Why This Integration Matters

The integration of GitHub and Linear solves a significant workflow problem for development teams: the manual tracking of issues and development progress across two separate platforms. By automating the syncing of issues, teams can save approximately 5 hours per week, previously spent on manual updates and checks. This integration is particularly useful for issue syncing, ensuring that development tracking is accurate and up-to-date.

• Time Saved: 5 hours/week
• Use Case: Issue Syncing

Quick Setup (Under 5 Minutes)

Prerequisites

• Active GitHub account (no specific tier required, works with all tiers)
• Active Linear account (requires at least the “Team” tier for integration capabilities)
• Admin access to both tools for authorization

Step-by-Step Connection

Method 1: Native Integration

1. In GitHub, go to Settings > Integrations
2. Search for Linear
3. Click Connect and authorize
4. Configure sync options, including choosing which repositories and issues to sync

Method 2: Via Zapier/Make If native integration is limited or for more customized workflows:

1. Create a new Zap/Scenario
2. Set GitHub as the trigger (e.g., “New Issue”)
3. Set Linear as the action (e.g., “Create New Issue”)
4. Map fields accordingly, ensuring that key information like issue titles, descriptions, and assignees are synced correctly

Common Workflows

Workflow 1: Issue Syncing

Workflow 2: Reverse Sync

For bidirectional syncing, where updates in Linear reflect back in GitHub:

• Update an issue in Linear
• The corresponding issue in GitHub is updated, ensuring both platforms have the latest information

Troubleshooting

Connection Errors

• “Authentication Failed”: Reauthorize with fresh tokens, ensuring that access permissions are correctly set
• “Rate Limited”: Reduce sync frequency to every 15 minutes to comply with GitHub’s and Linear’s rate limits
• “Missing Fields”: Check required field mapping to ensure all necessary fields are correctly mapped between GitHub and Linear

Pro Tips

Power User Tip: Set up error notifications in Slack so you know immediately when sync breaks, allowing for prompt action to resolve the issue and minimize downtime.

Limitations to Know

• Specific data types that don’t sync: Currently, GitHub and Linear’s integration does not support syncing of certain custom fields or very large file attachments.
• Rate limits on either side: Both GitHub and Linear have rate limits on API calls, which can affect how frequently data can be synced.
• Feature gaps between tiers: The free tier of Linear has limited integration capabilities compared to higher tiers, affecting the depth of integration possible with GitHub.

FAQ

Q: Does this work with the free tier? A: Partially, the free tier of Linear allows basic integration but lacks advanced features available in higher tiers.

Q: How often does data sync? A: Data syncs in real-time for most updates, but certain actions may be subject to a scheduled sync every 15 minutes due to rate limits.

Q: Can I sync historical data? A: Yes, it’s possible to backfill historical data from GitHub into Linear, but this may require a manual import process or a custom Zap/Scenario setup.

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