CLI tool for Linear.app optimized for AI agents. JSON output, smart ID resolution, token-efficient usage commands, and a discover-then-act workflow that keeps agent context small. Works just as well for humans who prefer structured data on the command line.
The official Linear MCP works fine, but it eats up ~13k tokens just by being connected -- before the agent does anything. Linearis takes a different approach: instead of exposing the full API surface upfront, agents discover what they need through a two-tier usage system. linearis usage gives an overview in ~200 tokens, then linearis <domain> usage provides the full reference for one area in ~300-500 tokens. A typical agent interaction costs ~500-700 tokens of context, not ~13k.
The trade-off is coverage. An MCP exposes the entire Linear API; Linearis covers the operations that matter for day-to-day work with issues, discussions, cycles, documents, and files. If you need to manage custom workflows, integrations, or workspace settings, the MCP is the better choice.
npm install -g linearislinearis is the canonical documented command; linear is a fully supported alias that runs the same CLI.
Requires Node.js >= 22.
linearis auth loginThis opens Linear in your browser, guides you through creating an API key, and stores the token encrypted in ~/.linearis/token.
Alternatively, provide a token directly:
# Via CLI flag
linearis --api-token <token> issues list
# Via environment variable
LINEAR_API_TOKEN=<token> linearis issues listToken resolution order: --api-token flag > LINEAR_API_TOKEN env > ~/.linearis/token > ~/.linear_api_token (deprecated).
All output is JSON. Pipe through jq or similar for formatting.
# Discovery
linearis usage # overview of all domains
linearis issues usage # detailed usage for one domain# Discover available commands
linearis usage
# Drill into a domain
linearis issues usage
# List recent issues
linearis issues list --limit 10
# Search for issues
linearis issues search "authentication bug"
# Create an issue
linearis issues create "Fix login flow" --team Platform --priority 2
# Start a discussion thread on an issue
linearis issues discuss ENG-42 --body "Investigating this now"
# List root discussion threads for an issue
linearis issues discussions ENG-42
# List replies in one root thread
linearis issues replies 6f4f28cd-4f53-4d76-ae95-80f1b6f6b87e
# Reply to a thread (use a root discussion thread ID)
linearis issues reply 6f4f28cd-4f53-4d76-ae95-80f1b6f6b87e --body "I found the root cause"For the full reference of every command and flag, run:
linearis <domain> usageThe comments domain remains available as a deprecated compatibility facade. For new automation and agent prompts, migrate to issue discussion commands in the issues domain:
| Deprecated | Preferred |
|---|---|
linearis comments create <issue> --body <text> |
linearis issues discuss <issue> --body <text> |
linearis comments list <issue> |
linearis issues discussions <issue> |
linearis comments reply <thread> --body <text> |
linearis issues reply <thread> --body <text> |
linearis comments edit <reply> --body <text> |
linearis issues edit-reply <reply> --body <text> |
linearis comments delete <reply> |
linearis issues delete-reply <reply> |
Notes:
issues discussions <issue>lists root threads.- Use
issues replies <thread>to fetch replies in one thread, including nested replies. - Replying requires a root discussion thread ID (not a reply ID).
- Compatibility
comments edit/deleteaccepts root thread IDs and reply IDs.
The CLI is structured around a discover-then-act pattern that matches how agents work:
- Discover --
linearis usagereturns a compact overview of all domains (~200 tokens). The agent reads this once to understand what's available. - Drill down --
linearis <domain> usagegives the full command reference for one domain (~300-500 tokens). The agent only loads what it needs. - Execute -- All commands return structured JSON. No parsing of human-readable tables or prose.
This means the agent never loads the full API surface into context. It pays for what it uses, one domain at a time.
| Linearis | Linear MCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Context cost | ~500-700 tokens per interaction | ~13k tokens on connect |
| Coverage | Common operations (issues, discussions, cycles, docs, files) | Full Linear API |
| Output | JSON via stdout | Tool call responses |
| Setup | npm install -g linearis + bash tool |
MCP server connection |
Use Linearis when token efficiency matters and you work primarily with issues and related data. Use the MCP when you need full API coverage or tight tool-call integration.
## Linear (project management)
Tool: `linearis` CLI via Bash. All output is JSON.
Discovery: Run `linearis usage` once to see available domains. Run `linearis <domain> usage` for full command reference of a specific domain. Do NOT guess flags or subcommands -- check usage first.
Ticket format: "ABC-123". Always reference tickets by their identifier.
Workflow rules:
- When creating a ticket, ask the user which project to assign it to if unclear.
- For subtasks, inherit the parent ticket's project by default.
- When a task in a ticket description changes status, update the description.
- For progress beyond simple checkbox changes, start or reply in a discussion thread instead of editing the description.
File handling: `issues read` returns an `embeds` array with signed download URLs and expiration timestamps. Use `files download` to retrieve them. Use `files upload` to attach new files, then reference the returned URL in discussions or descriptions.Add this (or a version adapted to your workflow) to your AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md so every agent session has it in context automatically.
Linearis uses three CI/release workflows:
ci.ymlfor required pull request checksci-post-merge.ymlfor post-merge sentinel validation onmain/nextpushesrelease-check.ymlfor push-driven and manual releases
For the authoritative trigger matrix, required checks, and operational verification commands, see docs/ci-run-model.md (source of truth).
CHANGELOG.md is automation-owned and must not be edited in pull requests. If a pull request branch contains CHANGELOG.md changes anywhere in main...HEAD history, CI fails and posts rebase instructions.
Want to contribute? See CONTRIBUTING.md.
Carlo Zottmann -- c.zottmann.dev | github.com/czottmann
Carlo created Linearis and drove its early development. As interest in the project grew, he handed maintenance over to Fabian Jocks (in/fabianjocks).
This project is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Linear.
Carlo doesn't accept sponsoring in the "GitHub sponsorship" sense1 but next to his own apps, he also sells "Tokens of Appreciation". Any support is appreciated!
Tip
Carlo makes Shortcuts-related macOS & iOS productivity apps like Actions For Obsidian, Browser Actions (which adds Shortcuts support for several major browsers), and BarCuts (a surprisingly useful contextual Shortcuts launcher). Check them out!
Made with contrib.rocks.
MIT. See LICENSE.md.
Footnotes
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Apparently, the German revenue service is still having some fits over "money for nothing??". ↩