# Read-only shutdown note after cutover

> After the migration is complete, put the old tool into read-only mode or shut off access and announce that change in the shared support channel.

- Canonical HTML: https://growth.iangoh.com/growth-ideas/read-only-shutdown-note-after-cutover/
- Source: [linear.app](https://linear.app/switch/migration-guide)
- GrowthDex source hub: [Linear](/sources/linear-linear-app/)
- Last checked: 2026-05-26
- Rarity: common
- Budget: free
- Channels: Product, Internal Comms, Operations
- Stages: switching, cutover, change management, adoption


## Why this can grow

A switch stays fuzzy when the old tool still feels half-alive. People keep hedging, reopening old habits, and splitting context across two systems. A formal read-only step creates a clean mental line: the old tool is now reference material, not the place where new work should happen. Pairing it with one clear internal message reduces silent backsliding and makes the new default real.

## Ian's take

From scaling consumer platforms across MENA and Southeast Asia, my default is to distrust growth work that only looks good in a slide. My bias is to treat this as a small market test first. Make the audience narrow, make the promise concrete, and let the first real response decide whether it deserves more work. I would run it small enough to learn quickly, then only scale the parts that real users repeat, save, reply to, or buy from. For this tactic, I would watch one clear growth signal before putting more time or budget behind it.

## Action plan

1. Define one narrow startup segment where read-only shutdown note after cutover can create a measurable lift.
2. Turn the tactic into one offer, page, campaign, or workflow for the Product and Internal Comms channel.
3. Use the evidence from linear.app to set the first version of the message, format, and audience.
4. Launch a small test for 7 to 14 days with one success metric: one measurable growth signal.
5. Review the result, keep the winning message, remove weak variants, and turn the learning into a repeatable growth playbook.

## Source-backed example

Linear's migration guide says to shut off access to the previous tool or put it in read-only mode, then send a message in the team Slack channel that the previous issue tracker is no longer available.

## Adjacent tactics in the same lane

- [Shared language guide before org-wide rollout](/growth-ideas/shared-language-guide-before-org-wide-rollout/) - same source, 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- [Fewer teams first before workspace sprawl](/growth-ideas/fewer-teams-first-before-workspace-sprawl/) - same source, 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- [Integration cutover checklist before tracker switch](/growth-ideas/integration-cutover-checklist-before-tracker-switch/) - same source, 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- [Hidden-work audit from switch pilot](/growth-ideas/hidden-work-audit-from-switch-pilot/) - same source, 2 shared channels, 1 shared stage

## Read GrowthDex essays

Browse the plain-English essay index at [GrowthDex Blog](/blog/).

## Related GrowthDex essays

- [The switch feels real when the old habits have nowhere to hide](/blog/the-switch-feels-real-when-the-old-habits-have-nowhere-to-hide/) - switching, product operations, brand trust

## Advisory

If you want help turning this into a working growth system, Ian Goh offers advisory at https://iangoh.com/advisory.