# GitHub MCP Server — Manage Repos & Issues from AI Tools

> GitHub official MCP server. Connect Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub for managing repos, issues, PRs, and code search via natural language.

## Install

Merge the JSON below into your `.mcp.json`:

## Quick Use

Add to your `.mcp.json` (VS Code / Claude Code):
```json
{
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}
```

Or run locally with Docker:
```bash
docker run -i --rm -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=your_token ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server
```

---

## Intro

GitHub's official MCP server — the first-party integration that connects any MCP-compatible AI tool (Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code Copilot, Windsurf) directly to GitHub. Browse repos, manage issues and PRs, trigger Actions, review security alerts, all through natural language. 28,000+ GitHub stars.

**Works with**: Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Ollama
---

## Available Toolsets

| Toolset | What It Does |
|---------|-------------|
| `repos` | Browse files, search code, manage branches, create commits |
| `issues` | Create, update, comment on issues |
| `pull_requests` | Open PRs, request reviews, merge |
| `actions` | List workflows, trigger runs, get job logs |
| `code_security` | Code scanning alerts, secret detection |
| `dependabot` | Dependency vulnerability alerts |
| `discussions` | Access GitHub Discussions |
| `notifications` | Manage notification inbox |
| `projects` | GitHub Projects board operations |

**Default**: repos, issues, pull_requests, users, context

**Enable all**: Set `GITHUB_TOOLSETS="all"`

## Configuration Examples

### Claude Code (.mcp.json with PAT)
```json
{
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN", "ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Select specific toolsets
```bash
docker run -i --rm   -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=your_token   -e GITHUB_TOOLSETS="repos,issues,pull_requests,actions"   ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server
```

### Read-only mode
```bash
docker run -i --rm   -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=your_token   -e GITHUB_READ_ONLY=1   ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server
```

## Key Tools

- `get_file_contents` — Read any file or directory
- `search_code` — Search across repositories
- `create_or_update_file` — Commit file changes
- `create_pull_request` / `merge_pull_request` — PR lifecycle
- `issue_read` / `issue_write` — Issue management
- `get_job_logs` — CI/CD debugging

## Authentication

Create a PAT at [github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new](https://github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new). Recommended scopes: `repo`, `read:packages`, `read:org`.

---



### FAQ

**Q: What is GitHub MCP Server?**
A: GitHub official MCP server. Connect Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub for managing repos, issues, PRs, and code search via natural language.

**Q: How do I install GitHub MCP Server?**
A: Check the Quick Use section above for step-by-step installation instructions. Most assets can be set up in under 2 minutes.

## Source & Thanks

> Created by [GitHub](https://github.com/github). Licensed under MIT.
> [github-mcp-server](https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server) — ⭐ 28,300+

The official GitHub MCP integration, maintained by GitHub's engineering team.

---
Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/595e3cd6-fbee-4271-8ede-e8fc1c9d8493
Author: MCP Hub