npm package: @mkusaka/mcp-server-linear
Description: MCP server for using the Linear API
Author: mkusaka
Latest version: 1.0.15

# 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](https://linear.app/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](https://linear.app/settings/api/applications)
2. Configure your application and obtain the client ID and client secret
3. Set the following environment variables:

```bash
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:

```bash
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](https://github.com/saoudrizwan/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:

```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": []
    }
  }
}
```

##### Cursor

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

```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](adr.md).

## Development

```bash
# 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:

```bash
# 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

```bash
# 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](adr.md) for architecture decisions and project structure.

## License

MIT