Build vs Linear

Issue tracker built for speed — Should you build, vibe code, or buy?

What is Linear?

Linear is a issue tracker built for speed. The company is $52m raised. With 60+ employees, Linear serves teams looking for project management solutions.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Who Should Use Linear?

Best For

• Dev Teams
• Startups
• Speed Focused

Not Ideal For

• Enterprise
• Non Dev Teams

Vibe Coding Linear

Using AI tools like Cursor and Claude, you can build a linear-like solution in 2-3 weeks for approximately $5k-15k.

What You Can Build

• Issue CRUD
• Kanban board
• Keyboard nav
• Command palette

What's Harder to Replicate

• Cycles and roadmaps
• Advanced workflows

Build a issue tracker built for speed with these core features:
- Issue CRUD
- Kanban board
- Keyboard nav

Tech stack: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Prisma, PostgreSQL, Tailwind, shadcn/ui
Include authentication, API routes, database schema, and a clean UI.

Open Source Alternatives

Before paying for Linear, consider these open source options:

Alternatives to Linear

The Bottom Line

Linear is solid, but this is a space where vibe coding works well. If you have specific requirements or want full control, consider building your own with modern AI tools.