How Linear sync works
What Feedvote syncs with Linear in each sync direction, how Linear states map to board statuses, and which settings control descriptions and comments.
Feedvote connects to Linear in one of two sync directions: Two-way sync or Send to Linear only. You choose the sync direction in the Linear setup under Settings > Integrations. This page explains what each sync direction does and which Linear setup options change what is synced.
The two sync directions
| Sync direction | What it does |
|---|---|
| Two-way sync | Imports Linear issues into Feedvote, and keeps both tools updated when either side changes. |
| Send to Linear only | Sends feedback created in Feedvote to Linear. Nothing is ever imported from Linear into Feedvote. |
Steps in the Linear setup
Before Linear is connected, the Linear setup shows only the Direction step. After you connect your Linear account, it shows different steps for each sync direction.
| Sync direction | Setup steps |
|---|---|
| Two-way sync | What to sync, Filters, Review & import, Statuses |
| Send to Linear only | Direction, Team, Statuses |
With Send to Linear only, you pick the Linear team under Where new Feedvote feedback goes in Linear. New feedback from Feedvote goes to this Linear team.
What two-way sync imports
In the What to sync step of Two-way sync, you choose one of three import modes:
| Import mode | What it imports |
|---|---|
| Issues only | Each Linear issue becomes a feedback post in Feedvote. |
| Projects only | Each Linear project becomes a roadmap item in Feedvote. |
| Projects + issues | Linear projects and the issues inside them, linked together in Feedvote. |
You then pick Linear teams. Everything in the selected Linear teams is imported unless you narrow the import down with filters. See Choose what to import.
When new Feedvote feedback becomes a Linear issue
Feedvote creates the Linear issue by itself. There is no button to press.
- New feedback is sent to Linear when it is created.
- If the feedback waits for approval, it is sent to Linear when you approve it.
- With Send to Linear only, the issue goes to the Linear team you chose under Where new Feedvote feedback goes in Linear.
The new Linear issue gets:
- the feedback title,
- the feedback text as the description,
- the labels that match the feedback's categories, when those categories are linked to Linear labels in the same Linear team,
- the feedback priority, when one is set.
What syncs in each direction
| What | Feedvote to Linear | Linear to Feedvote (Two-way sync only) |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Sent when the Linear issue is created. | Imported with the issue or project. |
| Description | The feedback text is sent when the Linear issue is created. | Shown publicly, in full or only the tagged part. See Descriptions below. |
| Status | Changing a status in Feedvote moves the Linear issue or project. | A state change in Linear moves the item in Feedvote. |
| Comments | Comments added in Feedvote are added to the linked Linear issue. | Synced when Sync comments from Linear is on. |
| Labels | Categories linked to Linear labels are sent when the Linear issue is created. | Used by the label filters. See Choose what to import. |
| Priority | Sent when the Linear issue is created, if set. |
Statuses and board columns
Your board has five statuses: Backlog, To Do, In Progress, Shipped and Canceled. The last step of the Linear setup is Statuses, called Name your board statuses. In this step you only rename these statuses. These are the column names your users see on the public board. Every status needs a name before you can save.
You do not pick which Linear state goes to which status. Feedvote matches them by the type of the Linear state:
| Linear issue state | Linear project status | Feedvote status |
|---|---|---|
| Triage or Backlog | Backlog | Backlog |
| Todo (not started) | Planned | To Do |
| In Progress (started) | Started or Paused | In Progress |
| Done (completed) | Completed | Shipped |
| Canceled | Canceled | Canceled |
A custom Linear state follows its type. For example, an "In Review" state of the started type shows as In Progress.
- When an issue or project changes state in Linear: with Two-way sync, the item moves to the matching Feedvote status.
- When you change the status of a linked item in Feedvote: Feedvote moves the Linear issue or project to a Linear state of the matching type. For an issue, Feedvote uses a state from the issue's own Linear team.
Descriptions
The Linear setup has a switch called Only share text inside a tag.
- On: only the text in the Linear description that is wrapped in your tag is shown publicly.
- Off: the full Linear description is shown.
Use a tag such as <public>. Avoid ## public ##, because Linear rewrites headings.
Comments from Linear
Two switches control Linear comments:
- Sync comments from Linear. When this switch is off, Linear comments are skipped entirely and the import runs much faster. Comments do not sync later for those items unless you re-import.
- Only share tagged comments. When this switch is on, only Linear comments that contain your tag appear in Feedvote. Other Linear comments stay internal. Feedvote removes the tag before the comment appears in Feedvote. When this switch is off, all synced comments appear. This switch only works while Sync comments from Linear is on.
For who Linear comments show as in Feedvote, and who Feedvote comments show as in Linear, see Authors and attribution.
How fast changes arrive
Linear tells Feedvote about changes as they happen, so most changes show up in Feedvote right away.
For a private Linear team, Feedvote checks Linear for changes about every two minutes instead, so a change shows up in Feedvote within about two minutes. See Private Linear teams.
When an issue is deleted or archived in Linear
When a linked issue or project is deleted or archived in Linear, Feedvote does not delete the item. Feedvote hides it, so only your team can see it. The item keeps its votes and comments. This matters because Linear also archives old finished issues on its own.
When you delete an item in Feedvote, Feedvote does not delete or archive the Linear issue or project.
Disconnecting Linear
Do not disconnect Linear to fix a problem or to change the setup. Disconnecting Linear deletes the synced items, votes and comments in Feedvote. To change the setup, see Connect Linear.
Common questions
Does Send to Linear only import my Linear issues?
No. With Send to Linear only, nothing is ever imported from Linear into Feedvote. Feedback created in Feedvote is sent to the Linear team you choose.
When does new feedback show up in Linear?
Feedvote creates the Linear issue when the feedback is created. If the feedback waits for approval, the issue is created when you approve it. You do not need to press a button.
Can I choose which Linear state maps to which board column?
No. Feedvote maps Linear states to the five board statuses by state type. In the Statuses step you can rename the five statuses, and those names are what your users see on the public board.
What happens when I change a status in Feedvote?
Feedvote moves the linked Linear issue or project to a Linear state of the matching type. For example, moving an item to Shipped moves the Linear issue to a completed state.
Why did an item disappear from my portal?
If its Linear issue or project was deleted or archived in Linear, Feedvote hides the item so only your team can see it. Linear also archives old finished issues on its own. The item, its votes and its comments are kept.
Where do I change the sync direction?
The Direction step is shown before Linear is connected and while you use Send to Linear only. With Two-way sync connected, the Linear setup starts at What to sync and has no Direction step, so you cannot switch the direction yourself. Contact support in writing. See Get help.
Why are Linear comments missing in Feedvote?
Check two switches in the Linear setup. If Sync comments from Linear was off during the import, comments were skipped and do not sync later unless you re-import. If Only share tagged comments is on, only Linear comments that contain your tag appear.
Can I show only part of a Linear description to customers?
Yes. Turn on Only share text inside a tag. Then only the text wrapped in your tag is shown publicly.
Can Feedvote import Linear projects instead of issues?
Yes. Choose Projects only or Projects + issues in the What to sync step of Two-way sync.