Linear Cli
Automate creating and updating Linear issues, comments, and markdown bodies from the terminal while your coding agent stays in flow.
Overview
Linear CLI is an agent skill for the Build phase that automates Linear issue and comment management from the terminal via the schpet linear-cli, with git/jj hooks and file-based markdown bodies.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/schpet/linear-cli --skill linear-cliWhat is this skill?
- Runs via global `linear` or `npx @schpet/linear-cli` without forcing a global install
- Git and jj integration for branch-to-issue workflows from the shell
- File-based flags `--description-file` and `--body-file` for reliable multi-line markdown in the Linear UI
- Allowed agent tools: Bash(linear:*), Bash(curl:*) for version checks and API-adjacent setup
- Documents install and PATH checks before any automation session
- Two file-based flags documented: --description-file and --body-file for markdown-safe content
Adoption & trust: 5.1k installs on skills.sh; 762 GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You want your agent to file or update Linear tickets with real markdown, but inline CLI arguments break formatting and slow down multi-line specs.
Who is it for?
Solo builders and tiny teams using Linear who want hands-off issue CRUD and comments from Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex during active development.
Skip if: Teams on Jira/Asana only, builders who forbid shell access to issue trackers, or anyone who needs roadmap methodology without a Linear CLI install.
When should I use this skill?
You need to manage Linear issues from the command line or automate Linear with git/jj and want the agent to use file-based markdown flags.
What do I get? / Deliverables
After following the skill, the agent uses PATH or npx linear-cli with description/body files so issues and comments land correctly formatted and tied to your repo workflow.
- Linear issues created or updated with file-backed descriptions
- Comments added or updated via --body-file workflows
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Issue tracking and sprint hygiene sit in the build phase when you are actively shipping tasks, not in launch or grow. Linear CLI is a project-management integration: it maps git/jj branches to issues and edits descriptions—canonical home is pm, not generic agent-tooling.
How it compares
Use instead of pasting issue text in chat—this is a shell integration skill, not an MCP server or a brainstorming workflow.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is linear-cli for?
Indie developers and small squads on Linear who want their coding agent to create issues, update descriptions, and post comments via Bash without leaving the repo.
When should I use linear-cli?
Use it during build and pm work when you need automated ticket updates, branch-linked issue flows with git or jj, or long markdown bodies that must render cleanly in Linear.
Is linear-cli safe to install?
The skill allows shell commands against linear and curl; review the Security Audits panel on this page and scope credentials before granting network or tracker access to an agent.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Linear Cli
# Linear CLI A CLI to manage Linear issues from the command line, with git and jj integration. ## Prerequisites The `linear` command must be available on PATH. To check: ```bash linear --version ``` If not installed globally, you can run it without installing via npx: ```bash npx @schpet/linear-cli --version ``` All subsequent commands can be prefixed with `npx @schpet/linear-cli` in place of `linear`. Otherwise, follow the install instructions at:\ https://github.com/schpet/linear-cli?tab=readme-ov-file#install ## Best Practices for Markdown Content When working with issue descriptions or comment bodies that contain markdown, **always prefer using file-based flags** instead of passing content as command-line arguments: - Use `--description-file` for `issue create` and `issue update` commands - Use `--body-file` for `comment add` and `comment update` commands **Why use file-based flags:** - Ensures proper formatting in the Linear web UI - Avoids shell escaping issues with newlines and special characters - Prevents literal `\n` sequences from appearing in markdown - Makes it easier to work with multi-line content **Example workflow:** ```bash # Write markdown to a temporary file cat > /tmp/description.md <<'EOF' ## Summary - First item - Second item ## Details This is a detailed description with proper formatting. EOF # Create issue using the file linear issue create --title "My Issue" --description-file /tmp/description.md # Or for comments linear issue comment add ENG-123 --body-file /tmp/comment.md ``` **Only use inline flags** (`--description`, `--body`) for simple, single-line content. ## Available Commands Compact command list, generated from `linear --help`: ```bash linear auth linear auth login linear auth logout linear auth list linear auth default linear auth token linear auth whoami linear auth migrate linear issue linear issue id linear issue mine linear issue query linear issue title linear issue start linear issue view linear issue url linear issue describe linear issue commits linear issue pull-request linear issue delete linear issue create linear issue update linear issue comment linear issue comment add linear issue comment delete linear issue comment update linear issue comment list linear issue attach linear issue link linear issue relation linear issue relation add linear issue relation delete linear issue relation list linear issue agent-session linear issue agent-session list linear issue agent-session view linear team linear team create linear team delete linear team list linear team id linear team autolinks linear team members linear project linear project list linear project view linear project create linear project update linear project delete linear project-update linear project-update create linear project-update list linear cycle linear cycle list linear cycle view linear milestone linear milestone list linear milestone view linear milestone create linear milestone update linear milestone delete linear initiative linear initiative list linear initiative view linear initiative create linear initiative archive linear initiative update linear initiative unarchive linear initiative delete linear initiative add-project linear initiative remove-project linear initiative-update linear initiative-update create linear initiative-update list linear label linear label list linear label create linear label delete linear document linear document list linear document view linear document create linear document update linear document delete linear config linear schema linear api ``` ## Reference Documentation - [auth](references/auth.md) - Manage Linear authentication - [issue](references/issue.md) - Manage Linear issues - [team](references/team.md) - Manage Linear teams - [project](