How to Use Linear for Agencies

Linear is a fast issue tracker that agencies love for client work. This guide shows you how to set up Linear for multiple clients, create repeatable workflows, and generate reports that keep everyone in the loop. Follow each step and you’ll get a clean, collaborative environment without the bloat of larger tools.

Table of Contents

• 1. Initial Workspace Setup
• 2. Creating Client Projects
• 3. Building Agency‑Specific Workflows
• 4. Automations and Integrations
• 5. Reporting for Clients
• 6. Linear vs. Competitors
• 7. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Initial Workspace Setup

1.1 Sign up and choose a plan

Go to linear.app and click “Start free trial”. For agencies the Team plan at $8 per user per month gives you unlimited projects, advanced permissions, and SSO. If you have less than 5 users, the Free tier may suffice.

1.2 Create a master workspace

After confirming your email, you land on the “Create workspace” screen. Name it after your agency, e.g., Acme Creative Agency. This workspace will host all client sub‑workspaces.

1.3 Set up roles

Navigate to Settings → Members. Create three roles:

• Admin – full access, can manage billing.
• Member – can create issues, edit boards, view reports.
• Guest – read‑only view for clients.

2. Creating Client Projects

2.1 Add a new project per client

Click the “+” next to Projects in the left sidebar. Use the naming pattern Client – Project Name, e.g., Acme Co – Website Redesign. Choose a template: “Kanban” for design work, “Roadmap” for development timelines.

2.2 Configure project permissions

Open the project, go to Settings → Permissions, and add the client’s email as a Guest. Guests can see issues but cannot edit them.

2.3 Set up issue types

Linear ships with three default issue types: Bug, Feature, Task. For agencies add a custom type “Review” to mark client feedback stages.

3. Building Agency‑Specific Workflows

3.1 Custom states

Go to Settings → Workflow. Add two states after “In Progress”: Client Review and Approved. Drag them into the column order you prefer.

3.2 Templates for repetitive work

Create an issue template called “Design Sprint”. Include checklist items:

- Wireframes
- High‑fidelity mockups
- Internal review
- Client Review
- Final assets

Save it under Templates → Issue Templates. Now you can click “New from template” for each sprint.

3.3 Sprint cadence

Set your sprint length to two weeks. In the roadmap view, click the calendar icon and choose “2‑week sprint”. Linear will auto‑populate sprint dates and allow you to drag issues into the sprint backlog.

4. Automations and Integrations

4.1 Slack notifications

Open Settings → Integrations → Slack. Connect your agency’s Slack workspace, then select a channel like #linear‑updates. Enable “When an issue moves to Client Review, post a message”. This keeps the team and client in sync.

4.2 GitHub linking

Under Integrations → GitHub, add the repository that holds the client’s code. Use the “Branch name pattern” client‑{project} to automatically link commits to the right Linear issue.

4.3 Zapier example

If you need a PDF report, create a Zapier zap:

1. Trigger: “New Issue in Linear”.
2. Action: “Create PDF” from the issue data.
3. Action: “Send Email” to the client.

This runs without writing code.

5. Reporting for Clients

5.1 Built‑in progress view

Switch to the “Progress” tab in a project. It shows a burndown chart, issue count per state, and average cycle time. Click “Export” to download CSV.

5.2 Custom PDF report

Open the project, click “Print” (browser icon). In the print dialog, select “Save as PDF”. Add a cover page with your agency branding before sending.

5.3 Monthly recap email

Use the “Email Summary” feature (Settings → Email). Schedule a monthly email to the client’s Guest account that includes:

• Total issues completed.
• Average time per issue.
• Upcoming milestones.

6. Linear vs. Competitors

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Can Linear handle multiple client workspaces?

Yes. You can create a separate workspace for each client and switch between them in the top‑right menu.

Is there a way to export Linear reports to PDF?

Linear lets you print any board view as PDF via the browser print dialog. No native export yet.

How does Linear’s pricing compare to Jira for agencies?

Linear starts at $8 per user per month, while Jira Software starts at $10 per user. Linear includes unlimited projects and a faster UI.

Can I integrate Linear with Slack for client updates?

Yes. Use Linear’s Slack integration to post issue changes to a channel. Set up per‑workspace webhooks in Settings → Integrations.

What is the best way to onboard a new agency team in Linear?

Invite them to the workspace, assign them to a role (Admin, Member, Guest), and run the “Onboarding Checklist” template available in the Templates gallery.

Implement these steps and your agency will run smoother, keep clients informed, and avoid the overhead of larger tools. Linear’s speed and clean UI let you focus on delivering work, not wrestling with software.