GitHub MCP Server
GitHub's official MCP server: code, issues, pull requests, Actions and security alerts straight from the agent
- 34,064 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Broad access
Why this level
- Can create and modify issues, pull requests and repository files
- Operates with an access token to the GitHub account
Install
- Works in
Manual install
{
"servers": {
"github": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
}
}
}Remote server with OAuth login, requires VS Code 1.101 or later.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- Can create and modify issues, pull requests and repository files
- Operates with an access token to the GitHub account
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server gives the agent GitHub tools: read files and commit history, search repositories, create and update issues and pull requests. The agent can inspect GitHub Actions runs and dig into build failures, read Dependabot alerts and code scanning results, and work with discussions and notifications. Tools are grouped into toolsets that can be enabled separately. There is a remote version hosted by GitHub and a local Docker version that also covers GitHub Enterprise Server.
Who it is for. For developers and maintainers who run projects on GitHub and want the agent to handle repository chores.
Good fit when
- You need to analyze a failed workflow and propose a fix
- You need to triage or close many issues
- You need to open a pull request and respond to review comments
Not a fit when
- Your code lives in GitLab, Bitbucket or a self-hosted Gitea
- Local git and the gh CLI are enough for the agent
Example request
Check why the latest CI run failed on this pull request and suggest a fixMCP
- Transport
- http
- Authentication
- key is optional
Environment variables
GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKENsecret- GitHub personal access token for the local server; OAuth login is used without it
GITHUB_HOST- GitHub Enterprise Server or ghe.com hostname, https only
Limitations
The remote server lives at api.githubcopilot.com and needs a host that supports remote MCP and OAuth. The local version needs Docker plus a personal access token or OAuth login. GitHub Enterprise Server is supported only by the local server.
How to disable. Remove the github server from the client's MCP config, in Claude Code with claude mcp remove github. Revoke the issued token in GitHub settings.
FAQ
Which version should I pick?
Remote is simpler: no Docker, and OAuth handles the token. Local is for GitHub Enterprise Server and hosts without remote MCP.
What scopes should the token have?
The README advises minimal scopes: repo for repositories, read:packages and read:org only if needed.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Entries that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Entry | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub MCP Server (this entry) | no | key is optional | 34,064 | |
| gh-axi | no | 349 | a GitHub CLI wrapper for agents | |
| GitLab MCP Server (Yoda Digital) | no | API key | 65 | a GitLab MCP with 86 tools |
| Paws-on-MCP | no | not required | 326 | a teaching MCP server in Python |
README in short
The README lists use cases: repository management, issue and PR automation, CI and code analysis, team collaboration. For the remote server it gives VS Code JSON snippets with OAuth and with a token, an Insiders mode and ghe.com setup, with separate guides for other clients. The local server runs from the ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server image, with advice on storing tokens safely and a GITHUB_HOST variable for Enterprise. MIT licensed.