MCP server

GitHub MCP Server

Repos, issues, pull requests, Actions, code scanning and Copilot coding agent, hosted or local. Official: built and maintained by GitHub. It runs as a hosted remote server: nothing to install. Setup below for 13 clients (checked 2026-10-25). Repo and registry data checked 2026-10-24.

Maintainer: Official · GitHub
Runs: Remote
Repo: github/github-mcp-server
GitHub: ★ 33,925, last push 2026-10-23 (checked 2026-10-24)
License: MIT
URL: https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/
Registry: io.github.github/github-mcp-server
Connects to: GitHub, GitHub Actions
DevHunt: GitHub on DevHunt

Install the GitHub MCP Server

Pick your client. Remote first: nothing to install, and you sign in with OAuth where the client supports it. Config shapes checked against each client's docs on 2026-10-25.

The URL also takes Authorization as a header (see its docs), for clients without OAuth sign-in.

Run in a terminal, then /mcp inside Claude Code to sign in. Add --scope project to share it via .mcp.json. docs

claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

Customize > Connectors > Add > Add custom connector, paste this URL and sign in. It syncs to Claude Desktop and mobile. docs

https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

The free plan allows one custom connector. On Team and Enterprise an owner adds it under Organization settings > Connectors.

chatgpt.com/plugins > + > Add custom MCP server, paste the URL, set up sign-in and create it as a plugin. Then @-mention it in a chat. docs

https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

Workspace admins can turn custom MCP plugins off.

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (all projects) or .cursor/mcp.json (this project), or use the install button. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Add to Cursor

Add to .vscode/mcp.json (note the "servers" key and the type), or use the install button. Command Palette > "MCP: Open User Configuration" for all workspaces. docs

{
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Add to VS Code

Run codex mcp add github --url https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/ (then codex mcp login github), or add this to ~/.codex/config.toml. The CLI, IDE extension and Codex app share it. docs

[mcp_servers.github]
url = "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"

Run in a terminal (-s user adds it for all projects), then /mcp auth to sign in. In ~/.gemini/settings.json the key is httpUrl. docs

gemini mcp add -s user --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

Run in a terminal; it writes ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json. docs

copilot mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

Add to mcp_config.json: ~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json on macOS and Linux (older installs: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json), %APPDATA%\devin\ on Windows. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "serverUrl": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Add to Zed's settings.json (or Settings > AI > MCP Servers > Add Server). Remote servers without an Authorization header sign in with OAuth. docs

{
  "context_servers": {
    "github": {
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Add to opencode.json in the project (or ~/.config/opencode/opencode.json). Sign in with opencode mcp auth github. docs

{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "github": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}

Add to ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json (all projects) or .kiro/settings/mcp.json (this project). docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

MCP Servers > Configure > Configure MCP Servers opens cline_mcp_settings.json; add this entry. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "streamableHttp",
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Tools it exposes

Tools come in toolsets. The default set is context, repos, issues, pull_requests and users; add others (actions, code_security, dependabot, discussions, projects...) with GITHUB_TOOLSETS or the toolsets setting.

get_me: Your user profile
search_repositories: Search repositories
get_file_contents: Get file or directory contents
search_code: Search code
create_or_update_file: Create or update a file
push_files: Push files to a repository
create_branch: Create a branch
list_issues: List issues
issue_write: Create or update an issue
add_issue_comment: Comment on an issue or pull request
create_pull_request: Open a pull request
pull_request_read: Get a pull request's details
pull_request_review_write: Create and submit pull request reviews
merge_pull_request: Merge a pull request
actions_list: List GitHub Actions workflows and runs
get_job_logs: Get workflow job logs

From the project's own tool list, checked 2026-11-07. Tools change between releases; your client lists the current ones after you connect.

Security notes

The --read-only flag (GITHUB_READ_ONLY=1 in Docker) offers only read tools: nothing gets pushed, merged or deleted.
The README has a token security section: give the personal access token only the scopes the toolsets you enable need.
The remote server runs at api.githubcopilot.com, hosted by GitHub. You sign in with OAuth in clients that support it, or with Authorization header where OAuth isn't available, and it acts with your account's permissions.
It can change code and repositories. Review what it writes before you push.

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FAQ

What does the GitHub MCP Server do?+

Repos, issues, pull requests, Actions, code scanning and Copilot coding agent, hosted or local. Its tools include get_me, search_repositories, get_file_contents, search_code and create_or_update_file.

Is the GitHub MCP server official?+

Official: built and maintained by GitHub.

How do I add GitHub to Claude Code?+

Run: claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/, then /mcp inside Claude Code to sign in. Add --scope project to share it with your team through .mcp.json.

How do I use the GitHub MCP server in Cursor or VS Code?+

Open the Cursor or VS Code tab above: it has the mcp.json entry and a one-click install link. Cursor uses the "mcpServers" key; VS Code uses "servers" and needs a type ("http").

Does GitHub work in ChatGPT and claude.ai?+

Yes, it has a remote URL (https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/). In claude.ai add it under Customize > Connectors > Add custom connector; in ChatGPT under chatgpt.com/plugins > Add custom MCP server.

What are the alternatives to the GitHub MCP server?+

Other developer tools & git MCP servers: Keploy, Mobilerun, Azure DevOps, MATLAB and Docker MCP Gateway.

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