Why Linear Built an API For Agents

Cursor, the AI code editor, recently integrated with Linear, a project management tool, enabling developers to assign tasks directly to Cursor's background coding agent within Linear. The collaboration felt natural, as Cursor already used Linear internally. Linear's new agent-specific API played a key role in enabling this integration, providing agents like Cursor with context-aware sessions to interact efficiently with the platform.

Developers can now offload tasks such as fixing issues, updating documentation, or managing dependencies to the Cursor agent. However, both Linear’s Tom Moor and Cursor’s Andrew Milich emphasized the importance of giving agents clear, thoughtful input. Simply assigning vague tasks like “@cursor, fix this” isn’t effective—developers still need to guide the agent with relevant context, such as links to similar pull requests.

Milich and Moor also discussed the growing value and adoption of autonomous agents, and hinted at a future where more companies build agent-specific APIs to support these tools. The full interview is available via podcast or YouTube.

Learn more from The New Stack about the latest in AI and development in Cursor AI and Linear:  

Install Cursor and Learn Programming With AI Help

Using Cursor AI as Part of Your Development Workflow

Anti-Agile Project Tracker Linear the Latest to Take on Jira

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