Clone or copy a Jira server project
Symptoms
You want to clone or copy an entire JIRA project, but there is no core functionality to offer this.
Cause
JIRA does not have the core functionality to copy entire projects and third party plugins are not currently supported.
Workaround
This workaround is based on a third party application. Atlassian cannot be held responsible for or provide support for any issues resulting in the use of third party applications.
Here is a link to JIRA Command Line Interface, a product of Bob Swift (an Atlassian recognized developer).
JCLI (JIRA Command Line Interface) is an application run on your local machine that allows for automation of JIRA and inclusion of JIRA content as part of other automation.
After installing JCLI you'll find the cloneProject action to be a straightforward function.