Linear Inbox
Busy teams generate many changes every hour. Comments arrive, issues change status, and colleagues mention each other. The Linear inbox collects everything that needs your attention in one list, so you never search through several places for news.
What Appears in the Inbox
The inbox shows notifications about work you care about. Linear sends an item when one of these events happens.
| Event | Example |
|---|---|
| Assignment | A teammate assigns you an issue |
| Mention | Someone types your name in a comment |
| Comment | A reply lands on an issue you follow |
| Status change | An issue you created moves to Done |
| Project update | A lead posts progress on a project you follow |
Everyday Comparison
Think of a physical mailbox. Letters arrive throughout the day, and you sort them once or twice. Urgent letters get an immediate reply, junk goes in the bin, and bills wait for the weekend. The inbox works the same way, and a regular sorting habit keeps it empty.
INBOX ───────────────────────────────────────── ● ENG-204 Priya mentioned you 2m ● ENG-310 Assigned to you 1h ○ ENG-188 Status changed to Done 3h ○ Project update: Customer Portal 1d ───────────────────────────────────────── ● unread ○ read
Process Each Item
Open an item to read the context. Choose one action and move on.
| Action | Result | Use When |
|---|---|---|
| Mark as read | Removes the unread marker | You saw the update and need no action |
| Snooze | Hides the item until a chosen time | You plan to respond later |
| Delete | Clears the item from the list | The notification no longer matters |
| Open the issue | Shows the full context | The item needs a reply or work |
Use the keyboard to move through the list. The arrow keys select items, and Enter opens them. Keyboard sorting clears a full inbox in minutes.
Follow and Unfollow Issues
You follow an issue when you create it, get assigned, comment on it, or mention yourself through subscription. Following brings updates to your inbox. Open the issue and use the subscribe control to stop updates when the topic no longer concerns you. Fewer subscriptions mean a calmer inbox.
Filter the Noise
Adjust Notification Settings
Open your personal settings and choose which events reach your inbox, email, and mobile device. Keep high-value events and mute the rest.
Use Focus Time
Close the inbox during deep work. Check it at planned times, such as mid-morning and late afternoon. Constant checking breaks concentration.
Build an Inbox Routine
- Open the inbox at the start of the workday.
- Reply to mentions that need quick answers.
- Snooze items that need longer work and set a time to return.
- Delete or mark the rest as read.
- Repeat once in the afternoon.
Inbox Zero Benefits
An empty inbox proves that nothing slipped through. Teammates learn that your replies arrive on time, and trust grows. Aim for an empty list at the end of each day, and accept a short list when meetings fill the schedule.
Team Agreements for Notifications
Teams reduce noise by agreeing on shared habits. Mention a person only when you need their action. Use comments on the issue for discussion instead of private messages, so every follower sees the answer. Avoid mentioning the whole team for small updates.
Respect Time Zones
Colleagues in other regions read the inbox at different hours. Write comments that stand alone, with enough detail to act on later. A clear message saves a round trip of questions.
Handle Urgent Matters
Reserve the inbox for normal work. Use a direct call or chat message for real emergencies, then record the outcome on the issue afterward.