How to use Linear's backlog view
Send an issue to the backlog in Linear, then open the Backlog tab to see every parked issue in one list, away from your active work.
Quick answer
Open an issue, click its status button, and choose Backlog. The issue leaves the Active tab and moves to the Backlog tab on your team's Issues page. Open that tab any time to see everything you have parked, without clutter from active work.
Steps at a glance
- Open the issue you want to park
- Click the status button
- Choose Backlog
- Return to the team's Issues page
- Open the Backlog tab
- Review the parked issues
Interactive demo
Summary
Linear's backlog holds work you have not committed to yet. Moving an issue there keeps the Active tab focused on current work, and the Backlog tab gives you one place to review what is waiting.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open an issue to send to the backlog
Go to your team's Issues page, which opens on the **Active** tab. Click the issue you want to park, such as "Get familiar with Linear", to open its detail page.
Step 2
Open the status menu
On the issue page, find the status button in the Properties panel on the right. It shows the current status, here **Todo**. Click it to open the status menu.
Step 3
Choose Backlog as the status
The menu lists **Backlog**, **Todo**, **In Progress**, **Done**, **Canceled**, and **Duplicate**. Click **Backlog**. The issue now has the Backlog status and no longer counts as active.
Step 4
Open the Backlog tab
Go back to your team's Issues page. The **Active** list no longer shows the issue you moved. Click the **Backlog** tab next to **Active** and **All issues**.
Step 5
Review everything waiting in the backlog
The **Backlog** tab lists every issue with the Backlog status, including the one you just moved, with its ID and title. Use it to decide what to pick up next.
Why this matters
Your Active list fills up with ideas that are not ready to start. Parking them in the backlog keeps your current work readable, and you can still find every parked issue in one list when you plan what to pick up next.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move an issue out of the backlog?
Open the issue, click its status button, and pick another status such as Todo. It returns to the Active tab.
Does the Backlog tab show every issue?
No. It lists only issues with the Backlog status. The All issues tab shows the rest.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to change issue status in LinearChange 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.
How to filter issues in LinearFilter issues in Linear by status: open the filter menu, choose Status, pick Todo, check the shorter list, then clear the filter to see every issue.
How to use Linear's board viewSwitch your Linear issues from a list to a board so work shows as status columns, then scan cards and add new issues straight into a column.
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