GitHub MCP Server

## Overview

The official GitHub MCP server from GitHub. Enables agents to work with issues, pull requests, repositories, code search, and Actions.

**Prefer [GitHub CLI](/tools/github-cli) (`gh`) for routine scoped tasks.** Use this MCP when the agent needs richer multi-step GitHub tool access inside the IDE.

## Installation

Prefer the **current upstream README** — GitHub often documents a remote/hosted MCP endpoint as the easiest host path, with local Docker / `ghcr.io` as an alternative.

Example local Docker shape (verify args against upstream before shipping):

```json
{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "github": {
        "command": "docker",
        "args": [
          "run",
          "-i",
          "--rm",
          "-e",
          "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN",
          "ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server"
        ],
        "env": {
          "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<your-token>"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Auth options (PAT vs OAuth) and host-specific config: https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server

## When to use

- Multi-step GitHub workflows inside the agent tool loop
- Structured PR/issue operations beyond a single `gh` command

## When not to use

- Listing issues, opening a PR, or checking workflow runs — use `gh` first