linear-start

Creates a git worktree for a Linear issue using the branch name Linear provides.

Updated Nov 7, 2023
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/lstellway/nixfiles --skill linear-start-lstellway
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: linear-start
Source: https://github.com/lstellway/nixfiles/tree/main/modules/home-manager/claude/skills/linear-start
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/lstellway/nixfiles --skill linear-start-lstellway

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Starting work on a Linear issue normally requires manually copying the branch name, deciding where to put the code, and setting up a clean checkout. This Skill automates that setup by creating a git worktree with the exact branch Linear assigns, so you can begin coding immediately without touching your main checkout. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Flexible Input Parsing: Accepts either a bare issue ID (e.g. BUI-45) or a full Linear URL and extracts the issue identifier. - Linear API Integration: Fetches the issue's gitBranchName, title, and status via the Linear MCP get_issue tool, and stops safely if no branch name is provided. - Safe Worktree Creation: Checks for existing directories and local branches before running git worktree add, resuming prior sessions when the branch already exists and refusing to overwrite existing directories. - Use Case: You are assigned issue BUI-45. Invoke the Skill with the issue ID, and it creates a worktree at bui-45-frontend-buyer-guide-domain-layer on the branch logan/bui-45-frontend-buyer-guide-domain-layer, then tells you to cd into it. ## Quick Start Start work on Linear issue BUI-45 by setting up a git worktree with the branch Linear provides.

Frequently Asked Questions about linear-start

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I create a git worktree for a Linear issue?

Provide the issue ID (like BUI-45) or the full Linear URL. The Skill fetches the issue's gitBranchName from the Linear API, derives a directory name from the branch's last segment, and runs git worktree add to create an isolated checkout.

How to resume work on an existing Linear branch in a new worktree?

If the branch already exists locally, the Skill runs git worktree add with the existing branch instead of creating a new one with -b. This lets you resume a prior session in a fresh worktree directory.

What input formats does the Linear issue setup accept?

It accepts either a bare issue ID such as BUI-45 or a full Linear URL like https://linear.app/team/issue/BUI-45/some-title. The issue ID is extracted from either form, and if no input is given it asks for one.

What happens if the Linear issue has no git branch name?

The Skill stops and reports the problem instead of guessing a branch name. It relies entirely on the gitBranchName field returned by the Linear get_issue API and never derives a name on its own.

Why does worktree creation fail when the directory already exists?

The Skill checks for an existing directory before running any git commands and stops rather than overwriting it. This protects existing work; you must remove or rename the directory manually before retrying.