# Linear Upgrade Migration

> Upgrade Linear SDK versions and migrate breaking changes. Use when updating to a new SDK version, handling deprecations, or migrating between major Linear API versions. Trigger with phrases like "upgrade linear SDK", "linear SDK migration", "update linear", "linear breaking changes", "linear deprecation".

- Skill: `tools-only/linear-upgrade-migration` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/linear-upgrade-migration`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/linear-upgrade-migration/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- License: MIT
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/linear-upgrade-migration

---


# Linear Upgrade Migration

## Overview
Safely upgrade Linear SDK versions and handle breaking changes.

## Prerequisites
- Existing Linear integration
- Version control (Git) configured
- Test suite for Linear operations

## Instructions

### Step 1: Check Current Version
```bash
# Check installed version
npm list @linear/sdk

# Check latest available version
npm view @linear/sdk version

# Check changelog
npm view @linear/sdk changelog
```

### Step 2: Review Breaking Changes
```bash
# View version history
npm view @linear/sdk versions --json | jq -r '.[-10:][]'

# Check GitHub releases for migration guides
open https://github.com/linear/linear/releases
```

### Step 3: Create Upgrade Branch
```bash
git checkout -b upgrade/linear-sdk-vX.Y.Z
```

### Step 4: Update SDK
```bash
# Upgrade to latest
npm install @linear/sdk@latest

# Or upgrade to specific version
npm install @linear/sdk@X.Y.Z

# Check for type errors
npx tsc --noEmit
```

### Step 5: Common Migration Patterns

#### Pattern A: Renamed Fields
```typescript
// Before (deprecated)
const issue = await client.issue("ABC-123");
console.log(issue.state); // Old field name

// After (new version)
const issue = await client.issue("ABC-123");
const state = await issue.state; // Now returns Promise
console.log(state?.name);
```

#### Pattern B: Changed Return Types
```typescript
// Before: Direct object return
const teams = await client.teams();
teams.forEach(team => console.log(team.name));

// After: Paginated connection
const teams = await client.teams();
teams.nodes.forEach(team => console.log(team.name));
```

#### Pattern C: New Required Parameters
```typescript
// Before
await client.createIssue({ title: "Issue" });

// After: teamId is required
await client.createIssue({
  title: "Issue",
  teamId: team.id, // Now required
});
```

#### Pattern D: Removed Methods
```typescript
// Check if method exists before using
if (typeof client.deprecatedMethod === "function") {
  await client.deprecatedMethod();
} else {
  await client.newMethod();
}
```

### Step 6: Create Compatibility Layer
```typescript
// lib/linear-compat.ts
import { LinearClient, Issue } from "@linear/sdk";

// Wrapper for breaking changes
export class LinearCompatClient {
  private client: LinearClient;

  constructor(apiKey: string) {
    this.client = new LinearClient({ apiKey });
  }

  // Normalize different SDK versions
  async getIssue(identifier: string): Promise<{
    id: string;
    title: string;
    stateName: string;
  }> {
    const issue = await this.client.issue(identifier);
    const state = await issue.state;

    return {
      id: issue.id,
      title: issue.title,
      stateName: state?.name ?? "Unknown",
    };
  }

  // Add backward-compatible methods as needed
}
```

### Step 7: Run Tests
```bash
# Run test suite
npm test

# Run type checking
npx tsc --noEmit

# Run linting
npm run lint
```

### Step 8: Test in Staging
```bash
# Deploy to staging
npm run deploy:staging

# Run integration tests against staging
npm run test:integration
```

### Step 9: Gradual Rollout
```typescript
// Feature flag for new SDK behavior
const USE_NEW_SDK = process.env.LINEAR_SDK_V2 === "true";

async function getIssues() {
  if (USE_NEW_SDK) {
    // New SDK logic
    return newGetIssues();
  } else {
    // Legacy SDK logic
    return legacyGetIssues();
  }
}
```

## Version Compatibility Matrix

| SDK Version | Node.js | TypeScript | Key Changes |
|-------------|---------|------------|-------------|
| 1.x | 14+ | 4.5+ | Initial release |
| 2.x | 16+ | 4.7+ | ESM support |
| 3.x | 18+ | 5.0+ | Strict types |

## Common Breaking Changes

### SDK 1.x to 2.x
```typescript
// 1.x: CommonJS
const { LinearClient } = require("@linear/sdk");

// 2.x: ESM
import { LinearClient } from "@linear/sdk";

// Update package.json
{
  "type": "module"
}
```

### SDK 2.x to 3.x
```typescript
// 2.x: Loose types
const issue: any = await client.issue("ABC-123");

// 3.x: Strict types
const issue: Issue = await client.issue("ABC-123");
// Must handle nullable fields
const state = await issue.state;
if (state) {
  console.log(state.name);
}
```

## Rollback Procedure
```bash
# If upgrade fails, rollback
git checkout main
npm install @linear/sdk@PREVIOUS_VERSION
npm run test
git commit -am "Rollback Linear SDK to PREVIOUS_VERSION"
```

## Error Handling During Migration
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| `Property does not exist` | Renamed field | Check migration guide |
| `Type not assignable` | Changed type | Update type annotations |
| `Module not found` | ESM/CJS mismatch | Update import syntax |
| `Runtime method missing` | Version mismatch | Check SDK version |

## Resources
- [Linear SDK Changelog](https://github.com/linear/linear/blob/master/packages/sdk/CHANGELOG.md)
- [Linear API Changelog](https://developers.linear.app/docs/changelog)
- [TypeScript Migration](https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/migrating-from-javascript.html)

## Next Steps
Set up CI/CD integration with `linear-ci-integration`.