What is Linear?

Linear is a project management tool built specifically for software teams. It’s the anti-Jira: fast, opinionated, and designed for developers who hate clicking through menus.

The philosophy is simple: project management should be as fast as the code you write. Every interaction is optimized for speed.

Key Features

Keyboard-First Design

Linear’s keyboard shortcuts are comprehensive and well-designed. Press C to create an issue, Cmd+K for the command palette, arrow keys to navigate. You can manage your entire backlog without touching the mouse.

Cycles

Linear’s take on sprints is called Cycles. They automatically start and end, with unfinished issues rolling over. No ceremony, no sprint planning meetings.

Git Integration

Link issues to branches and PRs automatically. When a PR merges, the issue closes. Linear’s Git integration is the best in the business.

Roadmaps

Plan quarters and initiatives with Linear’s roadmap view. Drag and drop to reprioritize, and watch projects flow from idea to shipped.

Pricing

Free for up to 250 issues. The Standard plan at $8/user/month unlocks unlimited issues, cycles, and roadmaps. Plus at $14/user/month adds admin controls and advanced analytics.

The free tier is genuinely useful for small teams or personal projects.

Who Should Use Linear?

• Development teams tired of Jira’s complexity
• Startups that need to move fast
• Individual developers managing side projects
• Design teams that want something beautiful

The Bottom Line

Linear is what project management should have always been. It’s fast, beautiful, and designed by people who actually build software. If your team groans every time they open Jira, switch to Linear.