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Setting up the GitHub MCP Server

Learn how to configure the GitHub Model Context Protocol (MCP) server.

The GitHub MCP server is available to all GitHub users regardless of plan type. However, specific tools within the MCP server inherit the same access requirements as their corresponding GitHub features. If a feature requires a paid GitHub or Copilot license, the equivalent MCP tool will require the same subscription. For example, tools that interact with Copilot Coding Agent require a paid Copilot license.

À propos du serveur MCP GitHub

Le serveur MCP GitHub est un serveur MCP (Model Context Protocol) fourni et gĂ©rĂ© par GitHub. Le protocole MCP vous permet d’intĂ©grer des capacitĂ©s d’IA Ă  d’autres outils et services, amĂ©liorant ainsi votre expĂ©rience de dĂ©veloppement grĂące Ă  une assistance IA contextuelle.

Pour une prĂ©sentation complĂšte du serveur MCP GitHub et une vue d’ensemble de MCP, consultez À propos du protocole MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Prerequisites

  • A GitHub account.
  • Visual Studio Code.
  • Si vous ĂȘtes membre d’une organisation ou d’une entreprise avec un plan Copilot Business ou Copilot Enterprise, la stratĂ©gie « Serveurs MCP dans Copilot Â» doit ĂȘtre activĂ©e pour pouvoir utiliser MCP avec Copilot.

Setting up the GitHub MCP server in Visual Studio Code

The GitHub MCP server in Visual Studio Code can be configured remotely or locally. The remote GitHub MCP server is hosted by GitHub and is the recommended option for most users. The local GitHub MCP server is hosted on your machine and is recommended for users who want to customize their setup or have specific security requirements.

The steps below describe remote configuration with one-click OAuth authentication. For information on manually configuring the remote or local GitHub MCP server, see the GitHub MCP server documentation.

  1. Go to the GitHub page of the MCP Registry.
  2. Click Install MCP server and select Install in Visual Studio Code.
  3. In Visual Studio Code, on the GitHub MCP Server configuration page, click Install.
  4. In the popup, when prompted to authenticate, click Allow.
  5. In your browser, you will be prompted to authorize. To the right of your profile picture, click Continue.
  6. Follow the prompts on screen to complete the authorization process.
  7. To check that the GitHub MCP server is configured correctly, open the command palette by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) / Command+Shift+P (Mac).
  8. Type and select MCP: List Servers. You should see github listed as a configured server.

Tool configuration

The GitHub MCP server supports installing individual toolsets, either in read-only mode or with full read/write access, via the --toolsets flag. For more information, see Tool Configuration in the GitHub MCP server documentation.

À propos du serveur MCP GitHub

Le serveur MCP GitHub est un serveur MCP (Model Context Protocol) fourni et gĂ©rĂ© par GitHub. Le protocole MCP vous permet d’intĂ©grer des capacitĂ©s d’IA Ă  d’autres outils et services, amĂ©liorant ainsi votre expĂ©rience de dĂ©veloppement grĂące Ă  une assistance IA contextuelle.

Pour une prĂ©sentation complĂšte du serveur MCP GitHub et une vue d’ensemble de MCP, consultez À propos du protocole MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Prerequisites

  • Access to Copilot. Consultez Qu'est-ce que GitHub Copilot ?.
  • Visual Studio version 17.14 or later. For more information on installing Visual Studio, see the Visual Studio downloads page.
  • Sign in to GitHub from Visual Studio.
  • Si vous ĂȘtes membre d’une organisation ou d’une entreprise avec un plan Copilot Business ou Copilot Enterprise, la stratĂ©gie « Serveurs MCP dans Copilot Â» doit ĂȘtre activĂ©e pour pouvoir utiliser MCP avec Copilot.

Setting up the GitHub MCP server in Visual Studio

The instructions below guide you through setting up the GitHub MCP server in Visual Studio. Other MCP-compatible editors may have similar steps, but the exact process may vary.

The remote GitHub MCP server uses one-click OAuth authentication by default, but you can also manually configure it to use a personal access token (PAT) for authentication. If you use OAuth, the MCP server can only access the scopes you approve during sign-in. In organization-owned contexts, access may also be limited by admin policies that control which scopes and apps are permitted. If you use a PAT, the MCP server will have access to the scopes granted by the PAT, which is also subject to any PAT restrictions configured by the organization.

Remarque

If you are an Enterprise Managed User, then PAT is disabled by default, unless enabled by an enterprise administrator. If PAT is disabled, you won't be able to use PAT authentication. If you have OAuth access policy restrictions, you will need the OAuth App for each client (MCP host application) to be enabled (except Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio).

For information on setting up the GitHub MCP server locally, see the GitHub MCP server documentation.

Remote MCP server configuration with OAuth

You do not need to create a PAT or install any additional software to use the remote GitHub MCP server with OAuth. You can set it up directly in Visual Studio.

  1. In the Visual Studio menu bar, click View, then click GitHub Copilot Chat.

  2. At the bottom of the chat panel, select Agent from the mode dropdown.

  3. In the Copilot Chat window, click the tools icon, then click the plus icon in the tool picker window.

  4. In the "Configure MCP server" pop-up window, fill out the fields.

    1. For "Server ID", type github.
    2. For "Type", select "HTTP/SSE" from the dropdown.
    3. For "URL", type https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/.
  5. Click Save. The configuration in the mcp.json file should look like this:

    JSON
        {
          "servers": {
            "github": {
              "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
            }
          }
        }
    
  6. In the mcp.json file, click Auth from the CodeLens above the server to authenticate to the server. A pop-up will come up allowing you to authenticate with your GitHub account.

Remote MCP server configuration with PAT

To configure the remote GitHub MCP server with a PAT, ensure you have created a PAT with the necessary scopes for the access you want to grant to the MCP server. For more information, see Gestion de vos jetons d'accĂšs personnels.

  1. In the Visual Studio menu bar, click View, then click GitHub Copilot Chat.

  2. At the bottom of the chat panel, select Agent from the mode dropdown.

  3. In the Copilot Chat window, click the tools icon, then click the plus icon in the tool picker window.

  4. In the "Configure MCP server" pop-up window, fill out the fields.

    1. For "Server ID", type github.
    2. For "Type", select "HTTP/SSE" from the dropdown.
    3. For "URL", type https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/.
    4. Add a new header under "Headers", called "Authorization" and set to the value Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT, replacing "YOUR_GITHUB_PAT" with your PAT.
  5. Click Save. The configuration in the mcp.json file should look like this:

    JSON
      {
        "servers": {
            "github": {
                "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
                "requestInit": {
                    "headers": {
                        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
                    }
                }
            }
        }
      }
    

For more information on configuring MCP servers in Visual Studio, see Use MCP servers in Visual Studio (Preview) in the Visual Studio documentation.

À propos du serveur MCP GitHub

Le serveur MCP GitHub est un serveur MCP (Model Context Protocol) fourni et gĂ©rĂ© par GitHub. Le protocole MCP vous permet d’intĂ©grer des capacitĂ©s d’IA Ă  d’autres outils et services, amĂ©liorant ainsi votre expĂ©rience de dĂ©veloppement grĂące Ă  une assistance IA contextuelle.

Pour une prĂ©sentation complĂšte du serveur MCP GitHub et une vue d’ensemble de MCP, consultez À propos du protocole MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Prerequisites

  • Access to Copilot. Consultez Qu'est-ce que GitHub Copilot ?.

  • A compatible JetBrains IDE. GitHub Copilot is compatible with the following IDEs:

    • IntelliJ IDEA (Ultimate, Community, Educational)
    • Android Studio
    • AppCode
    • CLion
    • Code With Me Guest
    • DataGrip
    • DataSpell
    • GoLand
    • JetBrains Client
    • MPS
    • PhpStorm
    • PyCharm (Professional, Community, Educational)
    • Rider
    • RubyMine
    • RustRover
    • WebStorm
    • CĂŽtĂ© Ă©criture

    Consultez le l’outil de recherche pour trouver les IDE JetBrains Ă  tĂ©lĂ©charger.

  • DerniĂšre version de l’extension GitHub Copilot. Consultez le plug-in GitHub Copilot dans la place de marchĂ© JetBrains. Pour obtenir des instructions d’installation, consultez Installation de l’extension GitHub Copilot dans votre environnement.

  • Connectez-vous Ă  GitHub dans votre IDE JetBrains. Pour obtenir des instructions d’authentification, consultez Installation de l’extension GitHub Copilot dans votre environnement.

  • Si vous ĂȘtes membre d’une organisation ou d’une entreprise avec un plan Copilot Business ou Copilot Enterprise, la stratĂ©gie « Serveurs MCP dans Copilot Â» doit ĂȘtre activĂ©e pour pouvoir utiliser MCP avec Copilot.

Setting up the GitHub MCP server in JetBrains IDEs

The instructions below guide you through setting up the GitHub MCP server in JetBrains IDEs. Other MCP-compatible editors may have similar steps, but the exact process may vary.

The remote GitHub MCP server uses one-click OAuth authentication by default, but you can also manually configure it to use a personal access token (PAT) for authentication. If you use OAuth, the MCP server can only access the scopes you approve during sign-in. In organization-owned contexts, access may also be limited by admin policies that control which scopes and apps are permitted. If you use a PAT, the MCP server will have access to the scopes granted by the PAT, which is also subject to any PAT restrictions configured by the organization.

Remarque

If you are an Enterprise Managed User, then PAT is disabled by default, unless enabled by an enterprise administrator. If PAT is disabled, you won't be able to use PAT authentication. If you have OAuth access policy restrictions, you will need the OAuth App for each client (MCP host application) to be enabled (except Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio).

For information on setting up the GitHub MCP server locally, see the GitHub MCP server documentation.

Remote MCP server configuration with OAuth

You do not need to create a PAT or install any additional software to use the remote GitHub MCP server with OAuth. You can set it up directly in JetBrains IDEs.

  1. Dans le coin inférieur droit, cliquez sur .

  2. Dans le menu, sĂ©lectionnez « Ouvrir la conversation Â» Assurez-vous d’ĂȘtre en mode Assistant, puis cliquez sur l’icĂŽne Outils (appelĂ©e « Configurer votre serveur MCP Â») en bas de la fenĂȘtre de conversation.

  3. Cliquez sur Ajouter des outils MCP.

  4. In the mcp.json file, add the following configuration:

    JSON
    {
      "servers": {
          "github": {
              "type": "http",
              "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
          }
      }
    }
    
  5. In the "GitHub Copilot" popup that says the "MCP server definition wants to authenticate to GitHub, click Allow.

  6. If you have not yet authorized the GitHub Copilot plugin, in the browser popup, click Continue next to your personal account.

Remote MCP server configuration with PAT

To configure the remote GitHub MCP server with a PAT, ensure you have created a PAT with the necessary scopes for the access you want to grant to the MCP server. For more information, see Gestion de vos jetons d'accĂšs personnels.

  1. Dans le coin inférieur droit, cliquez sur .
  2. Dans le menu, sĂ©lectionnez « Ouvrir la conversation Â» Assurez-vous d’ĂȘtre en mode Assistant, puis cliquez sur l’icĂŽne Outils (appelĂ©e « Configurer votre serveur MCP Â») en bas de la fenĂȘtre de conversation.
  3. Cliquez sur Ajouter des outils MCP.
  4. In the mcp.json file, add the following configuration, replacing YOUR_GITHUB_PAT with the PAT you created:
JSON
  {
    "servers": {
        "github": {
            "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
            "requestInit": {
                "headers": {
                    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
                }
            }
        }
    }
  }

À propos du serveur MCP GitHub

Le serveur MCP GitHub est un serveur MCP (Model Context Protocol) fourni et gĂ©rĂ© par GitHub. Le protocole MCP vous permet d’intĂ©grer des capacitĂ©s d’IA Ă  d’autres outils et services, amĂ©liorant ainsi votre expĂ©rience de dĂ©veloppement grĂące Ă  une assistance IA contextuelle.

Pour une prĂ©sentation complĂšte du serveur MCP GitHub et une vue d’ensemble de MCP, consultez À propos du protocole MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Prerequisites

Setting up the GitHub MCP server in Xcode

The instructions below guide you through setting up the GitHub MCP server in Xcode. Other MCP-compatible editors may have similar steps, but the exact process may vary.

The remote GitHub MCP server uses one-click OAuth authentication by default, but you can also manually configure it to use a personal access token (PAT) for authentication. If you use OAuth, the MCP server can only access the scopes you approve during sign-in. In organization-owned contexts, access may also be limited by admin policies that control which scopes and apps are permitted. If you use a PAT, the MCP server will have access to the scopes granted by the PAT, which is also subject to any PAT restrictions configured by the organization.

Remarque

If you are an Enterprise Managed User, then PAT is disabled by default, unless enabled by an enterprise administrator. If PAT is disabled, you won't be able to use PAT authentication. If you have OAuth access policy restrictions, you will need the OAuth App for each client (MCP host application) to be enabled (except Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio).

For information on setting up the GitHub MCP server locally, see the GitHub MCP server documentation.

Remote MCP server configuration with OAuth

You do not need to create a PAT or install any additional software to use the remote GitHub MCP server with OAuth. You can set it up directly in Xcode.

  1. Ouvrez l’extension GitHub Copilot pour Xcode et accĂ©dez Ă  « ParamĂštres Â».

    • Vous pouvez Ă©galement, dans un espace de travail Xcode actif, trouver les paramĂštres en cliquant sur Éditeur dans la barre de menu, en sĂ©lectionnant GitHub Copilot, puis en cliquant sur Ouvrir GitHub Copilot pour les paramĂštres Xcode.
  2. SĂ©lectionnez l’onglet MCP, puis cliquez sur Modifier la configuration.

  3. Add the following configuration:

    JSON
    {
      "servers": {
          "github": {
              "type": "http",
              "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
          }
      }
    }
    
  4. In the "GitHub Copilot" popup that says the "MCP Server Definition wants to authenticate to GitHub", click Continue.

  5. If you have not yet authorized the GitHub Copilot plugin, in the browser popup, click Continue next to your personal account.

Remote MCP server configuration with PAT

To configure the remote GitHub MCP server with a PAT, ensure you have created a PAT with the necessary scopes for the access you want to grant to the MCP server. For more information, see Gestion de vos jetons d'accĂšs personnels.

  1. Ouvrez l’extension GitHub Copilot pour Xcode et accĂ©dez Ă  « ParamĂštres Â».
    • Vous pouvez Ă©galement, dans un espace de travail Xcode actif, trouver les paramĂštres en cliquant sur Éditeur dans la barre de menu, en sĂ©lectionnant GitHub Copilot, puis en cliquant sur Ouvrir GitHub Copilot pour les paramĂštres Xcode.
  2. SĂ©lectionnez l’onglet MCP, puis cliquez sur Modifier la configuration.
  3. Add the following configuration, replacing YOUR_GITHUB_PAT with the PAT you created:
JSON
  {
    "servers": {
        "github": {
            "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
            "requestInit": {
                "headers": {
                    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
                }
            }
        }
    }
  }

À propos du serveur MCP GitHub

Le serveur MCP GitHub est un serveur MCP (Model Context Protocol) fourni et gĂ©rĂ© par GitHub. Le protocole MCP vous permet d’intĂ©grer des capacitĂ©s d’IA Ă  d’autres outils et services, amĂ©liorant ainsi votre expĂ©rience de dĂ©veloppement grĂące Ă  une assistance IA contextuelle.

Pour une prĂ©sentation complĂšte du serveur MCP GitHub et une vue d’ensemble de MCP, consultez À propos du protocole MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Prerequisites

Setting up the GitHub MCP server in Eclipse

The instructions below guide you through setting up the GitHub MCP server in Eclipse. Other MCP-compatible editors may have similar steps, but the exact process may vary.

The remote GitHub MCP server uses one-click OAuth authentication by default, but you can also manually configure it to use a personal access token (PAT) for authentication. If you use OAuth, the MCP server can only access the scopes you approve during sign-in. In organization-owned contexts, access may also be limited by admin policies that control which scopes and apps are permitted. If you use a PAT, the MCP server will have access to the scopes granted by the PAT, which is also subject to any PAT restrictions configured by the organization.

Remarque

If you are an Enterprise Managed User, then PAT is disabled by default, unless enabled by an enterprise administrator. If PAT is disabled, you won't be able to use PAT authentication. If you have OAuth access policy restrictions, you will need the OAuth App for each client (MCP host application) to be enabled (except Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio).

For information on setting up the GitHub MCP server locally, see the GitHub MCP server repository.

Remote MCP server configuration with OAuth

You do not need to create a PAT or install any additional software to use the remote GitHub MCP server with OAuth. You can set it up directly in Eclipse.

  1. Cliquez sur l’icĂŽne Copilot () dans la barre d’état en bas d’Eclipse.

  2. Dans le menu, sĂ©lectionnez Ouvrir la conversation et, dans la fenĂȘtre de conversation, cliquez sur l’icĂŽne « Configurer les outils... Â».

    • Vous pouvez Ă©galement sĂ©lectionner Modifier les prĂ©fĂ©rences, puis, dans le volet gauche, dĂ©veloppez GitHub Copilot et cliquez sur MCP.
  3. Add the following configuration under "Server Configurations":

    JSON
    {
      "servers": {
          "github": {
              "type": "http",
              "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
          }
      }
    }
    
  4. Click Apply.

  5. In the "GitHub Copilot" popup that says the "MCP Server Definition wants to authenticate to GitHub", click OK.

  6. If you have not yet authorized the GitHub Copilot plugin, in the browser popup, click Continue next to your personal account.

Remote MCP server configuration with PAT

To configure the remote GitHub MCP server with a PAT, ensure you have created a PAT with the necessary scopes for the access you want to grant to the MCP server. For more information, see Gestion de vos jetons d'accĂšs personnels.

  1. Cliquez sur l’icĂŽne Copilot () dans la barre d’état en bas d’Eclipse.
  2. Dans le menu, sĂ©lectionnez Ouvrir la conversation et, dans la fenĂȘtre de conversation, cliquez sur l’icĂŽne « Configurer les outils... Â».
    • Vous pouvez Ă©galement sĂ©lectionner Modifier les prĂ©fĂ©rences, puis, dans le volet gauche, dĂ©veloppez GitHub Copilot et cliquez sur MCP.
  3. Add the following configuration under "Server Configurations", replacing YOUR_GITHUB_PAT with the PAT you created:
JSON
  {
    "servers": {
        "github": {
            "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
            "requestInit": {
                "headers": {
                    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
                }
            }
        }
    }
  }

Next steps

To learn how to use the GitHub MCP server in Visual Studio Code, see Utilisation du serveur MCP GitHub.