Linear API MCP Server Integration Guide
Quick Start Architecture Summary
The Linear API MCP server is a Model Context Protocol integration that connects AI assistants (Claude Desktop, Cursor IDE, VS Code, Zed) to the Linear API API through natural language directives. It exposes 3 API operations as callable MCP tools, including List issues, Create issue, List teams. Authentication requires API Key credentials configured via environment variables. Sourced from the community Linear API OpenAPI specification (v1.0) with an overall quality score of 58/99.
Technical Overview & Protocol Integration
Manage issues, projects, and workflows in Linear through your AI agent.
By converting the OpenAPI 3.0 specification for Linear API into native Model Context Protocol (MCP) tool definitions, developers and AI agents gain programmatic access to endpoints over stdio or HTTP transports. Every endpoint is translated into a discrete tool payload complete with input argument validation, parameter descriptions, and return type definitions.
This setup enables LLM agents to execute multi-step workflows, search records, mutate state, and analyze responses safely within local desktop client sessions like Claude Desktop and Cursor IDE.
2. Technical Specifications Matrix
System Specifications
| API Name | Linear API |
| Slug Identifier | linear |
| Category | Productivity |
| Auth Method | API Key |
| Endpoint Count | 3 tools mapped |
| Spec Version | OpenAPI v1.0 |
| Transport Type | STDIO |
| Publisher Source | community |
3. Multi-Client Installation Matrix
Copy and paste these pre-formatted JSON snippets into your MCP client configuration files.
Claude Desktop
Add to claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"linear": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@linear/mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"LINEAR_API_KEY": "your_linear_api_key"
}
}
}
}Cursor IDE
Settings → MCP Servers → Add Hosted Config
{
"mcpServers": {
"linear": {
"url": "https://mcpbridge.org/config/linear.json"
}
}
}Saves as .cursor/mcp.json in the download. Move it to your project root.
VS Code / Cline
Use with MCP extension config
{
"mcpServers": {
"linear": {
"url": "https://mcpbridge.org/config/linear.json"
}
}
}4. Environment Variables & Authentication Reference
Key parameters and credential variable mappings for Linear API.
| Variable Name | Required | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| LINEAR_API_KEY | REQUIRED | your_linear_api_key |
5. Endpoints & Tool Schemas Matrix
Search and inspect the 3 tool signatures mapped from OpenAPI.
Executable Code Integration Examples
Call Linear API endpoints via cURL, TypeScript, or Python REST SDKs.
curl -X GET "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/linear/linear-api/main/issues" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY"
6. Real-World AI Assistant Prompts
Prompt directives for invoking Linear API operations inside AI client chats.
1. Information Search & Resource Querying
Read Query"Use Linear API MCP server tools to search resources matching path '/issues' and summarize available properties."
2. Action Execution & API Payload Creation
Action Execution"Call Linear API operation '/issues' with parameters configured for environment testing."
3. Multi-Step API Workflow Automation
Workflow Automation"Inspect recent responses from Linear API API, extract target identifiers, and format a clean diagnostic report."
4. Introspection & Schema Audit
Introspection"Retrieve the full OpenAPI tool schema list for Linear API MCP server and generate a technical summary of capabilities."
7. Error Resolution & Troubleshooting Guide
HTTP status codes and JSON-RPC protocol error resolution matrix.
400 Bad RequestRoot Cause: Malformed request payload parameters or missing required JSON Schema fields.
Resolution Action: Verify request schema in Section 5 tool specifications before calling operation.
401 UnauthorizedRoot Cause: Missing or invalid API key credentials in MCP environment config.
Resolution Action: Define required key in client config under env object.
403 ForbiddenRoot Cause: Insufficient scope permissions or unauthorized resource access.
Resolution Action: Check key permissions in developer control panel.
404 Not FoundRoot Cause: Resource URL path or requested target ID does not exist.
Resolution Action: Inspect path parameters and resource ID values.
429 Rate Limit ExceededRoot Cause: Upstream API rate limit quota exceeded.
Resolution Action: Implement exponential backoff retry in tool execution loop.
500 Internal Server ErrorRoot Cause: Upstream service runtime fault or stdio process crash.
Resolution Action: Inspect STDIO stderr output stream for diagnostic trace.
8. Quality Scorecard & Audit Metadata
Automated evaluation metrics for OpenAPI specification quality.
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