What does a Linear programmer do?
A linear programmer builds software integrations that connect external systems to the Linear issue tracking platform using its GraphQL API and webhook infrastructure. This role focuses on automating workflows by synchronizing data between Linear workspaces and other tools without relying on manual updates or inefficient polling methods. The developer writes code that listens for specific events within Linear, such as issue creation or status changes, and triggers corresponding actions in downstream services like continuous integration pipelines or custom dashboards. By implementing secure and efficient data exchange mechanisms, the linear programmer ensures that project information remains consistent across all connected platforms in real time.
- Design and implement GraphQL queries and mutations to read, create, and update Linear entities such as issues, comments, and projects while optimizing payload size to reduce network overhead and avoid rate-limit pressure on the API.
- Create and maintain webhook consumers that serve as publicly accessible HTTPS endpoints to receive change-event payloads from Linear, verifying payload authenticity via shared-secret signatures before processing the data to trigger downstream automations.
- Configure API authentication using Linear API keys or OAuth applications with precise permission scopes, ensuring that the integration accesses only the necessary resources and maintains security best practices for credential management and token rotation.
How to hire a Linear programmer on Upwork
Step 1: Post a job
Define the specific GraphQL queries and webhook consumers you need to automate your Linear workspace. The Job Post Generator powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI helps you draft this post by describing your needs in a few sentences. You can write a new post, update a saved draft, or reuse an existing post to start hiring.
- Specify which Linear entities require automation, such as issues, comments, or projects, to guide candidate proposals.
- List required tools like Python for backend logic or specific webhook hosting platforms like Vercel or Cloudflare Functions.
- Clarify if the role involves migrating from polling-based systems to real-time webhook event handling for better performance.
Step 2: Evaluate candidates
Look for portfolios that demonstrate secure API integrations and reliable event-driven architectures. Uma can run instant video interviews and build shortlists with side-by-side comparisons to help you assess technical fit quickly.
- Review code samples showing GraphQL mutation implementations that update Linear entities without causing rate-limit errors.
- Check for experience verifying webhook payload authenticity using shared-secret signatures to prevent unauthorized access.
- Identify candidates who document their OAuth application setups and API key management practices clearly in README files.
Step 3: Interview your top choices
Discuss how candidates handle edge cases in webhook delivery and API response parsing. Interviews can be scheduled and conducted within Upwork Messages with an immediate transcript and summary after each one.
- Ask how they optimize GraphQL queries to fetch only necessary fields and reduce data transfer overhead.
- Question their strategy for retrying failed webhook events to maintain data consistency across systems.
- Explore their approach to securing API credentials and managing permissions for different team scopes.
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
Set clear milestones for building the webhook consumer and testing GraphQL mutations. Use Upwork Messages and the contract workroom for communication and project management, plus identity verification, payment protection, hourly tracking, and project funds for security.
- Define deliverables such as a deployed HTTPS endpoint that returns HTTP 200 status codes upon receiving Linear payloads.
- Establish testing criteria for automations triggered by issue creation or status updates in your Linear teams.
- Require documentation that explains how to configure API access and rotate secrets for long-term maintenance.
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