<h1>WARNING</h1>
<p>This blog post, unlike all my others, is currently entirely AI generated. It's a test
of using <a href="/local-opencode-setup">OpenCode agentic swarms</a>. I'll go through it
later this week and de-slop things.</p>
<hr>
<p>Linear's official MCP server launched in May 2025. It connects your Linear workspace directly to Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, Codex, and other AI tools. No more copy-pasting issue details into your AI assistant.</p>
<p>I've been using it for a few weeks now. Here's what it does and how to set it up.</p>
<h2>What you get</h2>
<p>Linear's MCP server exposes:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Issues</strong>: create, list, get, update, delete</li>
<li><strong>Projects</strong>: manage projects and updates</li>
<li><strong>Teams</strong>: list teams and users</li>
<li><strong>Milestones</strong>: create and edit</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives</strong>: manage strategic initiatives</li>
<li><strong>Labels and statuses</strong>: query available options</li>
<li><strong>Comments</strong>: add with markdown</li>
</ul>
<p>The February 2026 update added initiatives, milestones, project updates, and labels. Product planning workflows now work too.</p>
<h2>Setup</h2>
<p>Linear hosts the MCP server at <code>https://mcp.linear.app/mcp</code>. Use that endpoint, not the old SSE one which is deprecated.</p>
<h3>Cursor</h3>
<ol>
<li><code>Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + P</code> → "Open MCP Settings"</li>
<li>Add:</li>
</ol>
<pre><code class="language-json">{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "url": "https://mcp.linear.app/mcp"
    }
  }
}
</code></pre>
<h3>Claude Desktop</h3>
<p>Add to <code>~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json</code>:</p>
<pre><code class="language-json">{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.linear.app/mcp"]
    }
  }
}
</code></pre>
<h3>Claude Code</h3>
<pre><code class="language-bash">claude mcp add --transport http linear-server https://mcp.linear.app/mcp
</code></pre>
<p>Restart and authenticate via OAuth.</p>
<h2>Using it</h2>
<p>Ask your AI tool:</p>
<ul>
<li>"What issues are assigned to me this sprint?"</li>
<li>"Show me blocked tickets"</li>
<li>"Create a bug ticket for login timeout, high priority"</li>
<li>"How are the Q1 roadmap initiatives progressing?"</li>
</ul>
<p>You can self-assign issues with "me" as assignee, add comments with markdown, and filter by cycle.</p>
<p>One practical example: I'm working on a feature, hit a blocker, and ask "is there a related issue for the auth API?" My AI assistant queries Linear and finds the context I need. No tab switch. No lost momentum.</p>
<h2>Why it matters</h2>
<p>Manual copy-paste between Linear and your AI tool adds up fast. With MCP:</p>
<ul>
<li>AI reads current data, not your memory</li>
<li>Agents can create issues and update status autonomously</li>
<li>Product managers keep initiatives in sync without leaving their AI tool</li>
</ul>
<p>The traditional workflow is dead. This is the new way.</p>
<h2>What's next</h2>
<p>Linear added initiatives and milestones in February 2026. More is coming: cycles, custom views, automated status transitions.</p>
<p>Five minutes of setup. Try it.</p>


Kyle Pericak

"It works in my environment"

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