# How to create a project in Linear on Mac: step by step with templates

> How to create a project in Linear on Mac: open Projects, click the + button, name it and pick a status. Steps, templates, shortcuts and limits.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-a-project-in-linear
Updated: 2026-11-08

To create a project in Linear on Mac, open the Projects view for your workspace or team and click the + button. Name the project and pick a status, because those are the only two required fields.

## Quick answer

- Open the Projects view in the Linear desktop app, then click the + button.
- Only the name and status are required. Lead, icon, overview, labels and teams are optional.
- Dates sit in the right sidebar. Press ⌘I to toggle the project details sidebar.
- For a template, click New Project from a project view, or press ⌘K and search for the template command.

Applies to: Linear desktop app for macOS (Apple silicon and Intel) and Linear on the web. Time: 5 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- A Linear workspace with at least one team you can access
- The Linear desktop app for macOS, or Linear in a browser
- Permission to create projects in that team, which Linear's docs do not spell out
- A project name and a status

## How to Create a new project in Linear on Mac in Linear on a Mac

1. **Open the Projects view.** (Projects view) Open the Projects view in the Linear desktop app. Use the team view when one team owns the project. The lead team also decides which statuses you can use, so pick the team that will lead it. Tip: Projects on private teams are visible only to people with access. If you expect a view and can't see it, check that team's access.
2. **Click the + button.** (Projects view > + button) Click the + button. Linear opens a prompt for the project's properties. This is the create route in Linear's Projects docs. Tip: Linear's docs don't list a macOS menu bar item for this, so the + button is the reliable route.
3. **Type the project name.** (Properties prompt > Name) Type the project name. Name is required. Pick a name your team will recognize in a list of projects.
4. **Pick a status.** (Properties prompt > Status) Choose a status. Status is also required. The options come from the lead team, so they can differ between teams. Custom statuses are for Business and Enterprise plans. Tip: If the status you expect is missing, check the lead team, then open the list again.
5. **Add the optional details.** (Properties prompt > Lead) Add a lead, an icon, an overview, labels and teams if you know them. All of these are optional. You can add teams later from the project details page by clicking the team name.
6. **Set the dates in the sidebar.** (Project > Right sidebar > Start date) Shortcut: ⌘I. Set a start date and a target date in the right sidebar. Pick the precision that fits: year, half-year, quarter, month, or day. Press ⌘I if the project details sidebar is hidden. Tip: A new project with no start date gets today's date in the lead team's timezone, per a 2026-11-04 fix.
7. **Confirm and open the project.** Confirm the prompt to create the project. It opens, and you can keep editing its details from the project overview page. Check the name and status once more before you move on.
8. **Create from a template instead.** (Project view > New Project > Template option) Shortcut: ⌘K. From a project view or the roadmap (now called Initiatives in some places), click New Project. Pick the template option beside the team identifier, in the top left of the create window. Or press ⌘K and search for create new project from template.
9. **Add existing issues with ⇧P.** (Issue list > Selected issues) Shortcut: ⇧P. Select the issues you want, then press ⇧P. Linear adds them to the project. If an issue already belongs to a project, ⇧P moves it. Once issues are selected, ⌘K opens the command bar.

## Before you start: app, access and team

You need a Linear workspace and access to at least one team. Projects live in a workspace, and most are tied to a team. If you don't see any team, ask a workspace admin to add you. Check this first. It saves you from hunting for a button you can't use.

Linear's Mac app runs on Apple silicon and on Intel Macs. It updates itself in the background. You can also do everything from a browser. Linear says nearly all desktop features are on the web too. It describes offline mode as a failsafe, not a full feature.

- A workspace you belong to, with at least one team you can access.
- The Linear desktop app for macOS, or Linear open in a browser.
- Permission to create projects in that team. Linear's docs don't spell this out.
- A rough name for the project and a team that will lead it.

## Create a project in Linear on Mac from the Projects view

This is the route Linear's own docs describe. Open the Projects view, click the + button, and Linear shows a prompt for the project's properties. That prompt is where you name the project and choose its status. Everything else can wait, so you can finish the rest later.

![Person working on a MacBook at a desk while planning a project](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-project-in-linear/how-to-create-a-project-in-linear-1-9dc37a.jpg)

## What the project properties prompt asks for

The prompt is short on purpose. Name and status are required. Lead, icon, overview, labels and teams are optional, and so are the dates. The table below shows where each field lives and what it does.

| Field | Required | What to know |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | Yes | The title you and your team will search for. |
| Status | Yes | The lead team decides which statuses are available. |
| Lead | No | The person who owns the project day to day. |
| Teams | No | Add them at creation, or later from the project details page. |
| Start and target dates | No | Right sidebar. Year, half-year, quarter, month, or day precision. |
| Labels, icon, overview | No | Optional. Add them now or come back later. |

_Fields in the Linear project prompt, with required status marked._

## Set start and target dates on a Linear project

Dates sit in the right sidebar of the project. You can pick year, half-year, quarter, month, or day precision. Choose the coarsest precision that fits the plan. A project planned for next quarter does not need a day. You can also edit dates from the properties on the project overview page.

Leaving the start date empty has a default. A 2026-11-04 changelog entry says a new project with no start date now gets today's date in the lead team's timezone. Before that fix, Linear used the UTC date. If your project shows the wrong day, check the lead team's timezone first.

## Create a project from a template in Linear on Mac

Templates help when you start the same kind of project often. Linear documents two routes. In the first, you open a roadmap or project view, click New Project, and pick the template option beside the team identifier. In the second, you press ⌘K and search for create new project from template.

- The template option sits in the top left of the create window, beside the team identifier.
- Templates can belong to one team. A missing template often means you are creating under a different team.
- Workspace-level templates are available to every team.
- A 2026-10-22 fix made template label defaults match between the web app and the API.

Here is a worked example. Say you lead the marketing team and run a launch every spring. Build one template with the stages every launch needs. Next spring, open the marketing team's project view, pick that template, and change the name, dates and lead. You skip the setup and keep the structure.

## Create with Agent: draft a project before you name it

On 2026-09-03, Linear added a Create with Agent option to the project creation page. It drafts a project with Linear Agent, and the draft saves as you work. Use it when you have a rough brief but no clean name or overview yet. Read every field before you confirm, because the draft is only a starting point.

![Desk with a laptop and notebook used for project planning](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-project-in-linear/how-to-create-a-project-in-linear-3-0d4775.jpg)

## Plan limits and team count before you add a team

Team count matters once a workspace grows. Linear's pricing page lists three plans you will see most. The Free plan costs $0 and allows 2 teams and 250 issues. Basic costs $10 per user per month billed yearly, with 5 teams. Business costs $16 per user per month billed yearly, with unlimited teams.

- **2** teams allowed on Linear's Free plan, which also caps issues at 250 ([source](https://linear.app/pricing))
- **$10** per user per month for Basic, billed yearly, with 5 teams ([source](https://linear.app/pricing))
- **$16** per user per month for Business, billed yearly, with unlimited teams ([source](https://linear.app/pricing))

Sub-teams and releases are not included on Free or Basic. Business includes one level of sub-teams. Enterprise allows five levels. Custom project statuses and labels are for Business and Enterprise plans, so check your plan before you assume something is broken.

## Add existing issues to a project with ⇧P

A new project starts empty. You can add issues that already exist, or create new ones inside the project. To add existing issues, select them in the issue list and press ⇧P. Linear adds the selected issues to the project. If an issue already belongs to a project, ⇧P moves it.

Once issues are selected, ⌘K opens the command bar. Linear's select-issues page says so. That page does not mention ⇧P, so test the shortcut on one issue before you move a long list.

> **Create issues from the project view:** Linear's docs say C creates a new issue from the project view. Use it when the project already has a clear goal. The guide to creating issues covers the fields you will see.

## Desktop app or browser: which to use on a Mac

Use the Mac app if you live in Linear all day. The desktop app adds OS notifications, unread counts on the Dock, and tabs. Use the browser on a shared or temporary Mac. Either route creates the same kind of project in the same workspace.

## Who can create projects, and why the button might be missing

Linear's member and role docs do not say which roles can create projects. They also do not say what happens when a user lacks permission. If the + button is missing, check your role and the team's access settings first. Then ask a team owner or workspace admin.

Guests can access projects only for teams they were explicitly added to. Inside those teams, guests can take the same actions as members. Only team owners can add guest users, and guest accounts need a Business or Enterprise plan. Projects on private teams are visible only to people with access.

![Small team reviewing project plans on laptops in an office](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-project-in-linear/how-to-create-a-project-in-linear-2-e063ef.jpg)

## Common mistakes when you create a project in Linear

- Looking for a File menu item. Linear's docs describe the + button and the ⌘K command bar instead.
- Creating under the wrong team, then wondering where the template went.
- Skipping the lead team. It decides which statuses the project can use.
- Expecting custom statuses on a Free or Basic plan.
- Searching for Roadmaps. The docs say they are now called Initiatives, which you enable in workspace settings.
- Assuming a project on a retired team is still editable. A project tied only to retired teams is read-only.

Most of these come down to the team. Decide the team and the lead team first, then fill in the rest. The fields are the easy part once the team is right.

## Edge cases: retired teams, private teams and projects across teams

A project linked only to retired teams becomes read-only. If it is also linked to an active team, it stays editable. Projects from other teams can be viewed unless those teams are private. If you can't find a project someone else made, ask which team it sits under.

The docs do not say which team's view to use when a project spans several teams. Use the lead team as your anchor, because it controls statuses. Add the other teams from the project details page by clicking the team name.

## Next steps after you create the project

Once the project exists, set a lead and a target date, then add issues. Keep the first set small. You can always add more with ⇧P. When you create issues next, read [How to create an issue in Linear on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-an-issue-in-linear). For faster navigation, see [How to open the command menu in Linear on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/open-the-command-menu-in-linear).

![Desk with a laptop and notebook used for project planning](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/create-a-project-in-linear/how-to-create-a-project-in-linear-3-0d4775.jpg)

Product managers who run several projects can also read [Linear for product managers on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/for/product-managers/linear). It covers board shortcuts and plan limits in more depth.

## Where the facts on this page come from

Every fact on this page comes from Linear's own docs, changelog and pricing page, checked on 2026-11-09. Linear changes its app often. If a menu label has moved, check the Projects docs first.

## Shortcuts

- Open the command bar: ⌘K
- Toggle the project details sidebar: ⌘I
- Add or move selected issues to a project: ⇧P
- Create a new issue from the project view: C

## If it does not work

- **I can't find the + button in the Projects view** Make sure you are in a Projects view, not an issue list. Check that you belong to a team with access. If the team is private, ask a team owner or workspace admin to check your access.
- **The template I want is missing** Templates can be team specific. Look at the team beside the team identifier in the create window, switch to the team that owns the template, and open the window again. Workspace-level templates show for every team.
- **The status list doesn't match what I expect** The lead team decides which statuses the project can use. Pick the right lead team and check again. Custom statuses need a Business or Enterprise plan.
- **The start date is a day I didn't choose** A project with no start date gets today's date in the lead team's timezone. Set the start date yourself in the right sidebar if you want another day. The default changed on 2026-11-04 from the UTC date.
- **The project is read-only** A project linked only to retired teams is read-only. A project that is also linked to an active team stays editable, so add an active team from the project details page.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where is the + button for projects in Linear?”: Lazur circles the + button and labels it on your screen. It does not click the button for you. (Points at it)

## FAQ

### Is there a File > New Project menu item in Linear on Mac?

Linear's docs describe the + button in the Projects view and the ⌘K command bar. I could not find a File menu entry for projects in the macOS menu bar, so start from the + button.

### Which keyboard shortcut creates a project in Linear?

The docs list no shortcut that creates a project directly. Press ⌘K, then search for create new project from template. The docs list ⌘I, ⇧P and C for other project tasks.

### Do I need to fill in every field when I create a project?

No. Only the name and status are required. Lead, icon, overview, labels and teams can wait, and you can set dates later from the right sidebar.

### Can I add a team after I create the project?

Yes. Open the project details page and click the team name. Linear's docs say teams can be added at creation or later.

### Can a guest create a project in Linear?

Linear's docs do not say which roles can create projects. Guests can only access projects for teams they were added to, and they act like members in those teams. Ask a team owner if the button is missing.

### What is Create with Agent in Linear?

On 2026-09-03, Linear added an option on the project creation page to draft a project with Linear Agent. Drafts save automatically as you work. Review the name, status and dates before you confirm.

### Do I need the latest Linear Mac app to create projects?

The macOS desktop app updates itself in the background. Linear's docs say auto updates can be turned off, so check that your copy is current if a feature looks missing.

## Sources

1. [Projects: Linear Docs](https://linear.app/docs/projects), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
2. [Project templates: Linear Docs](https://linear.app/docs/project-templates), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
3. [Download Linear: Linear Docs](https://linear.app/docs/get-the-app), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
4. [Teams: Linear Docs](https://linear.app/docs/teams), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
5. [Members and roles: Linear Docs](https://linear.app/docs/members-roles), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
6. [Select issues: Linear Docs](https://linear.app/docs/select-issues), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
7. [Priority inbox / Draft projects with Linear Agent: Linear Changelog](https://linear.app/changelog/2026-09-03-priority-inbox), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
8. [New controls for Linear coding agent: Linear Changelog](https://linear.app/changelog/2026-09-24-new-controls-for-linear-coding-agent), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
9. [Mobile Diffs: Linear Changelog](https://linear.app/changelog/2026-11-04-mobile-diffs), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
10. [More ways to run and share Loops: Linear Changelog](https://linear.app/changelog/2026-10-22-slack-and-github-loops), Linear, checked 2026-11-09
11. [Linear Pricing](https://linear.app/pricing), Linear, checked 2026-11-09