Mantis Bug Tracker (MantisBT): Complete Guide

What is MantisBT (Mantis Bug Tracker)?

MantisBT is an open-source bug and issue tracking system designed to help software teams identify, manage, and resolve defects efficiently. Unlike generic project management tools, MantisBT focuses specifically on the bug lifecycle, allowing teams to submit, track, and prioritize issues from discovery to resolution.

Key aspects of MantisBT include role-based access control, email notifications, customizable workflows, and integration options with version control systems. Its simplicity and flexibility make it suitable for both small teams needing lightweight tracking and larger organizations requiring scalable issue management.

Why Use MantisBT?

Choosing the right bug tracker can significantly impact a team’s efficiency and product quality. MantisBT provides a focused solution for managing software defects while ensuring collaboration, transparency, and traceability throughout the development lifecycle. Its flexibility allows teams to adapt the tool to their processes rather than changing their workflow to fit the software.

Below are the key reasons teams rely on MantisBT:

• Centralized Issue Management: All bug reports and feature requests are stored in a single location, reducing the risk of lost or duplicated issues and enabling better prioritization.
• Customizable Workflows: Teams can tailor statuses, priorities, and transitions to match their development process, ensuring that every issue moves through an appropriate lifecycle.
• Role-Based Access Control: Permissions can be assigned based on user roles, allowing developers, testers, and managers to access only relevant data while maintaining security and accountability.
• Email Notifications and Alerts: Stakeholders receive automated updates when issues are reported, resolved, or updated, helping maintain real-time awareness without manual follow-ups.
• Integration Capabilities: MantisBT can connect with version control systems, CI/CD pipelines, and other project tools, enabling seamless tracking of code changes alongside reported issues.
• Scalability for Teams: From small development teams to large enterprises, MantisBT can handle increasing issue volumes without compromising performance or usability.

Core Features of MantisBT

MantisBT offers a robust set of features designed to streamline bug tracking, enhance team collaboration, and improve overall software quality. Understanding these core features helps teams leverage the tool effectively and adapt it to their specific workflows.

• Issue Submission and Tracking: Users can report bugs with detailed descriptions, attachments, and reproducible steps. Each issue is assigned a unique ID, making it easy to track its status, priority, and history throughout the lifecycle.
• Custom Fields and Filters: Teams can define custom fields to capture project-specific information and create filters to sort issues by severity, module, or assignee, allowing for more precise tracking and reporting.
• Workflow Management: MantisBT supports configurable workflows that define the stages an issue moves through. Teams can set rules for status transitions, enforce mandatory fields, and trigger notifications at critical points.
• Notifications and Alerts: Built-in email notifications ensure stakeholders are informed about changes, updates, or resolutions without constant manual checks, reducing the risk of overlooked issues.
• Access Control and Permissions: Fine-grained access control enables administrators to assign roles with specific permissions, ensuring that sensitive information is protected while enabling efficient collaboration.
• Reporting and Analytics: MantisBT provides various reports and charts that offer insights into issue trends, team performance, and project health. This data supports informed decision-making and resource planning.
• Plugin and Integration Support: MantisBT can integrate with version control systems, CI/CD pipelines, and third-party tools, enabling a connected workflow where code changes, testing, and bug tracking are seamlessly aligned.

System Requirements & Installation of MantisBT

Before installing MantisBT, it is important to ensure that the server environment meets its requirements. MantisBT is designed to run on standard web servers and supports common databases, making it compatible with most development setups.

System Requirements:

• Web Server: Apache, Nginx, or IIS
• Database: MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL
• PHP Version: 7.4 or higher, with extensions for MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQL, XML, and JSON
• Operating System: Linux, Windows, or macOS

Installation Steps:

Step 1: Download MantisBT

Visit the official MantisBT website and download the latest stable version of the software.

Step 2: Extract Files‍

Unzip the downloaded package and move the contents to the web server’s document root or a designated directory.

Step 3: Create Database‍

Set up a database and a user with appropriate permissions. Note the database name, username, and password for the installation process.

Step 4: Configure Web Server‍

Ensure the web server is configured to support PHP and the chosen database. Update permissions for the MantisBT directory if needed.

Step 5: Run the Installer‍

Open a browser and navigate to the MantisBT installation URL. Follow the on-screen instructions, providing database credentials and admin user details.

Step 6: Finalize Installation‍

After completion, remove the installer directory as instructed for security. Verify that MantisBT is accessible and functioning correctly.

How to Use MantisBT Effectively

MantisBT’s true value comes from using it in a structured and consistent manner. Teams that adopt clear processes for reporting, prioritizing, and resolving issues can maximize efficiency and reduce the overhead of bug management.

Step 1: Define Issue Submission Standards‍

Ensure all team members follow a standardized format for reporting bugs. Include clear titles, detailed descriptions, reproducible steps, expected versus actual behavior, severity, and attachments such as screenshots or logs. This reduces ambiguity and accelerates resolution.

Step 2: Categorize and Prioritize Issues‍

Use categories, custom fields, and priorities to organize issues. Assign severity levels, modules, or milestones so that developers can focus on high-impact problems first. Effective categorization also aids reporting and trend analysis.

Step 3: Assign Roles and Responsibilities‍

Designate users for roles such as reporter, handler, and reviewer. Assigning ownership ensures accountability and clear communication throughout the issue lifecycle.

Step 4: Track Progress Through Workflows‍

Leverage MantisBT’s workflow management to monitor each issue from submission to resolution. Update statuses consistently, add notes when necessary, and ensure all steps are documented for auditability and historical context.

Step 5: Use Notifications Strategically‍

Configure email notifications for critical events, such as issue assignment or resolution. Avoid excessive alerts by tailoring notification settings to the team’s needs. This keeps stakeholders informed without creating noise.

Step 6: Regularly Review Reports and Metrics‍

Analyze MantisBT reports and charts to identify bottlenecks, recurring issues, and team performance trends. Use this data to improve testing processes, development practices, and prioritization strategies.

To make bug reporting faster and richer, teams can complement MantisBT with BrowserStack Bug Capture, which allows recording screens, capturing logs, and sending contextual bug reports directly into the tracker. This reduces the time developers spend reproducing issues and ensures higher-quality bug data.

Customising & Extending MantisBT

MantisBT is highly adaptable, allowing teams to tailor the platform to fit their specific workflows and project requirements. Customization and extensions can improve usability, streamline reporting, and integrate the tracker more closely with other tools.

Customizing MantisBT

• Workflow Adjustments: Modify issue statuses, resolutions, and transitions to match the team’s development lifecycle. This ensures that each issue moves through appropriate stages consistently.
• Custom Fields: Create project-specific fields to capture information beyond the default options, such as environment details, client-specific data, or QA metrics.
• User Interface Options: Adjust layouts, dashboards, and summary pages to display the most relevant information for different roles, enhancing usability and focus.
• Access and Permission Settings: Fine-tune role-based access to control who can view, edit, or manage issues, ensuring sensitive information is protected while enabling collaboration.

Extending MantisBT

• Plugins and Integrations: Install plugins to add functionalities like time tracking, reporting enhancements, or integrations with version control systems and CI/CD tools.
• APIs for Automation: Use MantisBT’s REST API to automate workflows, synchronize issues with other tools, or generate custom reports programmatically.
• Email and Notification Extensions: Enhance alert capabilities with custom email templates, conditional notifications, or integration with team communication platforms like Slack.

Challenges and Limitations of MantisBT

While MantisBT is a powerful issue tracker, some limitations can impact efficiency if not addressed properly. One common challenge is that testers often manually reproduce and document bugs, which can be time-consuming and prone to missing crucial context like browser state or network logs. 

Teams relying solely on textual descriptions may spend extra effort clarifying or reproducing issues.

Other limitations include:

• Basic Reporting Features: MantisBT offers standard reports, but advanced analytics or visual dashboards often require plugins or external tools.
• Limited Native Visual Bug Capture: Screenshots or detailed UI context are not automatically captured, which can slow down debugging for UI-heavy applications.
• Scalability Concerns: For very large teams or projects with thousands of issues, performance may degrade unless optimized properly.
• Plugin Dependence for Advanced Features: Many desired functionalities, such as time tracking or sophisticated notifications, require third-party plugins, adding setup and maintenance overhead.

To address these gaps, teams can use BrowserStack Bug Capture alongside MantisBT. It allows QA teams to record screens, capture console and network logs, and send richer, contextual bug reports directly into the tracker. This reduces time spent reproducing issues and ensures developers receive actionable, high-quality bug information.

Best Practices & Governance for Using MantisBT

Implementing MantisBT effectively requires consistent processes and governance to maintain data quality, team accountability, and efficient workflows. Following best practices ensures the tracker remains a valuable asset rather than a source of bottlenecks.

• Standardize Bug Reporting: Define a clear template for issue submission, including title, description, steps to reproduce, severity, and attachments. Consistency reduces misunderstandings and accelerates resolution.
• Regularly Review and Prioritize Issues: Schedule periodic triage sessions to assess new and existing issues, adjust priorities, and reassign responsibilities as needed. This keeps the backlog manageable and focused on high-impact problems.
• Maintain Role-Based Permissions: Ensure users have appropriate access according to their role. Restrict administrative privileges to reduce accidental changes while enabling developers and testers to collaborate effectively.
• Leverage Custom Workflows: Align MantisBT workflows with the team’s development process. Clearly define status transitions, approvals, and resolution steps to reduce ambiguity and improve accountability.
• Monitor Reports and Metrics: Use built-in reports, charts, and dashboards to track trends, identify recurring issues, and evaluate team performance. Insights from data support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Conclusion

MantisBT is a versatile and lightweight bug tracking solution that helps teams streamline issue management, improve collaboration, and maintain software quality. Its customizable workflows, role-based access, and reporting capabilities make it suitable for projects of any size, ensuring bugs are tracked efficiently from discovery to resolution.

To further enhance bug reporting and reduce the time spent reproducing issues, teams can integrate BrowserStack Bug Capture with MantisBT. This tool allows QA teams to record screens, capture console and network logs, and submit detailed, contextual bug reports directly into the tracker.