Overview
The GitHub MCP Server connects AI tools directly to GitHub's platform. This enables AI agents, assistants, and chatbots to read repositories and code files, manage issues and pull requests, analyze code, and automate workflows through natural language interactions. The server can be hosted remotely by GitHub (Remote GitHub MCP Server) or run locally (Local GitHub MCP Server). It supports quick one-click installation in VS Code and other MCP hosts, plus manual configuration using JSON blocks and tokens. Prerequisites include a compatible MCP host and policies, Docker for local runs, and a GitHub Personal Access Token. The system supports OAuth or PAT authentication and offers secure handling guidance for tokens. Toolsets control which GitHub APIs are exposed; default toolsets are used if none are specified. A wide range of toolsets covers contexts, repos, issues, PRs, workflows, code security, and more. The project provides extensive installation guides, enterprise cloud/ghes support, and build-from-source options for custom deployments.
Features
Remote GitHub MCP Server
GitHub-hosted remote MCP server with one-click installation in VS Code; easy setup for running the GitHub MCP Server.
Local GitHub MCP Server
Option to run the MCP server locally in a Docker container or from source.
Toolset-based API exposure
Enable/disable groups of GitHub API capabilities via --toolsets or GITHUB_TOOLSETS.
Default and all toolsets
Default toolset is applied when none specified; special 'all' toolset enables all toolsets.
OAuth and PAT authentication
Supports OAuth and Personal Access Tokens for authenticating with GitHub; guidance on secure PAT handling.
Configuration via JSON and VS Code
VS Code and other hosts can configure servers via JSON blocks with token handling.
Docker-based deployment and build-from-source
Run server via Docker; or build the binary with go build for stdio mode.
Extensive GitHub API tooling
A large set of tools/endpoints for repos, issues, PRs, actions, code scanning, dependabot, etc.
Who Is This For?
- Developers:connect AI tools to GitHub context and capabilities
- AI teams:build AI agents that operate on GitHub data
- Organizations:enterprise deployment of remote GitHub MCP Server
