GitHub MCP Server: Connect AI to Your GitHub Workflow
TL;DR: GitHub MCP server lets Claude manage your repos, PRs, and issues through conversation. Use the remote server (OAuth, zero setup) or local with your token. Game-changer for code review triage.
Last week I reviewed 47 pull requests in 3 hours. Not by reading each one manually — by asking Claude: "Review the open PRs in my-project, flag anything that touches authentication."
That's the GitHub MCP server in action.
What Can You Do?#
With github mcp connected, your AI becomes a GitHub power user:
| You say... | AI does... |
|---|---|
| "Create an issue for the login bug" | Calls create_issue, opens #234 |
| "What's blocking v2.0 release?" | Searches issues tagged 'release-blocker' |
| "Summarize changes in PR #89" | Reads diff, explains the refactor |
| "Find all files using deprecated API" | Searches code across repos |
25+ Tools Available#
| Category | Tools |
|---|---|
| Issues | create, search, update, close |
| Pull Requests | create, review, merge, comment |
| Code | search, read files, write with commit |
| Branches | list, create, delete |
| Workflows | trigger, view status |
Two Ways to Connect#
Remote Server (Recommended)#
No installation needed. OAuth authentication, automatic updates.
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
}
}
}
Complete OAuth when prompted. You're connected.
Local Server#
Run your own instance with a Personal Access Token:
GITHUB_TOKEN=ghp_xxxx npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-github
Which to choose?
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Personal projects | Remote server |
| Enterprise Cloud | Remote server |
| Air-gapped / Enterprise Server | Local |
| Offline development | Local |
Real Workflows#
Code Review Triage#
"List all open PRs that haven't been reviewed"
AI: Found 7 unreviewed PRs. #342 adds rate limiting (2 days old). #339 fixes N+1 query (3 days old)...
"Summarize #342"
AI: Adds RateLimiter middleware with 100 req/min default. New Redis dependency. Tests included but missing Redis failure case.
Issue Management#
"Find bugs from last week"
AI: 12 issues tagged 'bug': #501 Login fails on Safari iOS 17 (P1, unassigned)...
"Assign #501 to me and add 'in-progress'"
AI: Done. Updated issue #501.
Automated Changelog#
"Generate changelog from v1.2.0 to main"
AI: Features: Dark mode toggle (#87), Webhook retries (#92). Fixes: Memory leak (#89), Timezone handling (#91).
Git MCP vs GitHub MCP#
Common question: what's the difference?
| Feature | Git MCP | GitHub MCP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Local .git directory | GitHub's remote API |
| Operations | commit, branch, diff, log | issues, PRs, code search |
| Auth | None (local files) | OAuth or PAT |
| Use case | Work with local changes | Manage remote repos |
They're complementary. Many developers use both:
- Git MCP for local commits and diffs
- GitHub MCP for PRs and issue management
Security Features#
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| OAuth 2.1 | Secure authentication for remote server |
| Lockdown Mode | Sanitizes content from untrusted contributors |
| Tool Configuration | Enable only the tools you need |
| SAML Enforcement | Works with enterprise SSO |
For public repos with external contributors, use lockdown mode to prevent prompt injection through issue descriptions.
Troubleshooting#
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Server not found | Verify Node.js is installed: which npx |
| OAuth redirect fails | Allow popups for github.com |
| Rate limit exceeded | Wait 1 hour or use authenticated requests |
| Server disconnects | Check logs: claude mcp logs github |
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is the GitHub MCP Server?#
The GitHub Model Context Protocol server is GitHub's official MCP implementation. It exposes GitHub's API to any MCP-compatible AI like Claude, Cursor, or VS Code Copilot.
Is it free?#
Yes. MIT license for local server. Remote server is free for all GitHub users.
What's the difference between Git and GitHub MCP Server?#
Git MCP handles local repository operations (commits, branches). GitHub MCP accesses GitHub's remote API (issues, PRs, code search).
Which AI tools work with it?#
VS Code 1.101+, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and any MCP-compatible host.
Get Started#
- Add the remote server to your config
- Complete OAuth authentication
- Try: "List my open PRs"
The github mcp server turns your AI into a GitHub power user.
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