How to create and organize issues on Linear

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Create issues in Linear by clicking the '+' button or using Cmd/Ctrl+K, then fill in title, description, and metadata. Organize issues using teams, projects, labels, and custom filters to maintain clear workflows.

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Prerequisites

Linear account access
Team or workspace membership
Basic understanding of issue tracking concepts
Browser access to Linear app

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the issue creation interface

Navigate to your Linear workspace and click the + Create button in the top toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux). You can also press C from anywhere in the app to quickly create a new issue.

The keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to create issues without interrupting your workflow.

Fill in basic issue details

Enter a clear, descriptive title in the Title field. Add a detailed description in the Description area using Markdown formatting. Select the appropriate Team from the dropdown menu to assign the issue to the correct group.

Use action-oriented titles like 'Fix login button alignment' rather than vague descriptions like 'Button issue'.

Set issue metadata and priority

Choose a Priority level (Urgent, High, Medium, Low, or No Priority) from the priority dropdown. Select an appropriate Status such as Backlog, Todo, In Progress, or Done. Assign an Estimate using story points or time estimates if your team uses them.

Use priority levels consistently across your team to ensure important issues get proper attention.

Assign team members and set due dates

Click the Assignee field to assign the issue to a team member. Optionally set a Due Date by clicking the calendar icon. Add any relevant Labels by typing in the labels field to categorize the issue (e.g., bug, feature, documentation).

Leave issues unassigned initially if you're unsure who should work on them - they can be assigned during sprint planning.

Organize issues with projects and cycles

Link the issue to a Project by selecting from the project dropdown to group related work. If your team uses cycles (sprints), assign the issue to the appropriate Cycle. Add any Parent or Child relationships to create issue hierarchies.

Use projects for long-term initiatives and cycles for short-term sprint work to maintain clear organization.

Create custom views and filters

Navigate to your team's issue list and click + New View to create custom filtered views. Set up filters based on Status, Assignee, Priority, Labels, or Projects. Save these views with descriptive names like 'My Open Issues' or 'High Priority Bugs'.

Create personal views for your daily workflow and team views for standup meetings and planning sessions.

Set up automation and workflows

Access Team Settings from the team dropdown menu, then click Workflows. Configure automatic status transitions, such as moving issues to 'In Review' when a pull request is created. Set up Templates for common issue types to standardize information collection.

Start with simple automations and gradually add more complex workflows as your team becomes comfortable with Linear.

Use bulk actions for efficient organization

Select multiple issues by holding Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows/Linux) while clicking issue titles. Use the bulk actions toolbar to simultaneously update Status, Priority, Assignee, Labels, or Project assignments across selected issues.

Bulk actions are especially useful during sprint planning or when reorganizing your backlog.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Cannot see the create issue button

Check that you have the necessary permissions in your workspace. Contact your team admin to ensure you have Create Issue permissions for the relevant teams.

Issues not appearing in team views

Verify that the issue is assigned to the correct Team and that your current view filters aren't excluding the issue. Check the All Issues view to confirm the issue exists.

Custom labels not saving

Ensure you have permission to create labels in your workspace. Try refreshing the page and creating the label again. Contact your workspace admin if the problem persists.

Keyboard shortcuts not working

Make sure you're not in a text input field when using shortcuts like C for create. Try clicking elsewhere on the page first, then use the shortcut. Check your browser settings for any conflicting keyboard extensions.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Linear website before purchasing.

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