Linear open-only pilot import before archive drag
Pilot the migration with a few teams and open issues first before dragging years of stale backlog into the evaluation workspace.
Why this can grow a startup
A switch stalls when the first demo workspace already feels bloated, historical, and hard to parse. Linear's importer docs are blunt about that tradeoff: some teams use the move as a clean break, some keep a fuller history, and evaluators often start by importing only a few teams. Pair that with the option to bring only open issues while sending old work to the archive, and the trial starts to feel like current work instead of a museum of the old system.
Company example
Linear recommends considering whether old data needs to live in the new workspace at all, suggests piloting with just a few teams during evaluation, and lets import assistants bring only open issues or also place closed and stale work into the archive.
Source and metric
Source: Linear Docs: Importer · Browse Linear Docs: Importer tactics
Linear import assistants let teams choose open issues only or also import closed and stale issues into the archive, and the docs recommend piloting with just a few teams during evaluation.
When to use it
Use this when Migration, Onboarding, Developer Tools is relevant to switcher intent, activation, migration and you can run a bounded test with a low budget.
When not to use it
Do not use it as a substitute for customer evidence, a clear owner, or a measurable stop condition. Local platform rules and market behavior still need checking.
Founder checklist
- Read Linear Docs: Importer and identify what is directly supported.
- Choose one channel context: Migration, Onboarding, Developer Tools.
- Define the test around Linear import assistants let teams choose open issues only or also import closed and stale issues into the archive, and the docs recommend piloting with just a few teams during evaluation..
- Set an owner, evidence window, and stop condition before launch.
Explore the context
Apply this with an operator
Choose product surfaces that compound distribution without hiding weak activation or retention.