Linear MCP Server

Robust, production tested MCP Server for linear (API)

Local serverstdioTypeScript

What is the Linear MCP server?

If you already use Linear, the linear mcp server is the piece that lets your assistant work with it directly. Robust, production tested MCP Server for linear (API).

What the server does

Model Context Protocol server implementation for Linear issue tracking and project management. This server is used to create, update, and manage issues, cycles, projects, and other Linear resources.

  • MCP-compliant server using official SDK
  • Seamless integration with Linear API
  • Type-safe implementation with TypeScript and Zod schemas
  • Comprehensive issue management and tracking
  • User, team, and project management
  • Cycle and workflow state handling

Available tools

The toolset is worth reading before you wire it up, because it tells you what the integration is really for:

  • Inputs — - id (string): ID of the issue to fetch
  • Returns — Issue details including title, description, status, and assignee information
  • list_issue_comments — List comments for a specific issue
  • create_comment — Create a new comment on an issue
  • execute_pipeline — Execute a pipeline of Linear operations
  • Input — - steps (array): Array of pipeline steps, each with:
  • Comments — The Comments tool exposed by this server
  • Cycles — The Cycles tool exposed by this server
  • Projects — The Projects tool exposed by this server
  • Labels — The Labels tool exposed by this server

Credentials and setup notes

Configuration is passed through the environment: LINEAR_API_KEY, YOUR_LINEAR_API_KEY. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.

Installation

Setup follows the usual MCP pattern — install or clone the server, register it in your client's configuration file, restart the client. The configuration blocks on this page cover the common clients.

Where it fits

This sits in the planning and project tracking group, where several servers overlap in what they claim to do but differ sharply once you actually set them up. Linear's toolset — Inputs, Returns, list_issue_comments and 7 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by kablewy; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Linear's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Worth knowing first

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 10 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Linear.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
Inputs- id (string): ID of the issue to fetch
ReturnsIssue details including title, description, status, and assignee information
list_issue_commentsList comments for a specific issue
create_commentCreate a new comment on an issue
execute_pipelineExecute a pipeline of Linear operations
Input- steps (array): Array of pipeline steps, each with:
CommentsThe Comments tool exposed by this server.
CyclesThe Cycles tool exposed by this server.
ProjectsThe Projects tool exposed by this server.
LabelsThe Labels tool exposed by this server.

How to install the Linear MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "path/to/linear-mcp-server/build/index.js"
      ],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "<YOUR_LINEAR_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
LINEAR_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
YOUR_LINEAR_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use Linear to Inputs.
  • Use Linear to Returns.
  • Use Linear to list issue comments.

Frequently asked questions

It acts as a bridge between MCP‑compatible AI assistants and the Linear project management API, allowing the assistant to perform operations like creating issues, listing teams, managing cycles, and executing pipelines.