home / mcp / linear mcp server

Linear MCP Server

A server that integrates Linear's project management system with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to allow LLMs to interact with Linear.

Installation

Add the following to your MCP client configuration file.

Configuration

View docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jerhadf-linear-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "linear-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "YOUR_LINEAR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

You can connect Claude Desktop to Linear’s issue tracking through an MCP server, letting you create, update, search, and summarize Linear issues via natural language prompts. This server runs locally and securely uses your Linear API key to perform actions on your behalf.

How to use

Use the Linear MCP server to manage issues directly from your conversational prompts. You can create new issues, update existing ones, search for issues with flexible filters, fetch issues assigned to specific users, and add comments to issues. For example, you can ask to create a high-priority bug, fetch all in-progress frontend tasks, or see recent updates on a set of issues. The server exposes dedicated endpoints you call indirectly through your MCP client, and it authenticates with your Linear API key to perform actions in your Linear workspace.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before installation: Node.js and npm (or a compatible Node environment) to run the MCP server locally. You should also have a Linear API key ready for your team.

# Automatic installation via Smithery (CLI will manage the MCP server for Claude Desktop)
npx @smithery/cli install linear-mcp-server --client claude

Manual installation

If you prefer to configure Claude Desktop to run the MCP server locally, follow these steps.

1. Create or obtain a Linear API key for your team at Linear. This key is used to authenticate requests to Linear.

2. Add the MCP server configuration to Claude Desktop. On macOS, place the configuration at the following path: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "linear-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "your_linear_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Available tools

linear_create_issue

Create a new Linear issue with a title and team. You can also provide an optional description, priority, and initial status.

linear_update_issue

Update an existing Linear issue by id, including title, description, priority, and status.

linear_search_issues

Query issues with flexible filters such as query text, team, status, assignee, labels, priority, and result limit.

linear_get_user_issues

Retrieve issues assigned to a specific user with optional filtering for archived items and a result limit.

linear_add_comment

Add a markdown-supported comment to a specific issue with optional author and avatar customization.