Configure the MCP Server

• Choose an MCP-compatible client. This article includes validated setup steps for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and Copilot Chat (VS Code).
• Other MCP-compatible clients such as Cursor, Zed, and Codex can also connect to the same LinearB MCP endpoint, but setup may differ by client.
• Authenticate using your LinearB API key (passed as the x-api-key header).
• After setup, restart the tool (for example, Claude Desktop or VS Code) so it can discover MCP tools.
• Use the Prompts panel (Claude Desktop) or your MCP-compatible client to run LinearB-aware queries.

What you’ll need

• Your LinearB API key
• Claude Desktop installed (for Option 1)
• Node.js (for Option 1)
• Homebrew (optional, Mac only, for installing Node.js)
• VS Code + Copilot Chat (optional, for the VS Code integration)

Select the instructions that match your environment. Additional MCP-compatible clients such as Cursor, Zed, and Codex can also connect to the same LinearB MCP endpoint, but their configuration steps may differ.

• Option 1: Claude Desktop (mcp-remote + JSON)
• Option 2: Claude Code (single CLI command)
• Optional: Copilot Chat (VS Code) using mcp.json

1. Run node --version to check if Node.js is installed.

• If Node.js is installed, you’ll see a version number (for example, v18.x.x).
• If Node.js is not installed, install it using one of the methods below.

2. Install mcp-remote globally: npm install -g mcp-remote
3. Locate the executable paths:

• Node path: which node
• mcp-remote path: which mcp-remote

On Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell), use:

• where node
• where mcp-remote

4. Save both paths — you’ll paste them into Claude’s config.
5. In Claude Desktop, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config.
6. Add the following JSON block:

{
            "mcpServers": {
              "linearb": {
                "command": "FULL_PATH_TO_NODE",
                "args": [
                  "FULL_PATH_TO_MCP_REMOTE",
                  "https://mcp.linearb.io/mcp",
                  "--header",
                  "x-api-key: YOUR-API-KEY"
                ]
              }
            }
          }

7. Replace the placeholders:

• FULL_PATH_TO_NODE: output from which node / where node
• FULL_PATH_TO_MCP_REMOTE: output from which mcp-remote / where mcp-remote
• YOUR-API-KEY: your LinearB API key

8. Save the config file, then restart Claude Desktop.

To use the LinearB MCP server inside GitHub Copilot Chat (VS Code), add an MCP configuration file.

1. Create or update the file:
   /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Code/User/mcp.json
2. Add the following configuration:

{
            "inputs": [
              {
                "id": "linearb-api-key",
                "type": "promptString",
                "description": "LinearB API Key",
                "password": true
              }
            ],
            "servers": {
              "linearb": {
                "type": "http",
                "url": "https://mcp.linearb.io/mcp",
                "headers": {
                  "x-api-key": "<TOKEN>"
                }
              }
            }
          }

3. Save the file.

When you open VS Code:

• A Start button appears at the top of the MCP Servers list.
• Click Start to launch the LinearB MCP server.
• VS Code prompts for your API key and discovers the LinearB MCP tools.
• After discovery, Copilot Chat can use the MCP tools.

4. Restart Claude Desktop (if you’re also using Claude Desktop) to ensure it reloads MCP configuration.

If you’re using Claude Code, you don’t need to edit a JSON file manually. Run a single command to register the LinearB MCP server:

claude mcp add --transport http linearb https://mcp.linearb.io/mcp --header "x-api-key: LINEARB_API_TOKEN"

Replace LINEARB_API_TOKEN with your actual LinearB API key.

Once configured, the MCP server allows you to:

• Authenticate securely with your LinearB API key.
• Apply consistent configuration across environments.
• Access extended capabilities beyond the public API (where supported by LinearB MCP tools).
• Use LinearB-specific prompts in supported clients.

1. Open Claude Desktop. From the welcome screen, you’ll see the main prompt bar.
2. Click +, then select Add from LinearB Metrics to load the LinearB prompts.
3. Once enabled, these prompts appear in Claude and can be used to generate PR reports, lead time reports, merge rate reports, and other LinearB-specific outputs.

Exploring the Power of LinearB’s MCP Server