How to Use Linear

Getting started with Linear

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up your Linear account and create your first issue tracker. By the end, you'll be able to manage your software projects efficiently using keyboard shortcuts and AI features.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to linear.app.
2. Click on the Get started button on the homepage.
3. Choose to sign up with your email or use an existing Google account.
4. Once signed up, you'll land on the dashboard. Click on Create a new team to set up your project space.
5. Enter your team name and select your workspace preferences. You can start with the free tier, which allows up to 250 issues.

Step 2: Your first issue

1. From the dashboard, press C on your keyboard to open the create issue panel.
2. Fill in the title and description of your issue. You can also assign it to a team member by typing their name in the assignee field.
3. Set the priority by clicking on the Priority dropdown and selecting the appropriate level.
4. To add labels, press L and select or create new labels as needed.
5. Once complete, hit Enter to save the issue.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use Cmd/Ctrl + K to quickly search for issues, projects, or team members.
2. To triage issues using AI, click on the AI button in the top right corner of the issue detail view. This will suggest duplicates and provide summaries.
3. Regularly review and update issues by using the Tab key to navigate between fields and Enter to confirm changes.

Pro tip

Familiarise yourself with keyboard shortcuts by pressing ? at any time. This will display a list of commands, helping you work faster without having to click around.

Common mistake to avoid

Many users forget to set issue priorities and labels, which can lead to confusion later. Always make sure to categorise your issues when creating them to maintain clarity across your projects.