Linear MCP Server

What does “Linear” MCP Server do?

The Linear MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed to integrate Linear’s project management system with AI assistants and large language models (LLMs). By acting as a bridge between the Linear API and AI clients, it enables seamless management of Linear issues directly through conversational AI interfaces. Developers and teams can leverage this server to automate and streamline workflows involving tasks like creating, updating, searching, and commenting on issues within Linear. The server exposes tools and resources, allowing LLMs to perform project management operations programmatically—facilitating enhanced productivity, better team collaboration, and efficient task tracking through standardized MCP interactions.

List of Prompts

• No reusable prompt templates are described in the repository.
  (Prompts here refer to reusable prompt templates defined for clients—not end user examples. This section is empty as there is no mention of such templates.)

List of Resources

• linear-issue:///{issueId}
  View individual issue details by referencing a specific Linear issue ID.
• linear-team:///{teamId}/issues
  Access all issues associated with a particular team in Linear.
• linear-user:///{userId}/assigned
  Retrieve all issues currently assigned to a given user.
• linear-organization:
  View general information about the organization within Linear.
• linear-viewer:
  Access the current user’s context in Linear.

List of Tools

• linear_create_issue
  Create a new Linear issue with customizable title, description, priority, status, and team assignment.
• linear_update_issue
  Update an existing Linear issue’s fields such as title, description, priority, or status.
• linear_search_issues
  Search for Linear issues using flexible filters like text query, team, status, assignee, labels, and priority.
• linear_get_user_issues
  Retrieve issues assigned to a specified user, with options for archived status and result limits.
• linear_add_comment
  Add a comment to a Linear issue, with support for custom usernames and avatar URLs.

Use Cases of this MCP Server

• Automated Issue Creation and Management
  Developers can use LLMs to create, update, or comment on Linear issues hands-free, streamlining the reporting and tracking process.
• Team Task Overview and Assignment
  AI assistants can quickly retrieve all issues for a team or user, making stand-ups and sprint planning more efficient.
• Advanced Issue Search and Filtering
  Instantly find issues matching specific criteria (e.g., priority, status, labels) through conversational queries.
• Personal Workload Monitoring
  Team members can use LLMs to list their assigned issues, track status changes, and prioritize work.
• Automated Status Updates and Comments
  LLMs can post updates or clarification requests on Linear issues, improving project communication and transparency.

How to set it up

Windsurf

1. Ensure Node.js is installed on your system.
2. Obtain a Linear API key from your team’s Linear settings.
3. Locate your Windsurf configuration file (typically windsurf_config.json).
4. Add the Linear MCP server entry to the mcpServers object:

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

5. Save the file and restart Windsurf.
6. Verify that the MCP server is running and accessible.

Claude

1. Obtain your Linear API key from https://linear.app/YOUR-TEAM/settings/api.
2. On MacOS, edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json.
3. Insert or update the following snippet:

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

4. Save and restart Claude Desktop.
5. Confirm setup via the Claude interface.

Cursor

1. Make sure Node.js is installed and get your Linear API key.
2. Find Cursor’s configuration file (e.g., cursor_config.json).
3. Add the Linear MCP server configuration as shown:

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

4. Save changes and restart Cursor.
5. Ensure the server is listed and active.

Cline

1. Install Node.js and secure your Linear API key.
2. Edit Cline’s configuration file (e.g., cline_config.json).
3. Add this MCP server block:

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

4. Save and restart Cline.
5. Check that the Linear MCP server is operational.

Securing API Keys
Always use environment variables for sensitive data such as API keys. Example configuration:

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

Set the environment variable LINEAR_API_KEY in your operating system or deployment environment.

How to use this MCP inside flows

Using MCP in FlowHunt

To integrate MCP servers into your FlowHunt workflow, start by adding the MCP component to your flow and connecting it to your AI agent:

Click on the MCP component to open the configuration panel. In the system MCP configuration section, insert your MCP server details using this JSON format:

{
  "linear": {
    "transport": "streamable_http",
    "url": "https://yourmcpserver.example/pathtothemcp/url"
  }
}

Once configured, the AI agent is now able to use this MCP as a tool with access to all its functions and capabilities. Remember to change “linear” to whatever the actual name of your MCP server is and replace the URL with your own MCP server URL.

Overview

Roots support: ⛔ (No mention in repo)

Based on the tables above, the Linear MCP Server offers strong integration for Linear project management tasks, exposes clear tools and resources, and provides solid setup documentation. However, it lacks reusable prompt templates and does not mention Roots or sampling support. Overall, it scores well for standard MCP tasks but is missing some advanced features.

MCP Score