Linear Diffs icon

Linear Diffs

Linear Diffs lets teams review GitHub pull requests inside Linear, with synced comments, checks, and review state. It is built for issue-linked reviews, guided PR reading, and agent-assisted code iteration.

Linear Diffs

Code review inside Linear

Linear Diffs brings pull request review into Linear so teams can read diffs, follow discussion, and complete review work alongside issues and other planning work. It connects to GitHub, shows pull request details and code changes inside Linear, and keeps review state synchronized back to GitHub.

The feature is designed for teams using agents and coding workflows that produce frequent changes. Linear describes a flow where you can review diffs from an issue with a PR, iterate with a background coding agent, and ship from Linear, while review notifications and a dedicated Reviews tab help keep the work visible.

Features

GitHub-synced pull request reviews

Open pull requests in Linear to see file changes, activity, CI checks, and associated comments without leaving the product. The review state syncs bidirectionally with GitHub.

Guided reviews in beta

Review diffs in a structured format that surfaces the core change first, separates supporting changes, and explains sections before the code details. This is aimed at making large PRs easier to scan.

Flexible diff display

Switch between Unified and Split layouts, enable line wrapping and structural highlighting, and choose custom code themes. These controls help adapt the diff view to different codebases and screen sizes.

Review inbox and notifications

Keep review work in the same place as the rest of your work through Inbox and a dedicated Reviews tab. You can also receive desktop, Slack, email, or mobile notifications for review activity.

Agent-assisted iteration

Iterate on code from the diff surface with a background coding agent. Agent changes update the diff in real time, so you can keep refining a branch without checking it out locally for every tweak.

Workspace and personal setup controls

Set up code access through the GitHub integration, keep existing pull request links and history, and adjust personal review preferences such as notifications, auto-convert draft PRs, and code theme settings.

Use cases

  • Review code from an issue

    Use Linear Diffs when a PR is attached to an issue and you want to review code without leaving the issue tracker. The review surface keeps comments, checks, and file changes connected to the surrounding work.

  • Work through large PRs

    Use guided reviews for larger pull requests where you need a clearer entry point and a summary of what changed before reading the implementation details. The structured sections reduce the need to inspect every file in sequence.

  • Organize active review work

    Use the Reviews tab and Inbox when your team handles many concurrent reviews and you need a single place for requests, mentions, and authored PRs. This helps separate review work from general notifications.

  • Iterate with coding agents

    Use the diff surface with a background coding agent when you need to keep iterating on a branch after feedback. Agent updates appear in the diff in real time, which supports small follow-up changes without repeated local checkouts.

  • Tailor review workflow per user

    Use the display controls, notification preferences, and code theme settings to match how different teammates prefer to review. Linear supports personal review settings rather than forcing one fixed workflow.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Pull requests, comments, checks, and review state stay synced with GitHub.
  • Reviews live alongside Linear’s Inbox and sidebar, which helps keep review work visible.
  • Guided reviews provide a more structured way to approach large PRs.
  • Unified and Split diff layouts give users flexibility for different review styles and screen sizes.
  • Agent changes update the diff in real time, supporting iterative review and coding workflows.

Cons

  • Guided reviews are in beta, so the format and pricing may still change.
  • Using Diffs requires GitHub code access to be enabled for the selected repositories, which adds a setup step before the full experience is available.

FAQ

How do you set up Linear Diffs?

Linear Diffs is enabled through Linear’s GitHub integration with code access. Workspace admins can turn it on by upgrading the integration for the repositories they want to review, and individual users can then choose to review diffs in Linear.

Does Linear Diffs stay in sync with GitHub?

Yes. Linear shows pull request details, changed files, checks, comments, and review activity in sync with GitHub. Approvals, change requests, and review comments update the review state in GitHub automatically.

What can you do inside a review?

Linear Diffs supports Unified and Split diff views, inline comments, reactions, review requests, and merging when you have permission. Guided reviews add a structured way to read larger pull requests.

Which plans include Diffs and Guided reviews?

Guided reviews are free during beta and available to Linear customers on Business and Enterprise plans. Linear Diffs itself is available on all plans.

How are review notifications handled?

Linear can notify you in Inbox, desktop, Slack, email, or mobile for review requests, mentions, approved PRs, and comments, with more control available in Code & reviews settings.

Quick Facts

Category
Developer Tool
Product
Linear Diffs
Source domain
linear.app
Primary workflow
Review pull requests and diffs inside Linear
Integration
GitHub
Availability
Available on all plans; Guided reviews are beta on Business and Enterprise