How to create reusable issue templates on Linear

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Create reusable issue templates in Linear by navigating to workspace settings, selecting Templates, and defining structured formats with predefined fields and descriptions. Templates help standardize issue creation across your team and ensure consistent information capture.

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Prerequisites

Active Linear workspace
Admin or member permissions
Access to workspace settings
Understanding of your team's workflow

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access workspace settings

Click on your workspace name in the top-left corner of Linear, then select Settings from the dropdown menu. Navigate to the Templates section in the left sidebar under workspace configuration.

You need admin or member permissions to create templates

Create a new template

Click the New Template button in the Templates section. Choose Issue Template from the template type options. Enter a descriptive name for your template in the Template Name field.

Use clear, specific names like 'Bug Report' or 'Feature Request' to help team members choose the right template

Configure template details

Fill in the Title field with a default title format using variables like [Type] Brief description. Add a detailed description in the Description field with placeholder text, sections, and formatting that guides users on what information to include.

Use markdown formatting to create structured sections like ## Steps to Reproduce or ## Acceptance Criteria

Set default field values

Configure default values for fields like Priority, Labels, and Team assignment. Use the dropdown menus to select appropriate defaults that match your workflow. Set the Project and Status if applicable.

Setting sensible defaults saves time and ensures consistency across issues

Add template variables

Use Linear's template variables in your description like {{user.name}} for the creator's name or {{date}} for current date. Include placeholder sections with ## Section Name and bullet points for required information.

Variables automatically populate when the template is used, reducing manual entry

Configure template availability

In the Available to section, choose which teams can access this template. Select specific teams from the dropdown or make it available to all teams in your workspace. Set any restrictions based on user roles if needed.

Restrict specialized templates to relevant teams to avoid cluttering the template selection

Preview and test the template

Click Preview to see how your template will appear when creating an issue. Review the formatting, default values, and placeholder text. Make any necessary adjustments to improve clarity and usability.

Test the template by creating a draft issue to ensure it works as expected

Save and activate the template

Click Save Template to create your reusable template. The template will now appear in the template selection when team members create new issues. You can edit or deactivate templates anytime from the Templates settings page.

Regularly review and update templates based on team feedback and evolving workflows

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Template not appearing in issue creation

Check that the template is assigned to the correct team and that you have proper permissions. Refresh your browser and verify the template is saved and active in workspace settings.

Template variables not populating

Ensure you're using the correct variable syntax like {{user.name}} or {{date}}. Check Linear's documentation for supported variables and verify there are no typos in the variable names.

Cannot edit or delete existing template

Verify you have admin or member permissions in the workspace. Template editing may be restricted based on your role. Contact your workspace admin if you need permission changes.

Default field values not applying correctly

Check that the default values you selected are valid for the target team's workflow. Some fields may be team-specific or require certain labels to exist before they can be set as defaults.

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