How to build and customize roadmaps on Linear
Quick Answer
Linear roadmaps are built by navigating to the Roadmaps section, creating a new roadmap, and adding projects with defined timelines. You can customize views, add milestones, and configure display options to track progress across teams and initiatives.
Prerequisites
- Active Linear workspace with admin or member permissions
- Existing projects and teams set up in Linear
- Basic understanding of Linear's issue and project structure
- Roadmap feature enabled in your Linear plan
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Navigate to the Roadmaps section
Click on Roadmaps in the left sidebar of your Linear workspace. If you don't see this option, ensure your plan includes roadmap features and you have appropriate permissions. The roadmaps view will display any existing roadmaps or prompt you to create your first one.
Use the keyboard shortcut Cmd/Ctrl + K and type 'roadmap' to quickly navigate to this section.
2
Create a new roadmap
Click the + New roadmap button in the top-right corner. Enter a descriptive name for your roadmap (e.g., 'Q1 2026 Product Roadmap'). Add an optional description to provide context about the roadmap's purpose and scope. Select the visibility settings - choose between team-specific or workspace-wide access.
Use clear, descriptive names that indicate the time period and scope to help team members quickly identify the right roadmap.
3
Add projects to your roadmap
Click Add project to start populating your roadmap. Select existing projects from the dropdown menu or create new ones by clicking Create new project. For each project, set the start date and target date using the date pickers. Assign projects to specific teams using the Team dropdown to organize work across different groups.
Link related projects by setting dependencies to show how delays in one project might affect others.
4
Configure timeline and view options
Use the timeline controls at the top to switch between Quarters, Months, or Weeks view depending on your planning horizon. Toggle Show completed to include or hide finished projects. Adjust the zoom level using the controls to get the right level of detail for your current needs.
Use quarterly view for high-level strategic planning and weekly view for detailed sprint planning.
5
Add milestones and key dates
Click Add milestone to mark important dates like product launches, deadlines, or review meetings. Enter a milestone name and select the date using the date picker. Choose a color and icon to make milestones visually distinct. Milestones will appear as vertical lines across your roadmap timeline.
Use different colors for different types of milestones (e.g., blue for releases, red for deadlines, green for reviews).
6
Customize project display and grouping
Click the Group by dropdown to organize projects by Team, Status, or None. Use the Sort by option to arrange projects by start date, target date, or alphabetically. Toggle Show project details to display additional information like progress bars, assignees, and issue counts directly on the roadmap.
Group by team when presenting to leadership to show work distribution across different groups.
7
Set up progress tracking
Enable Progress tracking to show completion percentages based on closed vs. total issues in each project. Configure Status indicators to display project health using colors (green for on-track, yellow for at-risk, red for delayed). Set up automated updates so progress reflects real-time changes in your Linear issues.
Regularly review and update project statuses to ensure your roadmap reflects current reality.
8
Share and collaborate on your roadmap
Click the Share button to generate a public link or embed code for external stakeholders. Use @mentions in project descriptions to notify specific team members about updates. Enable notifications to get alerts when project timelines change or milestones approach. Export your roadmap as an image or PDF using the Export option for presentations.
Create different roadmaps for different audiences - detailed technical roadmaps for engineering teams and high-level strategic roadmaps for executives.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Roadmaps section is not visible in the sidebar
Check that your Linear plan includes roadmap features and verify you have member or admin permissions. Contact your workspace admin to upgrade your plan or adjust permissions if needed.
Projects are not showing progress correctly
Ensure your projects contain Linear issues and that issue statuses are properly configured. Progress is calculated based on completed vs. total issues, so verify that your Done states are set up correctly in your workflow.
Timeline dates are displaying incorrectly
Check your workspace timezone settings under Settings > General. Verify that project start and target dates are set correctly, and refresh your browser if dates still appear wrong.
Cannot add certain projects to roadmap
Verify you have edit permissions for the projects you're trying to add. Some projects may be restricted to specific teams - check the project settings or ask the project owner to grant access.
Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Linear website before purchasing.