Redmine Mylyn integration howto

There is a dearth of a reasonably complete step by step howto on integrating the latest version of Redmine (1.2) with Eclipse 3.5.2 (onwards). In fact, when I looked, the relevant information was somewhat "splintered" (frustration > progress) across sites that ultimately led me exasperated. This is what I am trying to address by this entry. Hopefully, it helps others get off to a running start.

Pre-requisites:
Eclipse: 3.5.2
Redmine: 1.2
Mylyn: 3.6.1

Install Eclipse plugin
1. In Eclipse: Help - Install New Software - Add
2. Enter the following details:

   The update site is: http://redmin-mylyncon.sourceforge.net/update-site/N/

Install Redmine plugin

This was the tricky part. Took most time to figure out. Git was not behaving. So, had to do things the old fashioned way ... sigh!

These steps need to be done on the server - where Redmine is hosted.

1. Use lynx or browser, open: http://redmin-mylyncon.git.sourceforge.net/git/gitweb-index.cgi
2. Click on "summary". You should see a list of commit log entries for the connector. For Redmine 1.2, one needs at least ver 2.7.4
3. Download the snapshot by clicking on the snapshot link. (I used ver 2.7.4 - use a more recent version, if available). You will get a tar.gz file
4. Unzip and untar it. You should get a "redmin-mylyn-connector" directory
5. Copy directory to <Redmine_HOME>/vendor/plugins (hint: Your cmd would be like: cp -R redmin-mylyn-connector <Redmine_HOME>/vendor/plugins"
6. Shutdown Redmine
7. Restart Redmine
8. Go to Administration - Plugins. Make sure you see "Mylyn Connector plugin" (min ver. 2.7.4)

Configure Redmine

1. Go to Administration - Settings - Authentication

2. Enable: Authentication Required
3. Enable: Enable REST web service

Configure Eclipse

1. Go to Eclipse menu: Window–>Show View–>Other–>Tasks–>Tasks List
2. Right click in the Tasks List area and select New–>Task.
3. Click 'Add Tasks Repository' button and select the Redmine task repository type.
4. In the popup form enter (http://<Redmine_URL>, label == "Redmine", user name, password)
5. Press "Validate Settings" button at the bottom of the form, and you should get a "Connection successful" status message. You should be able to submit issues from your eclipse IDE, now.

Setting up Task List

In Eclipse:

1. Open: Window - Open Perspective - Other
2. Select "Planning"

Create a List of "Open issues Assigned to me"

1. On the task list, right-click and choose New -> Query...
2. Select your newly created repository
3. Click "<<Create a new query>>" , click Next
4. Enter the following:
      Title: All Open Issues assigned to Me
      status_id: Open
      assigned_to_id: <Your name>
      click 'Finish'

You're done! Pat yourself on the back by closing this ticket from your Task list and send me a "Whoohoo" comment on this blog entry!



FAQ:

Q. I have followed the steps but I get a "404 message" when I validate settings
A. This typically happens when:
      - you don't have the right version of the connector installed. Review the Install Redmine plugin steps.