Linear Autopilot

SKILL.md

---
name: linear-autopilot
version: 1.0.2
description: Automate Linear task processing with Discord notifications and git sync. Use when setting up a kanban-to-agent workflow where Linear tasks trigger Clawdbot actions via Discord. Handles task intake, status updates, DM notifications, and auto-push to git. Supports any task type - research, content creation, code tasks, or custom workflows.
author: vincentchan
---

# Linear Autopilot

> **🔒 Security Note:** This skill mentions API keys, tokens, and webhook URLs because it teaches you how to set up integrations with Linear, Discord, and automation services (Make.com, Pipedream, Zapier). These are necessary for the tutorial — the skill does NOT collect or transmit your credentials. All setup happens on your local machine and the services you configure.

Automated pipeline: **Linear → Webhook Service → Discord → Clawdbot → Git**

Tasks created in Linear automatically trigger Clawdbot processing with real-time notifications and git sync for Obsidian/local access.

## Free Tier Limitations

Before setup, be aware of free plan limits:

| Service | Free Tier Limits | Recommendation |
|---------|------------------|----------------|
| **Linear** | 250 issues, unlimited members | Sufficient for most personal/small team use |
| **Make.com** | 1,000 ops/month, 2 scenarios, 15-min interval | ✅ **Best free option** — generous limits |
| **Pipedream** | ~100 credits (unclear reset), instant triggers | Good if you need real-time, burns credits fast |
| **Zapier** | 100 tasks/month, 5 zaps, 15-min polling, **no webhooks** | ⚠️ Paid plan required for this workflow |

**Important notes:**
- **Make.com** offers 1,000 ops/month free — our recommendation for free tier users
- **Pipedream** has instant webhooks but limited free credits that deplete quickly
- **Zapier** free plan does NOT support webhooks. You need a paid Zapier plan (Starter+)
- For budget-conscious users: **use Make.com**

## Setup

### 1. Configure Linear API

Run setup to store your Linear API key:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.clawdbot
echo "LINEAR_API_KEY=lin_api_xxxxx" > ~/.clawdbot/linear.env
```

Get your API key from: Linear → Settings → API → Personal API keys

### 2. Get Linear IDs

Find your team and state IDs:

```bash
./scripts/linear-api.sh teams    # Get team ID
./scripts/linear-api.sh states   # Get state IDs (Todo, In Progress, Done)
```

Update `~/.clawdbot/linear-config.json`:

```json
{
  "teamId": "your-team-id",
  "states": {
    "todo": "state-id-for-todo",
    "inProgress": "state-id-for-in-progress",
    "done": "state-id-for-done"
  },
  "discord": {
    "notifyUserId": "your-discord-user-id",
    "taskChannelId": "your-linear-tasks-channel-id"
  },
  "git": {
    "autoPush": true,
    "commitPrefix": "task:"
  }
}
```

### 3. Set Up Webhook Service

Choose your preferred automation platform:

#### Option A: Make.com (Recommended for free tier)
- 1,000 operations/month free
- 15-minute minimum interval on free tier
- See `references/make-setup.md` for step-by-step guide

Quick setup:
1. Create scenario at make.com
2. Add Linear "Watch Issues" trigger
3. Add filter: state.name = "Todo"
4. Add Discord webhook action
5. Activate scenario

#### Option B: Pipedream (If you need instant triggers)
- Instant webhook triggers
- Limited free credits (deplete fast)
- See `references/pipedream-setup.md` for step-by-step guide

Quick setup:
1. Create workflow at pipedream.com with HTTP webhook trigger
2. Add Linear webhook pointing to your Pipedream URL
3. Add Discord "Send Message" step with Clawdbot bot token
4. Message template:
   ```
   <@BOT_ID>
   📋 New task: {{steps.trigger.event.data.title}}
     Status: {{steps.trigger.event.data.state.name}}
     ID: {{steps.trigger.event.data.identifier}}
   ```

#### Option B: Zapier (If you have a paid account)
- 100 tasks/month on free (very limited)
- Native Linear + Discord integrations
- See `references/zapier-setup.md` for step-by-step guide

Quick setup:
1. Create Zap: Linear (New Issue) → Discord (Send Channel Message)
2. Use webhook or bot integration for Discord
3. Map Linear fields to message template

### 4. Configure Discord Channel

Ensure Clawdbot listens to your task channel. In `clawdbot.json`:

```json
{
  "channels": {
    "discord": {
      "guilds": {
        "YOUR_GUILD_ID": {
          "channels": {
            "YOUR_TASK_CHANNEL_ID": {
              "allow": true,
              "requireMention": false
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Task Processing Workflow

When a task arrives in the Discord channel:

### 1. Acknowledge
- Reply in channel confirming receipt

### 2. Notify User via DM
```
Use message tool:
- action: send
- target: [user ID from config]
- message: "📋 New task: [ID] - [title]. Starting now..."
```

### 3. Process Task
- Update Linear status → "In Progress" via `./scripts/linear-api.sh start [task-id]`
- Execute the task (spawn sub-agent if complex)
- Save outputs to appropriate location (research/, content/, etc.)

### 4. Complete
- Update Linear status → "Done" via `./scripts/linear-api.sh done [task-id]`
- Add comment with results via `./scripts/linear-api.sh comment [task-id] "[summary]"`
- Send completion DM to user

### 5. Git Sync (if enabled)
```bash
git add [output files]
git commit -m "task: [ID] - [title]"
git push
```

## Script Reference

`scripts/linear-api.sh` commands:

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `teams` | List teams and IDs |
| `states` | List workflow states |
| `get [id]` | Get task details |
| `pending` | List pending tasks |
| `start [id]` | Mark as In Progress |
| `done [id]` | Mark as Done |
| `comment [id] "text"` | Add comment to task |

## Example Task Types

This workflow handles any task type:

- **Research**: Spawn sub-agent, save to `research/[topic].md`
- **Content creation**: Generate drafts, save to `content/`
- **Code tasks**: Write/modify code, commit changes
- **Data processing**: Run scripts, output results
- **Custom**: Define your own output patterns

## Troubleshooting

**Tasks not triggering?**
- Check Pipedream workflow is enabled
- Verify Discord channel is in Clawdbot config
- Ensure `allowBots: true` if using webhook

**Linear API errors?**
- Verify API key in `~/.clawdbot/linear.env`
- Check team/state IDs are correct

**Git push failing?**
- Ensure git remote is configured
- Check SSH key or credentials