How to use Linear's API tokens
Create a personal API key in Linear: open Security & access, name the key, review its permissions and team access, then click Create to generate it.
Quick answer
Open Settings, choose Security & access, and find the Personal API keys section. Click New API key, type a descriptive Key name, then review the Full access permissions and team access. Click Create to generate the key. The key then authenticates requests to Linear's GraphQL API from your own tools.
Steps at a glance
- Open Settings and click Security & access.
- Find Personal API keys and click New API key.
- Type a descriptive name in Key name.
- Review the permissions and team access options.
- Click Create to generate the key.
Interactive demo
Summary
Personal API keys let you use Linear's GraphQL API to build your own integrations. Each key is attributed to you, so naming it clearly and limiting what it can reach keeps your workspace tidy and safe.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open Security & access
Open your personal settings and click **Security & access** in the sidebar under Personal. This page holds your sessions, passkeys and API keys.
Step 2
Click New API key
Scroll to the **Personal API keys** section, which says Linear's GraphQL API can be used to build your own integrations. With no keys yet, click **New API key** to open the creation form.
Step 3
Name the key
Click the **Key name** field and type a descriptive label such as Reporting script. A clear name helps you remember what each key is used for.
Step 4
Review the key access
Check the Permissions options. **Full access** is selected by default, and **Only select permissions…** lets you grant the minimum your use case needs. Team access works the same way, with **Only select teams…** as the narrower choice.
Step 5
Create the key
Click **Create** to generate the key, or **Cancel** to back out. Because all actions through the key are attributed to you, only create one when you are ready to use it.
Why this matters
You want a reporting script or internal tool to read your Linear data without logging in by hand. Creating a clearly named key with only the access it needs gives that script a safe way in that you can recognise later.
Frequently asked questions
Who are actions made with an API key attributed to?
The form states that all actions taken with the key are attributed to you as an individual.
How much access does a new key get?
By default the form selects Full access and all teams you have access to. You can switch to selected permissions or selected teams.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to set personal preferences in LinearLearn how to set personal preferences in Linear: open Preferences, review your home view, and turn on pointer cursors, underlined links and your theme.
How to add attachments to issues in LinearLearn how to attach files, images, videos and links to a Linear issue, so your team has the supporting material next to the work in one place.
How to add comments to issues in LinearLearn how to add a comment to a Linear issue: open the issue, click the comment box under Activity, write your note, and post it with Submit comment.
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