AI Orchestrator for Linear Project Tracking (Linear-MCP-Server)

This implementation serves as a high-fidelity bridge, leveraging the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to grant intelligent agents granular, programmatic access to the Linear project management ecosystem.

Core Capabilities

This server exposes a robust set of functionalities mirroring Linear's capabilities through the AI's execution context:

• GraphQL Abstraction: Direct, secure conduit to Linear's GraphQL API via MCP tooling.
• Credential Handling: Secure authorization using a dedicated Linear API access token.
• Data Manipulation: Capabilities to fetch, create, modify records pertaining to users, organizational units (teams), initiatives (projects), and individual tasks (issues).
• Issue Lifecycle Management: Full control over issue creation, status transitions, textual updates, and conversational threading (comments).
• Categorization: Ability to apply or remove tagging structures (labels) on work items.
• Initiative Setup: Functionality to bootstrap new project containers.
• Tool Definition: Self-documenting tool manifests detailing all accessible operations.

Deployment Guide

Method 1: Automated Deployment via Smithery (Recommended)

For streamlined integration within compatible AI environments (e.g., Claude Desktop):

npx -y @smithery/cli install @emmett.deen/linear-mcp-server --client claude

Method 2: Manual Configuration Snippet

Integrate the following configuration block into your primary MCP settings file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear_service": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@emmett.deen/linear-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "YOUR_SECURE_LINEAR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration File Locations:

• Claude Desktop: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Claude VSCode Extension: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json
• GoMCP: ~/.config/gomcp/config.yaml

Method 3: Source Checkout and Local Execution

For development or direct server execution:

1. Acquire Source: bash git clone https://github.com/yourusername/Linear-MCP-Server.git cd Linear-MCP-Server
2. Install Dependencies: bash npm install
3. Compile Assets: bash npm run build
4. Secure Token: Establish an environment file named .env containing your credential: LINEAR_API_KEY=your_linear_api_key_here
5. Launch Server: bash npm start

Tool Reference

Refer to the dedicated TOOLS.md file for the exhaustive schema of exposed functions and future roadmap items.

Operational Summary

Linear-MCP-Server facilitates AI-driven workflow automation by acting as a translation layer between the abstract AI commands and the concrete operations permissible via Linear's GraphQL interface. This enables the assistant to perform high-level actions such as:

• Querying the state of projects, issues, and team assignments.
• Initiating new work items with defined parameters.
• Modifying workflow progression (status changes).
• Facilitating team collaboration via direct commentary.
• Structuring new organizational units (projects/teams).

The architecture prioritizes simplicity, relying on bearer tokens rather than complex OAuth flows for initial authentication.

Initial Setup Requirements

Before launching the service:

• A functional Node.js runtime environment (version 18 or newer).
• A package manager (NPM or Yarn).
• A valid Linear API Personal API Key.

Installation Options

Install globally for system-wide accessibility:

# Global install
npm install -g @emmett.deen/linear-mcp-server

Or, for local project dependency:

# Clone and link locally
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/Linear-MCP-Server.git
cd Linear-MCP-Server
npm install
npm link

Running the Service

Execute the server process, providing the token either via argument or environment variable:

Using Command Line Argument:

linear-mcp-server --token YOUR_LINEAR_API_TOKEN

Using Environment Variable (Recommended for persistence):

export LINEAR_API_TOKEN=YOUR_LINEAR_API_TOKEN
linear-mcp-server

Integration with Claude Desktop

To enable the toolset within the desktop application:

1. Activate Developer Mode within Claude Desktop's main menu.
2. Navigate to Settings -> Developer Options.
3. Select the option to "Add Server".
4. Configure the server entry:
   • Identifier: Linear MCP Server
   • Transport Type: Local Process
   • Execution Path: linear-mcp-server
   • Parameters: --token YOUR_API_TOKEN_HERE

Alternative Configuration File Edit (Manual):

Modify your configuration JSON to include:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": [
      {
        "name": "Linear MCP Server",
        "transport": {
          "type": "stdio",
          "command": "linear-mcp-server",
          "args": ["--token", "YOUR_API_TOKEN_HERE"]
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Ensure you restart Claude Desktop completely to load the new configuration.

Example AI Interactions

Once the connection is live, the AI can execute commands such as:

• "Compile a summary list of all open tasks assigned to me within Linear."
• "Instantiate a new ticket, 'Resolve database connection failure,' under the 'Backend Services' initiative."
• "Advance task ID FE-123 to the 'Review Complete' stage."
• "Delegate ownership of task BE-456 to the user 'Jane Doe'."
• "Append the note, 'Dependency on API change confirmed for Friday delivery,' to issue UI-789."

Development Workflow

To modify or extend this project locally:

1. Source Acquisition: bash git clone https://github.com/yourusername/Linear-MCP-Server.git cd Linear-MCP-Server
2. Dependency Setup: bash npm install
3. Development Execution: bash npm run dev -- --token YOUR_DEV_API_TOKEN

Extending Functionality

To introduce new tools or modify existing ones:

1. Consult the specialized implementation guide located in ./TOOLS.md.
2. Adhere strictly to the architectural patterns established within the src/ directory.
3. Update the public documentation manifest accordingly.

Contribution Guidelines

Environment Initialization

1. Fork the repository and clone your fork locally.
2. Install all required runtime modules.
3. Execute the development launch script.

Publishing Updates

To deploy changes to the public npm registry:

1. Increment the package version number in package.json: bash npm version patch # or minor/major
2. Recompile the distributable code. bash npm run build
3. Ensure you are authenticated with npm. bash npm login
4. Publish the package publicly. bash npm publish --access public
5. Smithery catalog listings require direct coordination with the Smithery operations team.

Legal Information

This software is distributed under the terms of the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for the full legal text.

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