MCP or Not?
OfficialClaude connector: not verified

GitHub MCP server & Claude connector

Does GitHub have an official MCP server or Claude connector?

Official

As of October 2026, GitHub publishes an official MCP server, github/github-mcp-server, available as a remote endpoint at api.githubcopilot.com and as a local Docker build. The remote server signs in with OAuth or a personal access token. It includes write tools such as merge_pull_request and delete_repository, so use read-only mode or limited toolsets.

Last checked

Verdict and evidence

What we checked
GitHub MCP Server
Published by
GitHub (official)
Runs
Hosted (remote)
Sign-in
OAuth sign-in
Stage
Generally available
Plan
README names no plan tier; remote use needs an MCP host that supports remote servers (e.g. VS Code 1.101+) and any applicable org policies enabled.
Endpoint
https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

Evidence

What an AI can do in GitHub

Read

  • Read an issueissue_read
  • Read file contentsget_file_contents

Create

  • Open a pull requestcreate_pull_request

Update

  • Create or update an issueissue_write
  • Merge a pull requestmerge_pull_request
  • Create or update a filecreate_or_update_file

Delete

  • Delete a repositorydelete_repository

Run

  • Trigger a GitHub Actions workflowactions_run_trigger

From the publisher’s documentation for the version we checked. Not every tool is listed.

Setup

VS Code

Remote server with OAuth (VS Code 1.101+).

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

Claude Code

README links to per-host guides for Claude and Cursor rather than giving snippets; the remote URL is https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/. Snippet not verified from the cited source.

Source

Safety check

  • Pass

    Publisher verified

    Repository is under the github organization on github.com and the endpoint is on githubcopilot.com, a GitHub-owned domain referenced by the vendor README.

  • Flag

    Auth model

    Remote supports OAuth, but a GitHub PAT sent as a Bearer header is also accepted; PATs are long-lived and can be broad. Local use can also use GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN.

  • Flag

    Write and delete access

    Write and destructive tools (e.g. merge_pull_request, delete_file, delete_repository) exist. A --read-only flag and toolset selection are documented; default toolsets are context, repos, issues, pull_requests, users, which include write tools.

  • Pass

    Tool-description injection scan

    Read the README tool list and toolset documentation; found no text addressed to the AI. Individual tool description strings in source were only spot-checked, not read in full.

  • Pass

    Repo maintenance

    gh api: pushed_at 2026-10-15, not archived, 33,721 stars.

FAQ

Is there an official GitHub MCP server?

Yes. github/github-mcp-server is maintained by GitHub and offers a remote endpoint and a local Docker image.

Does it work with Claude and Cursor?

It targets MCP hosts including VS Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and Windsurf. The README links to per-host guides; only the VS Code snippet was verified here.

Is there a read-only mode?

Yes. The README documents a --read-only flag that skips write tools, and toolsets let you limit what is exposed.

Is it free?

The README names no plan requirement. Check GitHub's policies for your organization or Copilot plan.

Is it the same as Claude's GitHub integration?

No. Claude's built-in GitHub integration only reads repository files; it is separate from this MCP server.

Last reviewed .

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MCP or Not: Official · Checked Oct 2026

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