Linear Integration Setup

Set up Linear MCP and optionally Beads for git-backed issue tracking.

Time estimate: 2-3 minutes

What You'll Get

•Linear MCP: I can read/create Linear issues directly
•Beads (optional): Git-backed issue tracking that syncs with Linear

Ask: "Do you use Linear for issue tracking?"

If no: "No problem! Skip this one."

Step 1: Add Linear MCP

Say: "Linear's MCP uses browser OAuth - no API keys needed!"

bash

claude mcp add --transport http linear https://mcp.linear.app/mcp --scope user

Step 2: Verify

bash

claude mcp list

Ask: "Do you see Linear in the list?"

Step 3: Authenticate

Say: "Now we need to authenticate. Type /mcp in Claude Code."

Say: "Select Linear and complete the browser login."

Ask: "Did the authentication complete? Linear should show as connected."

Step 4: Test It

Say: "Let's test! Ask me something like:"

•"Show me my Linear issues"
•"What's assigned to me in Linear?"

Ask: "Can you see your issues?"

Optional: Beads (Git-Backed Issues)

Say: "Beads lets you track issues locally in git and sync with Linear. Want to set it up?"

If yes, continue:

Install Beads

bash

brew install steveyegge/beads/bd

Or with Go:

bash

go install github.com/steveyegge/beads/cmd/bd@latest

Initialize in a Project

bash

cd your-project
bd init

Configure Linear Sync

Say: "For Linear sync, you need an API key. Get one from:"

code

Linear → Settings → API → Personal API keys → Create key

Then:

bash

bd config set linear.api_key "lin_api_YOUR_KEY"
bd config set linear.team_id "YOUR_TEAM_UUID"

Test Sync

bash

bd linear status
bd linear sync --pull --dry-run

Success!

Say: "You're set up! Here's what you can do:"

With Linear MCP:

•"Show my Linear issues"
•"Create a Linear issue: Fix the login bug"
•"What's the status of TEAM-123?"

With Beads:

bash

bd list              # List local issues
bd create "Title"    # Create issue
bd linear sync       # Sync with Linear

Troubleshooting

MCP not showing Linear?

bash

claude mcp list

If not there, add it again:

bash

claude mcp add --transport http linear https://mcp.linear.app/mcp --scope user

Authentication failed?

Try removing and re-adding:

bash

claude mcp remove linear
claude mcp add --transport http linear https://mcp.linear.app/mcp --scope user

Then /mcp to authenticate again.