How to change issue status in Linear

Change the status of a Linear issue from Todo to In Progress with the status menu on the issue page, then confirm the move in the activity feed.

Quick answer

Open the issue from the Issues list, click its current status, Todo, in the Properties area, then choose a new status such as In Progress from the menu. Linear updates the issue right away and records the change in the Activity feed, showing who moved it and when.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open the team Issues list
  2. Click the issue you want to update
  3. Click the current status, Todo
  4. Pick the new status from the menu
  5. Check the Activity feed for the change

Interactive demo

Loading demo…

Summary

Every Linear issue carries a status that shows where the work stands. Changing it takes one menu selection on the issue page. Keeping statuses current means your team can read progress straight from the issue list.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Open the issue

    In the team **Issues** list, find the issue you want to update. Click its title, for example **Set up your teams**, to open the issue page.

  2. Step 2

    Open the status menu

    On the issue page, look at the **Properties** area. Click the current status, **Todo**, to open the status menu.

  3. Step 3

    Choose the new status

    The menu lists **Backlog**, **Todo**, **In Progress**, **Done**, **Canceled** and **Duplicate**. Click **In Progress** to apply it.

  4. Step 4

    Check the new status

    The status control now reads **In Progress**. The **Activity** feed adds a line saying the issue moved from Todo to In Progress, with the time it happened.

Why this matters

You have picked up a task that is still marked Todo, and your team needs to know it is underway. Moving it to In Progress takes a few seconds and keeps the issue list honest without a status meeting.

Frequently asked questions

  • Which statuses can I choose in Linear?

    In this workspace the status menu offered Backlog, Todo, In Progress, Done, Canceled and Duplicate.

  • Does Linear record who changed the status?

    Yes. The Activity feed on the issue shows a line for the move, including the time it happened.

Related guides

Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.

Create interactive demos like this one — free, no coding required.

Start for free →