Beginner
How to create and organize issues on Linear
Quick Answer
Create issues in Linear by clicking the '+' button or using Cmd/Ctrl+K, then fill in title, description, and metadata. Organize issues using teams, projects, labels, and custom filters to maintain clear workflows.
Prerequisites
- Linear account access
- Team or workspace membership
- Basic understanding of issue tracking concepts
- Browser access to Linear app
1
Access the issue creation interface
Navigate to your Linear workspace and click the + Create button in the top toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut
Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux). You can also press C from anywhere in the app to quickly create a new issue.Tip
The keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to create issues without interrupting your workflow.
2
Fill in basic issue details
Enter a clear, descriptive title in the Title field. Add a detailed description in the Description area using Markdown formatting. Select the appropriate Team from the dropdown menu to assign the issue to the correct group.
Tip
Use action-oriented titles like 'Fix login button alignment' rather than vague descriptions like 'Button issue'.
3
Set issue metadata and priority
Choose a Priority level (Urgent, High, Medium, Low, or No Priority) from the priority dropdown. Select an appropriate Status such as Backlog, Todo, In Progress, or Done. Assign an Estimate using story points or time estimates if your team uses them.
Tip
Use priority levels consistently across your team to ensure important issues get proper attention.
4
Assign team members and set due dates
Click the Assignee field to assign the issue to a team member. Optionally set a Due Date by clicking the calendar icon. Add any relevant Labels by typing in the labels field to categorize the issue (e.g., bug, feature, documentation).
Tip
Leave issues unassigned initially if you're unsure who should work on them - they can be assigned during sprint planning.
5
Organize issues with projects and cycles
Link the issue to a Project by selecting from the project dropdown to group related work. If your team uses cycles (sprints), assign the issue to the appropriate Cycle. Add any Parent or Child relationships to create issue hierarchies.
Tip
Use projects for long-term initiatives and cycles for short-term sprint work to maintain clear organization.
6
Create custom views and filters
Navigate to your team's issue list and click + New View to create custom filtered views. Set up filters based on Status, Assignee, Priority, Labels, or Projects. Save these views with descriptive names like 'My Open Issues' or 'High Priority Bugs'.
Tip
Create personal views for your daily workflow and team views for standup meetings and planning sessions.
7
Set up automation and workflows
Access Team Settings from the team dropdown menu, then click Workflows. Configure automatic status transitions, such as moving issues to 'In Review' when a pull request is created. Set up Templates for common issue types to standardize information collection.
Tip
Start with simple automations and gradually add more complex workflows as your team becomes comfortable with Linear.
8
Use bulk actions for efficient organization
Select multiple issues by holding
Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows/Linux) while clicking issue titles. Use the bulk actions toolbar to simultaneously update Status, Priority, Assignee, Labels, or Project assignments across selected issues.Tip
Bulk actions are especially useful during sprint planning or when reorganizing your backlog.
Troubleshooting
Cannot see the create issue button
Check that you have the necessary permissions in your workspace. Contact your team admin to ensure you have Create Issue permissions for the relevant teams.
Issues not appearing in team views
Verify that the issue is assigned to the correct Team and that your current view filters aren't excluding the issue. Check the All Issues view to confirm the issue exists.
Custom labels not saving
Ensure you have permission to create labels in your workspace. Try refreshing the page and creating the label again. Contact your workspace admin if the problem persists.
Keyboard shortcuts not working
Make sure you're not in a text input field when using shortcuts like
C for create. Try clicking elsewhere on the page first, then use the shortcut. Check your browser settings for any conflicting keyboard extensions.Ready to get started with Linear?
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