A custom Azure DevOps work item control that turns any text field into a smart URL field.
In view mode the value is rendered as a clickable hyperlink that opens in a new tab — no more copying and pasting URLs out of work items. In edit mode it becomes a plain text input so the value is easy to read and update.
Value formats
Two formats are supported:
Format
Example value
Renders as
Plain URL
https://example.com/path
https://example.com/path(link)
Markdown link
[Release notes](https://example.com/notes)
Release notes(link)
The Markdown format is useful when the raw URL is long or meaningless — give it a friendly label instead.
Values that don't match either format are displayed as plain text without a hyperlink.
Setup
Install the extension into your Azure DevOps organisation.
Navigate to Project settings → Boards → Process.
Open the work item type you want to customise.
On the Layout tab, add a "custom control" and select URL Field as the control type.
Specify the "Value field" that stores the underlying value.
Save — the control is now active on that field.
Notes
The control reads and writes the underlying text field value directly; no extra storage or permissions are required beyond the standard vso.work_write scope.
Links always open in a new tab with rel="noopener noreferrer" for security.
Only http://, https://, and mailto: schemes are rendered as links; all other values are shown as plain text.
