github-slim

> Github MCP server optimized for AI assistants — Reduce context window tokens by 71.5% while keeping full functionality. Compatible with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, and all MCP clients.


What is github-slim?

A token-optimized version of the Github Model Context Protocol (MCP) server.

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MCP tool schemas consume significant context window tokens. When AI assistants like Claude or ChatGPT load MCP tools, each tool definition takes up valuable context space.

The original @modelcontextprotocol/server-github loads 26 tools consuming approximately ~18,216 tokens — that's space you could use for actual conversation.

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github-slim intelligently groups 26 tools into 7 semantic operations, reducing token usage by 71.5% — with zero functionality loss.

Your AI assistant sees fewer, smarter tools. Every original capability remains available.

Performance

| Metric | Original | Slim | Reduction |
|--------|----------|------|-----------|
| Tools | 26 | 7 | -56% |
| Schema Tokens | 3,396 | 1,210 | 64.4% |
| Claude Code (est.) | ~18,216 | ~5,200 | ~71.5% |

> Benchmark Info
> - Original: @modelcontextprotocol/server-github@2025.4.8
> - Schema tokens measured with tiktoken (cl100k_base)
> - Claude Code estimate includes ~570 tokens/tool overhead

Quick Start

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``bash


Claude Desktop - auto-configure

npx github-slim --setup claude

Cursor - auto-configure

npx github-slim --setup cursor

Interactive mode (choose your client)

npx github-slim --setup
`

Done! Restart your app to use github.

> ⚠️ This MCP requires environment variables. The setup will add placeholders - update them with your actual values. See Configuration.

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`bash


Claude Code (creates .mcp.json in project root)

claude mcp add github -s project --env GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN= -- npx -y github-slim@latest

Windows: use cmd /c wrapper

claude mcp add github -s project --env GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN= -- cmd /c npx -y github-slim@latest

VS Code (Copilot, Cline, Roo Code)

code --add-mcp '{"name":"github","command":"npx","args":["-y","github-slim@latest"],"env":{"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN":""}}'
`

Configuration

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| Variable | Description | Required |
|----------|-------------|----------|
| GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN | GitHub Personal Access Token with repo scope | Yes |

Manual Setup

Click to expand manual configuration options

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Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

| OS | Path |
|----|------|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json |

`json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github-slim@latest"],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": ""
}
}
}
}
`

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Add to .cursor/mcp.json (global) or /.cursor/mcp.json (project):

`json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github-slim@latest"],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": ""
}
}
}
}
`

How It Works

MCPSlim acts as a transparent bridge between AI models and the original MCP server:

`
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Without MCPSlim │
│ │
│ [AI Model] ──── reads 26 tool schemas ────→ [Original MCP] │
│ (~18,216 tokens loaded into context) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ With MCPSlim │
│ │
│ [AI Model] ───→ [MCPSlim Bridge] ───→ [Original MCP] │
│ │ │ │ │
│ Sees 7 grouped Translates to Executes actual │
│ tools only original call tool & returns │
│ (~5,200 tokens) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
`

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1. AI reads slim schema — Only 7 grouped tools instead of 26
2. AI calls grouped tool — e.g., interaction({ action: "click", ... })
3. MCPSlim translates — Converts to original: browser_click({ ... })
4. Original MCP executes — Real server processes the request
5. Response returned — Result passes back unchanged

Zero functionality loss. 71.5% token savings.

Available Tool Groups

| Group | Actions |
|-------|---------|
| create | 4 |
| issue | 2 |
| list | 4 |
| repository | 2 |
| search | 2 |

Plus 2 passthrough tools — tools that don't group well are kept as-is with optimized descriptions.

Compatibility

- ✅ Full functionality — All original @modelcontextprotocol/server-github features preserved
- ✅ All AI assistants — Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and any MCP client
- ✅ Drop-in replacement — Same capabilities, just use grouped action names
- ✅ Tested — Schema compatibility verified via automated tests

FAQ

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No. Every original tool is accessible. Tools are grouped semantically (e.g., click, hover, drag → interaction), but all actions remain available via the action` parameter.

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AI models have limited context windows. MCP tool schemas consume tokens that could be used for conversation, code, or documents. Reducing tool schema size means more room for actual work.

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MCPSlim is a community project. It wraps official MCP servers transparently — the original server does all the real work.

License

MIT

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Powered by MCPSlim — MCP Token Optimizer


_{Reduce AI context usage. Keep full functionality.}