In order to allow Jira to read static content, for example an external .html page, you need to perform the following:

• Add the following line to the server.xml file:

<Context docBase="/atlassian/application-data/jira/data/static-content" path="/static-content" />

This line should go after the first <Context></Context> tag under “Catalina” host description.(near the bottom of the file)

• Download and install the Custom Content gadget from Atlassian: Gadget
• Add the gadget to the dashboard
  • Under the URL put the full URL {URL}/static-content/test.html
  • URL - Deprecated copy the URL above.
• Save and enjoy the content