Linear is a fast, keyboard‑first issue tracker that helps freelancers stay organized without endless clicks. This guide shows you how to set up Linear, create projects, automate workflows, and connect to GitHub or Zapier. Follow each step and you’ll turn a chaotic to‑do list into a clean, billable workflow.
Visit linear.app and click “Get Started”. Use your Google or GitHub account to avoid password fatigue.
Freelancers usually need only one workspace. Name it after your business, e.g., “SmithDesign”.
Go to Settings → Workspace Settings. Turn on “Dark mode” if you prefer low‑light work.
// Example: Enable dark mode via API
POST https://api.linear.app/graphql
{
"query": "mutation { workspaceUpdate(id: \"YOUR_ID\", data: {theme: DARK}) { success } }"
}
Click the “+ New Project” button in the left sidebar. Fill in:
Within a project, click “+ New Issue”. Use the following template for client work:
Title: Design homepage mockup
Description: Create three variations based on the brand guide.
Assignee: yourself
Priority: High
Labels: design, client‑review
Press Enter to save. Use Ctrl+Enter to submit quickly.
Cycles are two‑week sprints. Click “Create Cycle”, set start/end dates, and assign issues. This gives you a billable “sprint” to invoice.
Link GitHub repository (Settings → Integrations). Add a rule:
when: pull_request.merged
then: issue.state = Done
Now every merged PR closes the related Linear issue.
Enable “Email on comment” in Settings → Notifications. This keeps clients in the loop without adding them to Linear.
Zap: “When a new Linear issue is created → create a Google Calendar event”. Use Zapier’s free tier.
1. Go to Settings → Integrations → GitHub.
2. Choose the repo.
3. Set “Branch prefixes” (e.g., “feat/”).
Reference an issue in a commit with #ISSUE_NUMBER to link automatically.
Install Linear’s Slack app. Choose a channel, then enable “Issue updates”. You’ll get real‑time alerts when an issue moves to “Done”.
Use Zapier: “When Linear issue state changes to Done → create Harvest time entry”. Map the “Hours” custom field to the entry.
Linear’s free tier is generous, but paid plans add unlimited issues and automation. Below is a side‑by‑side look at Linear, Trello, and Asana for freelancers.
| Feature | Linear (Free) | Linear (Starter $8/user/mo) | Trello Free | Asana Premium $10.99/user/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issue limit | 10 active | Unlimited | Unlimited cards | Unlimited tasks |
| Automation | Basic rules | Advanced workflow automations | Butler limited | Rules engine |
| GitHub sync | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Time‑tracking field | Custom field | Custom field + Zapier | No | Built‑in |
| Support | Community | Priority email | Community | Email & chat |
Use a verb‑noun format: “Design landing page”. Short titles improve search and keyboard navigation.
Create labels like “billable‑hourly” or “fixed‑price”. Filter by label when generating invoices.
After invoicing, archive the cycle. This keeps your dashboard tidy and improves performance.
Press ? anywhere to see the cheat sheet. Common shortcuts:
Go to Project → Export → CSV. Send the file or import into Google Sheets for a polished report.
Linear offers a free tier with unlimited users, 10 active issues, and basic integrations. The paid “Starter” plan costs $8 per user per month and adds unlimited issues, advanced automation, and priority support.
Yes. Linear provides CSV import and a one‑click import from Trello, Asana, and Jira. Export your board as CSV, then use Linear’s Import tool.
Link a GitHub repository in Settings → Integrations. Commits that reference an issue ID (e.g., #123) automatically update the issue status and add a link to the commit.
Absolutely. The free plan covers a single user, and the UI is lightweight enough not to distract from billable work.
Linear does not have native time‑tracking, but you can add a custom “Hours” field or connect to Harvest via Zapier.
Linear gives freelancers a fast, clean way to turn client requests into trackable work. Set up your workspace, create issues, automate with GitHub and Zapier, and use the comparison table to decide if a paid plan is worth it. Follow the tips, export reports, and you’ll spend less time managing tasks and more time delivering value.