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Alex Spinov
Alex Spinov

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Plane Has a Free API: Open-Source Project Management That Replaces Jira and Linear

#opensource #productivity #webdev #tutorial

What is Plane?

Plane is an open-source project management tool — a modern alternative to Jira, Linear, and Asana. It includes issues, cycles (sprints), modules, views, pages, and a full API.

Self-host for free. Unlimited users, unlimited projects.

Self-Host 

git clone https://github.com/makeplane/plane
cd plane
docker compose up -d
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Open http://localhost — full project management platform.

The REST API 

export PLANE_URL="https://your-plane.com/api/v1"
export PLANE_TOKEN="your-api-token"
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Workspaces 

# List workspaces
curl -s "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" | jq '.[].name'
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Projects 

# Create project
curl -X POST "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Backend API",
    "identifier": "API",
    "network": 2
  }'

# List projects
curl -s "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" | jq '.[].name'
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Issues 

# Create issue
curl -X POST "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/issues/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Fix authentication bug",
    "description_html": "<p>Users cant log in with SSO</p>",
    "priority": "urgent",
    "state": "STATE_ID",
    "assignees": ["USER_ID"]
  }'

# List issues
curl -s "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/issues/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" | jq '.results[] | {name, priority, state_detail: .state_detail.name}'

# Update issue
curl -X PATCH "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/issues/ISSUE_ID/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -d '{"priority": "high", "state": "IN_PROGRESS_STATE_ID"}'
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Comments 

curl -X POST "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/issues/ISSUE_ID/comments/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -d '{"comment_html": "<p>Fixed in PR #42</p>"}'
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Cycles (Sprints) 

# Create cycle
curl -X POST "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/cycles/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Sprint 12",
    "start_date": "2026-03-28",
    "end_date": "2026-04-11"
  }'

# Add issues to cycle
curl -X POST "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/cycles/CYCLE_ID/cycle-issues/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -d '{"issues": ["ISSUE_ID_1", "ISSUE_ID_2"]}'
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Labels 

curl -X POST "$PLANE_URL/workspaces/WORKSPACE_SLUG/projects/PROJECT_ID/labels/" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PLANE_TOKEN" \
  -d '{"name": "bug", "color": "#EF4444"}'
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Features

  • Issues: Full issue tracker with priorities, labels, assignees
  • Cycles: Sprint planning with burndown charts
  • Modules: Group issues by feature/epic
  • Views: Custom filtered views (like Linear)
  • Pages: Wiki/documentation (like Notion)
  • Analytics: Project insights and velocity tracking

Plane vs Alternatives

Feature Plane Jira Linear Asana
Open source Yes No No No
Self-host Yes DC only No No
Free users Unlimited 10 250 15
API Full REST REST GraphQL REST
Speed Fast Slow Fast Medium

Need project management automation or custom integrations?

📧 spinov001@gmail.com
🔧 My tools on Apify Store

Jira, Linear, or self-hosted? What's your PM tool?

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