github-mcp

A comprehensive GitHub MCP server with OAuth Device Flow authentication and 327 endpoint coverage.

Features

- 327 GitHub API endpoints as MCP tools (vs ~50 in official server)
- OAuth Device Flow - No PAT management, just authenticate in browser
- OS Keychain storage - Secure token storage via keytar
- Real-time webhooks - GitHub events as MCP resources via smee.io
- npx installable - No Docker required

Quick Start

``bash
npx github-mcp
`

On first run:
1. Opens browser to github.com/login/device
2. Enter the displayed code
3. Token stored securely in OS keychain
4. MCP server starts with all tools available

Installation

`bash
npm install -g github-mcp
`

Or run directly:

`bash
npx github-mcp
`

Usage

$3

Add to your Claude Desktop config:

`json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@ldraney/github-mcp", "--preset", "core"]
}
}
}
`

For security-focused work:

`json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@ldraney/github-mcp", "--preset", "security"]
}
}
}
`

$3

`bash


Start server (default)

github-mcp

Auth commands

github-mcp auth login # Trigger OAuth flow
github-mcp auth logout # Remove stored token
github-mcp auth status # Check auth status

With environment token (skips OAuth)

GITHUB_TOKEN=ghp_xxx github-mcp
`

$3

Claude Desktop has a ~100 tool limit. Use presets to load only what you need:

`bash
github-mcp --preset core # Daily dev work (~109 tools)
github-mcp --preset security # Security audits (~38 tools)
github-mcp --preset org-admin # Org management (~92 tools)
github-mcp --preset cicd # CI/CD automation (~71 tools)
github-mcp --preset full # All 327 tools (Claude Code only)
`

| Preset | Categories | Use Case |
|--------|-----------|----------|
| core (default) | repos, issues, pulls, search, users, actions, gists | Daily development |
| security | dependabot, secretScanning, codeScanning, codeSecurity, securityAdvisories | Security audits |
| org-admin | orgs, teams, projects, activity, users, apps | Organization management |
| cicd | actions, checks, repos, packages | CI/CD pipelines |
| full | all 33 categories | Claude Code with tool search |

List presets: github-mcp --list-presets

Override with custom categories: github-mcp --categories repos,issues,pulls

Available Tools

Tools are organized by GitHub API category:

| Category | Examples |
|----------|----------|
| github_repos_* | list, get, create, delete |
| github_issues_* | list, get, create, update, comment |
| github_pulls_* | list, get, create, merge, review |
| github_users_* | get, list, followers |
| github_actions_* | workflows, runs, jobs |
| github_gists_* | list, get, create |
| ... | 33 categories total |

Webhook Events

When webhooks are configured, events appear as MCP resources:

`
github://webhooks/push
github://webhooks/pull_request
github://webhooks/issues
`

$3

1. Server generates a smee.io channel on first run
2. Add the channel URL as a webhook in your repo settings
3. Events stream to the MCP server in real-time

Configuration

Environment variables:

| Variable | Description | Required |
|----------|-------------|----------|
| GITHUB_TOKEN | Skip OAuth, use this token | No |
| GITHUB_CLIENT_ID | OAuth App client ID | For OAuth |
| SMEE_URL | Custom smee.io channel | No |

Comparison with Official GitHub MCP

| Feature | Official (Go) | github-mcp |
|---------|---------------|------------|
| Endpoints | ~50 | 327 |
| Auth | PAT only | OAuth Device Flow |
| Webhooks | No | Yes (smee.io) |
| Install | Docker | npx |
| Token Storage | Manual | OS Keychain |

Development

`bash
git clone https://github.com/ldraney/github-mcp.git
cd github-mcp
npm install
npm run build
npm start
``

Contact

- LinkedIn
- GitHub Issues

License

MIT