# Linear setup

Chat rules: [RESPONSE.md](./RESPONSE.md). Auth: [AUTH.md](./AUTH.md). Full method: [METHODOLOGY.md](./METHODOLOGY.md).

## Step 0 — auth

Probe Linear MCP. On failure → AUTH.md steps for this agent; **stop**. Never invent API calls.

## Operating order

Follow **in sequence**. Early gates exist because getting them wrong corrupts live workflows.

### 1. Already tracked? (§1a)

Search Linear by repo name **and** ask the user. Never assume blank slate.

- **Nothing** → fresh bootstrap; continue.
- **Exists** → STOP. Enumerate issues/milestones/labels/docs/status updates → summarize → per-category yes/no **before any write**. Extend conservatively. Scan repo for unmirrored roadmap docs (§4.7).

### 2. North Star (§1b)

README-as-vision is usually enough — say the call out loud. Question 5 (why track?) picks the shape — see METHODOLOGY goal→shape table.

### 3–4. Type + structure (§2–§3)

Suggested types: Product / Tool / Drop / Marketing. Milestones 1:1 with real phases. Separate engineering / launch / rollout tracks. Dates only with a real signal. Prefer §17 if shape is unclear.

### 5. Backfill (§4)

CHANGELOG > roadmap > git log. Feature-level default; per-release for launched packages. Done only with evidence. Doc “done” ≠ proof — corroborate (§4.8).

### Writing (tickets)

Titles ≤8 words. Descriptions ≤3 sentences or ≤5 bullets. Comments ≤3 lines. Screenshots over prose (§10).

### 6. Wire (§4, §10, §11)

Real `blockedBy`/`blocks`. Surface UI-only items early (§11). Add README as Linear project document.

### 7. Install discipline (§5)

Write the tracking protocol into always-loaded agent instructions (`CLAUDE.md` / `AGENTS.md` / `.cursor/rules/`) with real team/project/milestone names. Bootstrap is not done without this.

### 8. Honesty (§6, §9)

Status updates at milestone/health moments only. `atRisk` before dates slip.

### 9. Done check (§18, §26)

Rubric ≥16/20 with no load-bearing 0, or full §26 audit.

## After setup

Point user to always-on (if missing) via `finish linear-tracking install`. Optional Cursor weekly health: [AUTOMATION.md](./AUTOMATION.md). One next action.