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OfficialDeveloper Tools

GitHub

by GitHub

Let an assistant browse repositories, triage issues, handle pull requests and check Actions runs on GitHub.

ConnectRepository(opens in a new tab)

Best for

Developers who want an assistant to read code and manage issues, pull requests and CI runs from inside their MCP client.

Connect GitHub

Recommended setup

Remote · Local

This server can run as a hosted endpoint or on your machine. The publisher's guide explains which option fits your client.

Before you connect

A personal access token's permissions decide what the assistant can do, so grant only the scopes you are comfortable giving your AI tools.

Open official setup guide(opens in a new tab)

Connection details

Hosted endpoint
https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/
Package

Docker image · stdio
ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:2.0.3

Overview

The GitHub MCP Server connects an AI assistant to GitHub: it can read repositories and code, work with issues and pull requests, and look at workflow runs. GitHub offers two ways to run it. One is a remote endpoint hosted by GitHub; the other is a local server started from a Docker image. Tools are grouped into toolsets that can be turned on or off individually, so a setup can expose only what it needs, and a read-only mode removes write tools altogether.

What it can do

  • Tools come in toolsets, for example repositories, issues, pull requests, actions and code security, that you enable one by one.
  • With read-only mode on, write tools stay unavailable even if you list them explicitly.
  • GitHub Enterprise Cloud with data residency can use the remote server; GitHub Enterprise Server needs the local server.

What you need

Sign-in and credentials

Sign in with OAuth or use a personal access token. For the remote server, OAuth works only if the MCP host app has set up a GitHub or OAuth App; a token works with any host that supports remote servers.

Request headers

The hosted endpoint asks for these headers.

  • Authorizationsecret
Runs as

Docker image

Sources

MCP Registry
Listed in the MCP Registry as io.github.github/github-mcp-server
Official docs
github.com/github/github-mcp-server
Repository
github.com/github/github-mcp-server
Last checked
Oct 31, 2026
Record reviewed
Oct 31, 2026

Statements on this page come from

Why is this labelled Official?

Registry name io.github.github/github-mcp-server. The registry only lets an organization's owners publish under its io.github.<org> namespace (registry authentication docs, read 2026-10-30). Repository github/github-mcp-server: its About description reads "GitHub's official MCP Server" (read 2026-10-30), and the README says the remote server is hosted by GitHub.

Listing on HistChat is not an endorsement or a security review. MCP servers can access data or perform actions, so review the source and permissions before connecting.

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