Linear Command Menu
The command menu is a single search box that controls almost everything in Linear. Instead of hunting through buttons and panels, you type what you want and press Enter. Regular users save many clicks every day.
Open the Command Menu
Press Cmd + K on a Mac or Ctrl + K on Windows and Linux. A panel opens in the center of the screen. The cursor waits inside the search field.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Type a command or search... │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Assign to... A │ │ Change status... S │ │ Set priority... P │ │ Add label... L │ │ Go to Cycles │ │ Switch team │ └──────────────────────────────────────────┘
Everyday Comparison
A television remote with a hundred buttons confuses most people. A voice command like "play news" gets results at once. The command menu works like the voice command. You name the goal, and Linear finds the path.
What the Menu Can Do
| Task | What to Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Find an issue | Part of the title or the number | Linear lists matching issues |
| Change status | Status | A list of statuses opens |
| Assign work | Assign | A list of team members opens |
| Add a label | Label | Available labels appear |
| Move to a page | Go to followed by a name | Linear opens that page |
| Create an issue | Create issue | The new issue form opens |
Context Matters
The menu reacts to your current view. Open an issue and run "Change status", and the command applies to that issue. Select five issues in a list and run the same command, and Linear updates all five. This behavior makes bulk edits quick.
Learn Shortcuts Through the Menu
Many commands show a keyboard hint on the right side. Each time you use a command, glance at the hint. After a few repetitions, your fingers learn the key and you skip the menu. The menu works as a teacher for faster habits.
Practice Exercise
- Open any issue.
- Press Cmd/Ctrl + K.
- Type "assign" and select your name.
- Open the menu again, type "status", and select In Progress.
- Open the menu once more, type "label", and select a label.
Three property changes take about ten seconds with no mouse.
Search With Confidence
Short Queries Work
Type two or three words from a title. Linear matches partial text.
Search by Number
Type an identifier like ENG-204 to jump straight to the issue.
Search Across Items
Results include issues, projects, and documents, so one box covers most lookups.
Good Habits
- Reach for the menu before the mouse.
- Combine selection with commands for bulk updates.
- Watch the hints and memorize the shortcuts you use daily.
- Explore the menu list once. Commands you never noticed often solve problems quickly.
Customize Your Workflow Around the Menu
Treat the menu as the front door for your daily routine. Start the morning by opening it and jumping to your assigned issues. Move between teams without touching the sidebar. Switch the theme when the room gets bright. Each small saving adds up across a week.
Team Adoption Tips
Show new teammates the menu during onboarding. A five-minute demo pays off quickly. Encourage people to share favorite commands in the team channel. Veterans often know shortcuts that newcomers never find alone.
Troubleshooting
If the menu does not respond, check that the browser tab has focus and that no other app claims the same key combination. Some browser extensions capture Cmd/Ctrl + K. Disable the extension or change its shortcut to restore the menu.