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How to integrate with GitHub on Linear

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Integrating GitHub with Linear allows automatic syncing of issues, pull requests, and commits. Navigate to your Linear workspace settings, enable the GitHub integration, and authenticate with your GitHub account to start linking repositories.

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Prerequisites

  • Linear workspace with admin access
  • GitHub repository access
  • GitHub account with proper permissions
  • Basic understanding of Git workflows

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access Linear workspace settings

Click on your workspace name in the top-left corner of Linear, then select Settings from the dropdown menu. Navigate to the Integrations tab in the left sidebar.
Only workspace admins can configure integrations
2

Find and enable GitHub integration

Scroll down to find the GitHub integration card. Click the Add integration button to begin the setup process.
3

Authenticate with GitHub

Click Connect to GitHub to open the GitHub authorization page. Sign in to your GitHub account if prompted, then click Authorize Linear to grant the necessary permissions.
Linear requires read access to repositories and write access to issues and pull requests
4

Select repositories to sync

Choose which GitHub repositories you want to integrate with Linear. You can select All repositories or Selected repositories. For selected repositories, use the search box to find and check the repositories you want to connect.
Start with one or two repositories to test the integration before adding more
5

Configure sync settings

Set your synchronization preferences:
  • Enable Auto-create Linear issues from GitHub issues if desired
  • Choose whether to sync Pull request status to Linear
  • Configure Branch naming conventions for Linear issues
Auto-creation can generate many issues, so consider your workflow needs
6

Set up Linear-GitHub linking

Configure how Linear issues connect to GitHub:
  • Enable Git branch suggestions to auto-generate branch names
  • Set up Commit message templates with Linear issue references
  • Choose PR title formatting to include Linear issue identifiers
Use format like 'LIN-123' in commit messages to automatically link commits to Linear issues
7

Test the integration

Create a new Linear issue and click the Git tab. You should see options to Create branch or Create pull request. Test creating a branch from Linear and verify it appears in your connected GitHub repository.
8

Configure team permissions

Go to Team Settings and ensure team members have appropriate access. Under Integrations, verify that the GitHub integration is enabled for the relevant teams and projects.
Different teams can have different GitHub repositories connected to their projects

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

GitHub integration button is missing

Ensure you have admin permissions in your Linear workspace. Only admins can add new integrations.

Authorization fails during GitHub connection

Check that you have admin access to the GitHub repositories you're trying to connect. Clear your browser cache and try the authorization process again.

Linear issues not syncing with GitHub

Verify the repository is properly selected in the integration settings. Go to Settings → Integrations → GitHub and ensure your repositories are listed under Connected repositories.

Branch creation from Linear not working

Check that the GitHub repository has write permissions enabled for Linear. Ensure the repository isn't archived and that you have push access to create branches.

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