizations worldwide are scrambling to migrate their critical workflows to the cloud. But here's the challenge: traditional migration testing is painfully slow, often involving full data synchronization, user management setup, and plugin configuration that can take hours or even days.

What if there was a way to test your migration scenarios in minutes instead of hours? Enter the powerful combination of Atlassian SDK and ngrok – a developer's secret weapon that's about to revolutionize how you approach cloud migration testing.

Published 12.11.2025 | Updated 12.11.2025

Author Rafael Pinto Sperafico

The Migration Testing Bottleneck

Traditional Atlassian Cloud migration testing typically involves:

  • Setting up complete test environments
  • Synchronizing users, groups, and permissions
  • Installing and configuring all plugins
  • Migrating test data sets
  • Waiting for indexing and processing

This process can easily consume entire days, making iterative testing and rapid validation cycles nearly impossible. For organizations facing the March 2026 deadline, this traditional approach simply isn't sustainable.

The SDK + ngrok Solution

The Atlassian SDK combined with ngrok offers a game-changing approach. Instead of full environment setup, you can:

  1. Run local Atlassian instances using the SDK
  2. Expose them securely to the web using ngrok
  3. Test specific migration scenarios without unnecessary overhead
  4. Iterate rapidly on configuration and customization

This approach lets you focus on what matters most: validating your specific use cases, plugins, and workflows without the overhead of complete environment replication.

Setting Up Your Lightning-Fast Test Environment

Prerequisites

Before diving in, ensure you have:

Step 1: Configure Your Maven Project

Start with a clean Confluence SDK project and configure your pom.xml for HTTPS support:

...
<build>
    <plugins>
        <plugin>
            <groupId>com.atlassian.maven.plugins</groupId>
            <artifactId>confluence-maven-plugin</artifactId>
            <version>${amps.version}</version>
            <extensions>true</extensions>
            <configuration>
                <productVersion>${confluence.version}</productVersion>
                <productDataVersion>${confluence.data.version}</productDataVersion>
                <enableQuickReload>true</enableQuickReload>
                <quickReloadVersion>2.0.0</quickReloadVersion>
                <allowGoogleTracking>false</allowGoogleTracking>
                <jvmArgs>
                    --add-opens java.base/sun.util.calendar=ALL-UNNAMED
                    -Xmx4g -Xms4g
                </jvmArgs>
                <contextPath>${tomcat.contextPath}</contextPath>

                <!-- HTTPS Configuration (uncomment after setup) -->
                <!--
                <useHttps>true</useHttps>
                <httpsPort>8777</httpsPort>
                <httpsKeystoreFile>${project.basedir}/keystore.jks</httpsKeystoreFile>
                <httpsKeystorePass>changeit</httpsKeystorePass>
                <httpsKeyAlias>your-ngrok-domain.ngrok-free.app</httpsKeyAlias>
                -->
                ...
            </configuration>
        </plugin>
        ... 
    </plugins>
</build>
...

Step 2: Initial Setup and ngrok Tunnel

Start your local instance without HTTPS first:

atlas-debug

Create your ngrok tunnel (in a separate terminal):

ngrok http https://localhost:8777

Copy your ngrok URL (something like https://a1b2c3d4e5f6.ngrok-free.app)

Step 3: SSL Certificate Generation

Generate a keystore with your ngrok domain:

nkeytool -genkey -keyalg RSA \
    -alias a1b2c3d4e5f6.ngrok-free.app \
    -keystore keystore.jks \
    -storepass changeit \
    -validity 360 \
    -keysize 2048 \
    -dname "CN=a1b2c3d4e5f6.ngrok-free.app, OU=Dev, O=Dev, L=City, ST=State, C=FI"

Step 4: Tomcat Proxy Configuration

Navigate to your Tomcat configuration and update the HTTP connector:

# Edit: target/container/tomcat9x/apache-tomcat-9.0.76/conf/server.xml

Update the connector configuration:

<Connector port="8080" protocol="HTTP/1.1"
           connectionTimeout="20000"
           redirectPort="8443"
           maxParameterCount="1000"
           proxyName="a1b2c3d4e5f6.ngrok-free.app"
           proxyPort="443" />

Step 5: Enable HTTPS and Restart

  1. Uncomment the HTTPS configuration in your pom.xml
  2. Update the ngrok domain in the configuration
  3. Restart atlas-debug

The system will automatically generate the HTTPS connector configuration:

<Connector SSLEnabled="true" URIEncoding="UTF-8" clientAuth="false"
    connectionTimeout="20000" keyAlias="a1b2c3d4e5f6.ngrok-free.app"
    keystoreFile="/path/to/keystore.jks" keystorePass="changeit"
    maxParameterCount="1000" maxThreads="48" port="8777"
    protocol="HTTP/1.1" proxyName="a1b2c3d4e5f6.ngrok-free.app"
    proxyPort="443" redirectPort="8443" scheme="https"
    secure="true" sslProtocol="TLS" />

Step 6: Access Your Public Instance

Your Atlassian instance is now accessible worldwide:

Why This Approach Is Revolutionary for Migration Testing

1. Rapid Iteration Cycles

Instead of waiting hours for environment setup, you can spin up test scenarios in minutes. Test a plugin configuration, tear it down, and try a different approach – all within a single work session.

2. Focused Testing

No need to migrate entire user bases or complete data sets. Create minimal, targeted test scenarios that validate specific migration concerns without the overhead.

3. Remote Collaboration

Share your ngrok URL with stakeholders, allowing them to interact with your test instance in real-time. Perfect for getting immediate feedback on migration decisions.

4. Cloud Integration Testing

Test how your local customizations will behave when exposed to the internet, including webhook integrations, external app connections, and cloud-based services.

5. Cost-Effective Validation

Avoid spinning up expensive cloud instances for every test scenario. Use your local development machine's resources efficiently.

Real-World Migration Scenarios

Plugin Compatibility Testing

Quickly validate whether your critical plugins work correctly in different Confluence or Jira versions:

# Test with Confluence 7.19.x
atlas-debug -v 7.19.0
 
# Validate plugin behavior via ngrok URL
# Switch to Confluence 8.x
atlas-debug -v 8.5.0

Theme and Customization Validation

Test custom themes, templates, and UI modifications against the target cloud environment without full migration overhead.

Integration Testing

Validate webhook integrations, REST API calls, and third-party service connections using your publicly accessible ngrok URL.

User Experience Testing

Share your test instance with end users to gather feedback on proposed changes before committing to full migration.

Best Practices for SDK + ngrok Testing

1. Version Alignment

Always test against the exact Confluence/Jira versions available in Atlassian Cloud to avoid compatibility surprises.

2. Data Minimization

Use minimal data sets that represent your key use cases rather than full production data dumps.

3. Security Considerations

Remember that ngrok URLs are publicly accessible. Use test data only and avoid exposing sensitive information.

4. Configuration Documentation

Document your test configurations and results. The rapid iteration capability means you can easily lose track of what worked and what didn't.

5. Incremental Testing

Test one component at a time. The speed of this approach allows for granular validation of individual features.

Preparing for the March 2026 Deadline

With Confluence Cloud's legacy editor retirement approaching rapidly, this testing methodology becomes even more critical. You can:

  1. Test new editor compatibility with your existing macros and content
  2. Validate third-party app behavior with the new editor
  3. Assess user training needs by providing early access to the new interface
  4. Identify migration blockers before they become critical issues

The Competitive Advantage

Organizations using this SDK + ngrok approach for migration testing report:

  • 90% reduction in testing cycle time
  • Earlier identification of migration issues
  • Improved stakeholder buy-in through interactive demos
  • Reduced migration risk through thorough validation

Alternative Approach: Atlassian Docker Images

While this blog post focuses on the Atlassian SDK approach, it's worth noting that Atlassian Docker images offer another compelling path for migration testing that deserves consideration for future exploration.

Docker vs SDK: Different Tools for Different Needs

Atlassian Docker images provide several advantages that complement the SDK approach:

  • Production-like environments: Docker images mirror actual Atlassian Cloud infrastructure more closely
  • Faster startup times: No compilation needed - containers spin up in seconds
  • Resource efficiency: Better isolation and resource management
  • Version flexibility: Easy switching between exact Atlassian versions
  • Scalability: Can simulate multiple instances or cluster configurations

When to Consider Docker Images

Docker images particularly shine for:

  • Infrastructure testing: Validating deployment configurations
  • Performance testing: Load testing with production-like setups
  • Integration testing: Multi-service architectures with databases, proxies, etc.
  • CI/CD pipelines: Automated testing environments
  • Team collaboration: Consistent environments across development teams

The Docker + ngrok Combination

Similar to our SDK approach, Docker containers can be exposed via ngrok:

# Example workflow (simplified)
docker run -p 8080:8080 atlassian/confluence-server:latest
ngrok http http://localhost:8080

This approach would eliminate the compilation overhead of the SDK while maintaining the rapid testing benefits of ngrok exposure.

Why This Post Focuses on SDK

For this particular guide, we chose the Atlassian SDK approach because:

  1. Developer familiarity: Most Atlassian developers already have SDK experience
  2. Plugin development: SDK provides better integration for custom plugin testing
  3. Configuration flexibility: Easier to modify JVM parameters and development settings
  4. Quick reload capabilities: Hot-swapping of plugin code during development
  5. Established toolchain: Well-documented maven-based workflow

Future Exploration

The Docker + ngrok approach deserves its own detailed exploration, particularly for:

  • DevOps teams focused on infrastructure and deployment
  • QA teams needing production-like test environments
  • Organizations prioritizing containerized development workflows

Both approaches—SDK and Docker—offer unique advantages for different aspects of Atlassian migration testing. The key is choosing the right tool for your specific testing objectives and team expertise.

Getting Started Today

The beauty of this SDK-based approach is its simplicity. You can have your first test environment running within 30 minutes of reading this post. With the approaching deadlines for Data Center end-of-life and Confluence legacy editor retirement, there's never been a better time to adopt faster, more efficient testing methodologies.

Don't let migration testing slow down your cloud adoption journey. Embrace the power of local development with global accessibility, and turn migration testing from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.

About the Author and Development Team

IMG_7964 (1)This blogpost on accelerating Atlassian migration testing has been authored with recognition of the valuable research and insights provided by Rafael Pinto Sperafico, a seasoned Atlassian specialist whose expertise in enterprise Jira implementations and ScriptRunner optimization has significantly informed the strategic approach presented here. Rafael's comprehensive understanding of the challenges organizations face in complex Atlassian environments, particularly regarding security compliance and performance optimization, provides essential context for why rapid testing methodologies like the SDK + ngrok approach become critical during migration periods.

This work builds upon and complements the exceptional research conducted by Ambientia, an Atlassian Platinum Partner whose deep expertise in enterprise Atlassian implementations continues to advance the community's understanding of best practices. Our comprehensive collection of Atlassian-related insights and research, available at ambientia.fi/en/news, provides valuable context for understanding the critical importance of thorough testing methodologies during Atlassian migrations and upgrades.

The rapid testing approach detailed in this blog post addresses many of the challenges highlighted in Ambientia's research — particularly the need for organizations to quickly validate security configurations, performance impacts, and compliance requirements before committing to full production migrations. Rafael's insights into enterprise-grade Atlassian implementations emphasize why testing methodologies that reduce iteration time while maintaining security and compliance standards are essential for successful cloud migrations.

The synergy between Rafael's expertise and Ambientia's proven research creates a comprehensive understanding of why both rapid testing capabilities (through SDK + ngrok) and enterprise security practices are essential components of successful Atlassian migration strategies.

For organizations seeking guidance on comprehensive Atlassian migration strategies that combine rapid testing with enterprise security and compliance requirements, consider connecting with Rafael Pinto Sperafico on LinkedIn or engaging with Ambientia's Atlassian team to leverage their proven expertise in transforming complex migration challenges into strategic advantages.

 

 

 

 

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