Skip to directory

GitHub MCP

GitHub

Streamable HTTP (remote); stdio (local)4+ documented tools192

About GitHub MCP

GitHub's official MCP server gives AI clients access to GitHub repositories, issues, pull requests, actions, users, and other capabilities through configurable toolsets.

What you can use it for

  • Read repository files and metadata
  • Search and manage issues and pull requests
  • Inspect workflows and CI
  • Access organization, user, security, and project capabilities when enabled
Connection and setup
Hosting
Remote hosted or local Docker/binary
Transport
Streamable HTTP (remote); stdio (local)
Endpoint
https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/
Authentication
The GitHub-hosted remote server uses a browser-based GitHub authorization flow in supported hosts. The local server supports OAuth in supported integrations or a GitHub personal access token through GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN. Token scopes and available tools depend on configuration and GitHub permissions.

Requirements

  • GitHub account
  • MCP host supporting remote servers for hosted setup
  • Docker for documented local container setup, or Go for source build
  • GitHub authorization or a suitably permissioned personal access token for local PAT mode

Setup steps

  1. Remote: add https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/ as a Streamable HTTP MCP server in a supported client, then complete the GitHub authorization flow presented by that client.
  2. Local Docker: use ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server with stdio and configure authentication through the documented GitHub OAuth flow or GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN.
  3. Configure only needed toolsets with GITHUB_TOOLSETS; the default toolsets are context, repos, issues, pull_requests, and users. A read-only mode is available for local server configuration.
  4. Reload the client and perform a harmless read such as listing or reading an authorized repository. Check the client's GitHub permissions and selected toolsets if expected tools are unavailable.
Tools 4+

These are four exact example tool identifiers from GitHub’s official docs, not a full catalog. The server exposes a configurable and changing set controlled by toolsets, allowlists, auth, and read-only mode.

  • get_file_contents

    Read file contents from a GitHub repository.

    01
  • issue_read

    Read issue details.

    02
  • create_pull_request

    Create a pull request.

    03
  • get_gist

    Retrieve a gist.

    04

This server’s available tools can vary by account, permissions, or configuration. The list shown is not its full runtime catalog.

Limitations and notes
  • Available tool list varies by enabled toolsets, host, authentication, and account permissions.
  • Some GitHub capabilities require appropriate GitHub or Copilot plan/access.
  • GitHub Enterprise Server is not supported by the GitHub-hosted endpoint; use a local server configuration where supported.
  • Write-capable tools can alter repository content or settings; use read-only mode where appropriate.
Original sources
  • official tool reference

    Reviewed current publisher or maintainer documentation for the tool inventory, availability, endpoint, or configuration.

  • official documentation

    Reviewed current publisher or maintainer documentation for the tool inventory, availability, endpoint, or configuration.

Documentation checked 2026-10-28T00:00:00Z. Connection has not been runtime tested.

Similar tools