Linear
The issue tracking tool built for modern software teams. Streamlined, keyboard-first, and blazingly fast.
Platforms
Best For
Software teams who value speed, design, and developer experience over complex customization options.
Category
Project ManagementPros
- Incredibly fast and responsive
- Beautiful, minimal design
- Powerful keyboard shortcuts
- Excellent GitHub integration
- Generous free tier
Cons
- Learning curve for shortcuts
- Limited customization
- Mac-centric design
- No time tracking built-in
Key Features
Overview
Linear reimagines issue tracking from the ground up, focusing on speed, keyboard efficiency, and delightful user experience. Built by former Uber, Airbnb, and Coinbase engineers, it’s designed for teams who build software and care about their tools.
Design Philosophy
Speed First
- 50ms interactions (seriously)
- Instant search across everything
- Real-time sync without refresh
- Optimistic UI updates
Keyboard Native
- Every action has a shortcut
- Command menu (Cmd+K) for everything
- Vi-style navigation available
- Minimal mouse usage needed
Opinionated Simplicity
- Fixed workflow stages
- Consistent patterns
- No feature bloat
- Focus on core workflows
Key Features
Cycles
Linear’s approach to sprints:
- Automatic issue scheduling
- Progress tracking
- Velocity insights
- Cycle analytics
Roadmaps
- Multiple timeline views
- Project dependencies
- Milestone tracking
- Public roadmap sharing
Automations
- Auto-close issues from commits
- Auto-archive completed work
- Slack notifications
- Custom webhook triggers
Integrations
Deep integration with:
- GitHub/GitLab (two-way sync)
- Slack (notifications and actions)
- Figma (design links)
- Sentry (error tracking)
Workflow Example
- Create Issue:
Ckey opens creation modal - Assign & Prioritize: Tab through fields, never touch mouse
- Move Through Workflow: Number keys change status
- Link Code: Automatic via branch names
- Close: Merging PR auto-completes issue
Team Features
For Engineers
- Git integration that actually works
- Fast enough to not interrupt flow
- Clean URLs for sharing
- API for custom tooling
For Product Managers
- Roadmap planning
- Progress visibility
- Stakeholder updates
- Priority management
For Designers
- Figma plugin
- Image attachments
- Clean issue templates
- Design review workflow
Pricing Analysis
Free Tier
- Up to 10 users
- Unlimited issues
- All core features
- 3 month data retention
Pro ($8/user/month)
- Unlimited users
- Advanced analytics
- Private roadmaps
- Priority support
- Unlimited data retention
Business ($12/user/month)
- SAML SSO
- Advanced permissions
- SLA guarantees
- Dedicated support
Migration
Linear makes switching easy:
- Importers for Jira, Asana, GitHub Issues
- CSV import option
- API for custom migration
- Migration assistance for large teams
Best Practices
- Embrace Shortcuts: Print the shortcut cheatsheet
- Use Cycles: Don’t fight the sprint model
- Automate: Set up workflows early
- Integrate: Connect your dev tools
- Keep It Simple: Resist over-customization
Linear vs Competitors
vs Jira
- Linear: Fast, opinionated, developer-focused
- Jira: Customizable, complex, enterprise-ready
vs GitHub Issues
- Linear: Better UX, advanced features
- GitHub Issues: Free, simpler, integrated with code
vs Asana
- Linear: Developer-focused, faster
- Asana: Better for non-technical teams
Verdict
Linear is a breath of fresh air in the stagnant issue tracking space. If your team values speed, simplicity, and developer experience over infinite customization, Linear delivers an unmatched experience. The free tier is generous enough for small teams to use indefinitely.
Ready to try Linear?
Start with their free (up to 10 users) to see if it fits your workflow.
Get Started