How to set up Linear MCP in Claude Code to automate issue tracking

In my previous posts, I showed how I used Claude with Composio's MCP layer to skip dashboards and manage tools like Neon and Supabase from a Claude session window. I also shared how I automated my day-to-day Jira tasks using the same approach. So if you're interested, check out that post too..

Linear and Jira both handle project Management, but Linear's focus is on fast, modern issue tracking, perfect for developers who want a smooth experience. Still, even in Linear, opening the UI every time you want to create a bug, assign tasks, or update statuses can get old fast.

So, I used the Linear MCP server from Composio, connected it to Claude Code, and now you can manage Linear projects just from your terminal, i.e., no UI, no endless clicking.

What is MCP?

This time, let’s briefly explain MCPs with a use-case lens:

Think of MCPs as a way to turn APIs into something that Claude can “understand” and “use”, like plugging tools into some AI Agent’s brain.

For more background information, refer to my Jira blog or Anthropic’s MCP overview. Also, check out Airtable and the Asana MCP server.

What can a Linear MCP Server do?

Let’s say you’re in a flow, ideating or writing code, and you suddenly think:

“I should create a bug ticket and assign it to someone in the frontend team.”

With Linear MCP and Claude, you type:

“Create a bug in the Payments project called “Fix refund edge case crash” and assign it to @alex.”

… and it’s done.

No switching tabs. No forms, no remembering project IDs.

Things you can do with Linear MCP Server:

• Create issues using LINEAR_CREATE_LINEAR_ISSUE

• Update issue status, title, priority with LINEAR_UPDATE_ISSUE

• Delete issues when no longer relevant using LINEAR_DELETE_LINEAR_ISSUE

• Fetch issue details on demand with LINEAR_GET_LINEAR_ISSUE

There are many tools available for use; follow this documentation page.

Why use Composio for this?

Let’s say you’re building a productivity AI or just want to let Claude manage your Linear workspace without building everything yourself. If you connect directly to Linear’s API or its MCP, you’d still need to handle:

• OAuth flows or personal access tokens

• Managing sessions and tokens.

• Keeping everything updated with Linear’s API changes

Composio handles all of that for you. It acts as an integration layer that hosts MCP specs, handles auth, so all you have to do is to pick Linear from Composio’s integrations list and start prompting.

What we’ll be covering

In this post, we’ll go through:

• What’s a Linear MCP and how it works

• How to set it up using Composio

• Using the MCP server with Claude Code in your terminal

How to set up the Linear MCP using Claude Code

You can easily set up a Composio MCP in 2 ways:

Option 1: Quick Setup via Composio MCP page

1. Head over to the Composio Linear MCP

2. Switch to the Claude tab

3. Click Generate, then copy the generated command

4. Paste and run it in your terminal

npx @composio/mcp@latest setup "<https://mcp.composio.dev/partner/composio/linear/mcp?customerId=[your-customer-id]&agent=claude>" "linear-vbusm8-8" --client

5. Copy the config to your local project:

cp

6. Start Claude, and ask it to authenticate you with Linear MCP. It’ll generate an Auth URL to authenticate and authorise your Client.

I could have saved a few tokens if I passed a correct prompt, i,e, to initiate connection using linear mcp..

5Option 2: Use the Composio Dashboard (More Control)

If you want to set up scopes, test actions, or run more advanced flows:

1. Go to Composio Dashboard (We’ll be using the old dashboard for this blog)

2. Search “Linear MCP” → click Integrate

3. Click on “Create Integration”, and in the next screen, click “Try connecting default linear”.

4. It’ll redirect you to a new tab where you can authorize the integrations after logging into your linear app and granting permissions.

Create an issue in the Web project called "Fix nav overlap", with a description of "The navigation bar is overlapping with the content, and it's not working as expected."

5. Once verified that things are working as intended, create your own MCP server by going through the integrations page and clicking the tool → Create your own MCP Server.

6. Select the actions you want and copy the npx command, and run it with Claude

Using the Linear MCP Server with Claude Code

Now that it’s all set up, try prompting Claude with things like

• “Create a bug in the Billing project with priority High.”

• “Assign this issue to Emily and label it urgent.”

• “List all tasks due this week.”

You can run this from Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or your own CLI wrapper using HTTP.

Conclusion

The blog post isn’t about Linear’s UI being bad (it’s super cool), but rather because sometimes I want to think in terms of tasks, not a typical dashboard. If you’re building your own AI workflows or just want a more natural way to manage issues, give the Linea MCP a try.

The best part? Once you’ve set up one MCP, setting up the same for other tools like GitHub, Supabase, or Notion feels like a simple 5-minute task.