mcp-server-linear

Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with the Linear API. This server provides tools and resources for accessing and manipulating Linear issues, projects, and other data through a standardized MCP interface.

Overview

The mcp-server-linear project serves as a bridge between client applications (particularly AI assistants and other tools) and Linear, providing a standardized interface for accessing and manipulating Linear resources.

Key features:

• Standardized access to Linear resources (issues, projects, initiatives, teams)

• Full CRUD operations for issues and comments

• Advanced issue filtering and search capabilities

• Consistent error handling and response formats

• Integration with AI assistants through MCP protocol

Configuration

Linear API Authentication

This server supports two authentication methods:

Option 1: API Key Authentication

You can set up the LINEAR_API_KEY environment variable:

1. Go to Linear Settings > API

2. Under "Personal API keys", click "Create key"

3. Give your key a name (e.g., "MCP Server")

4. Copy the generated API key

5. Set the environment variable when running the server

Option 2: OAuth Authentication

Alternatively, you can use OAuth authentication by setting the following environment variables:

1. Create an OAuth application at Linear Settings > API > Applications

2. Configure your application and obtain the client ID and client secret

3. Set the following environment variables:

LINEAR_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID=your_oauth_client_id
LINEAR_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET=your_oauth_client_secret

If both authentication methods are configured, OAuth authentication will be prioritized.

Alternatively, you can set the environment variables in your shell profile or use a tool like dotenv.

Usage

Starting the Server

You can run the MCP server directly using npx without installing it globally:

LINEAR_API_KEY=your_api_key_here npx -y @mkusaka/mcp-server-linear

Integration with MCP Clients

This MCP server can be integrated with various AI assistants and MCP-compatible clients:

Anthropic Claude Integration

You can use this MCP server with Anthropic Claude through various clients:

Cline (VS Code Extension)

Cline is a VS Code extension that allows you to use MCP servers with Claude AI:

1. Open your Cline MCP settings file:

   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json

   • Windows: %APPDATA%/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json

   • Linux: ~/.config/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json

2. Add the Linear MCP server configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@mkusaka/mcp-server-linear"],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "your_linear_api_key"
        // or when using OAuth authentication
        // "LINEAR_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID": "your_oauth_client_id",
        // "LINEAR_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_oauth_client_secret"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add the following to your Cursor configuration file (~/.cursor/config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@mkusaka/mcp-server-linear"],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "your_linear_api_key"
        // or when using OAuth authentication
        // "LINEAR_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID": "your_oauth_client_id",
        // "LINEAR_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_oauth_client_secret"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

Available Tools

This MCP server provides the following tools:

Issue Management

• create_issue - Create a new issue in Linear

• update_issue - Update an existing issue

• delete_issue - Delete an existing issue

• update_issue_labels - Update the labels of an issue

• update_issue_priority - Update the priority of an issue

• update_issue_estimate - Update the estimate of an issue

• update_issue_state - Update the state of an issue

• search_issues - Search for issues with advanced filtering options

Comment Management

• create_comment - Create a new comment on an issue

• update_comment - Update an existing comment

• delete_comment - Delete an existing comment

• get_issue_comments - Get comments for a specific issue

Resource Access

• projects - Get all projects in Linear

• project - Get a single project by ID

• issue - Get a single issue by ID

• project_statuses - Get all project statuses

• project_issues - Get all issues in a project

• issue_labels - Get all issue labels

• issue_states - Get all available issue states

• get_viewer - Get current user information including teams

• update_project_state - Update the state of a project

Architecture

This server follows the Model Context Protocol (MCP) architecture to provide a standardized way to access Linear resources. Key architectural decisions include:

1. Resource Organization: Resources are organized by domain in separate files

2. Error Handling: Consistent error handling across all resources

3. Response Format: Consistent JSON response format

For more detailed information about the architecture, see adr.md.

Development

# Run tests
pnpm test

# Build the project
pnpm run build

# Watch for changes
pnpm run watch

# Run with inspector
pnpm run debug

For development and testing, you can use the MCP Inspector to interact with the server:

# Install the MCP Inspector globally
pnpm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/inspector

# Run the server with the inspector
LINEAR_API_KEY=your_api_key_here mcp-inspector /path/to/mcp-server-linear/dist/index.js

# Or using npx
LINEAR_API_KEY=your_api_key_here npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector @mkusaka/mcp-server-linear

Command Line Options

# Enable logging (logs to linear-mcp.log by default)
pnpm run start -- --debug

# Enable logging with custom log file path
pnpm run start -- --debug --log-file custom-path.log

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! See adr.md for architecture decisions and project structure.

License

MIT