# Give Cursor access to Linear

> You copy ticket details into the editor by hand before every task.

This setup is for developers who plan work in Linear and write code in Cursor. Cursor's agent reads a Linear issue by its ID, plans the change from the description and comments, and opens a GitHub pull request linked back to the issue. You stop copying ticket text into the editor by hand.

## Steps

1. **Add Linear to Cursor**: Open Cursor Settings > MCP (Tools & Integrations in newer versions) and add a new server. Use Linear's remote server URL, https://mcp.linear.app/mcp, in your mcp.json. Save the file and wait for the server to show as connected.
   Tip: Put it in the project's .cursor/mcp.json if only one repo needs Linear, or in your global config for all projects.
2. **Authorise your workspace**: When Cursor first calls Linear, a browser window opens for OAuth. Sign in and pick the workspace your team uses, then return to Cursor. Ask the agent to list your assigned issues to confirm it sees the right workspace.
   Tip: If you switch workspaces later, remove and re-add the server to re-authorise.
3. **Reference issues in prompts**: In Agent mode, ask Cursor to read an issue by ID, such as ENG-412, and propose a plan before writing code. Check the plan against the issue's acceptance criteria and comments. Then let it make the change in your branch.
   Tip: Ask the agent to post a short progress comment on the Linear issue when it finishes.
4. **Open the pull request**: Add GitHub's MCP server with a fine-grained token that can create branches and pull requests in the repository. Ask Cursor to open a PR with the Linear issue ID in the title or branch name. Linear's GitHub integration then links the PR to the issue automatically.
   Tip: Linear's GitHub integration must be enabled in Linear settings for the automatic link.

## Prompts to try

- Read ENG-412 and propose a plan for the change before you write any code.
- Implement ENG-412 in a new branch named eng-412-export-csv and run the tests.
- List my Linear issues in the current cycle that are In Progress.
- Open a pull request for this branch with ENG-412 in the title and a summary of the changes.
- Add a comment to ENG-412 saying the fix is in review and link the PR.

## What you need

- Cursor with Agent mode
- A Linear account in the workspace you want to use
- A GitHub fine-grained token with pull request access
- Linear's GitHub integration enabled for automatic PR linking

## Limits

- The agent only knows what is in the issue, its comments and your repo; decisions made in meetings stay invisible.
- OAuth access uses your Linear permissions, so the agent can see every team you can.
- Long issue threads can take up context space; ask for a summary first on big issues.

## Security notes

- Use OAuth rather than a personal API key where possible.
- Review any issue updates Cursor proposes.

## MCP servers

- [Linear MCP Server](https://linear.app/docs/mcp): issue-read, issue-write, project-read
- [GitHub MCP Server](https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server): repository-read, issue-write, pull-request-write

## FAQ

**Which Cursor plan do I need?**

MCP servers work in Cursor's Agent mode, which is available on the free and paid plans with different usage limits. Check Cursor's pricing page for current limits.

**Can Cursor change Linear issues?**

Yes. Linear's MCP server can create and update issues and comments with your account's permissions. Cursor asks before running tool calls unless you enable auto-run.

**Does this work in other editors?**

Linear's server works with any MCP host, including Claude Code, VS Code and Windsurf. This guide uses Cursor because the steps and settings paths match its interface.

**What if the issue description is thin?**

The agent plans from what the issue says. Add acceptance criteria and links to designs in Linear first, or give the missing details in your prompt.

## Tools

- **[Linear](https://suiteintent.com/t/linear?m=GB)**: Fast, keyboard-first issue tracker. · Best for: Startups planning work in cycles · Free plan · Free for startups
- **[GitHub](https://suiteintent.com/t/github?m=GB)**: Code hosting, issues and pull requests. · Best for: Teams reviewing code through pull requests · Free plan · 10000