GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Open-Source, Secure AI Workflows

What is GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Open-Source, Secure AI Workflows?

This server acts as a bridge between Claude Desktop and your GitHub repositories, enabling natural language interaction with code and workflows. It allows developers to perform Git operations like cloning, committing, and pushing repositories without leaving their AI interface. Built as open-source software, it emphasizes security by leveraging GitHub Personal Access Tokens for authenticated access to private or sensitive repositories.

How to Use GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Open-Source, Secure AI Workflows?

Follow these core steps to set up and use the server:

1. Clone the repository and install dependencies using Node.js
2. Configure your GitHub token via file, environment variable, or direct config entry
3. Update Claude Desktop's configuration to point to the server executable
4. Restart the application to enable conversational Git operations

Once activated, simply ask Claude Desktop to perform actions like "Create a new repository" or "Push recent commits" using plain language requests.

Key Features of GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Open-Source, Secure AI Workflows?

• Conversational Git Control: Execute commands like git commit or git push through natural language prompts
• Repository Navigation: List all your GitHub repos or get detailed insights on specific projects
• Secure Authentication: Three token configuration methods ensure safe access to private repositories
• Open-Source Flexibility: Modify or extend the server codebase to fit custom workflows
• End-to-End Workflows: Automate tasks from repository creation to deployment tracking

Use Cases of GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Open-Source, Secure AI Workflows?

Developers benefit in scenarios such as:

• Rapid Setup: "Clone my team's backend repository into the dev folder"
• Project Audits: "Show me all my open pull requests across repositories"
• Version Control: "Commit changes with the message 'Fix authentication bug'"
• Collaboration: "Create a new repo for our Q4 project with team access"
• CI/CD Integration: "Trigger deployment after pushing to main branch"

FAQ from GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Open-Source, Secure AI Workflows?

• Where should I store my GitHub token?
  Recommended practice: Use the .github_token file method to keep tokens separate from configuration files
• Does this support private repositories?
  Yes - token-based authentication is required for access to non-public repositories
• Can I use this with corporate GitHub instances?
  Yes, but require custom configuration of the GITHUB_API_URL environment variable
• What happens if my token expires?
  The server will return authentication errors - update the token in any configured location to restore access
• Do I need to expose my token in the config file?
  No - prefer environment variables or dedicated token files to keep sensitive information secure

🔗 GitHub MCP Server for Claude Desktop

Supercharge your Claude Desktop with seamless GitHub integration!

This MCP server connects Claude Desktop directly to your GitHub repos and git commands, letting you interact with your code and repositories through natural conversation.

✨ Features

• 🔄 git-clone - Clone any repository with a simple request
• 📊 git-status - Check what's happening in your git repos
• 📋 github-list-repos - Browse your GitHub repositories
• 🔍 github-repo-info - Get detailed information about any repository
• 📝 git-commit - Commit changes to your repositories
• 🚀 git-push - Push your commits to GitHub
• 🆕 github-create-repo - Create new GitHub repositories

🚀 Quick Start

1. Clone this repo:

   git clone https://github.com/shibdad/github-mcp-server.git

cd github-mcp-server

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Make it executable:

   chmod +x start.sh index.js

4. Add your GitHub token (for private repos and API access):

   echo "your-github-token" > .github_token

5. Hook it up to Claude Desktop:

Edit Claude's config file:

* macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
* Windows: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

Add this to your config:

    {
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "/bin/sh",
      "args": ["-c", "/path/to/github-mcp-server/start.sh"]
    }
  }
}

6. Restart Claude and you're good to go!

💬 Try These Prompts

Once connected, ask Claude things like:

• "Clone the tensorflow/models repository to my downloads folder"
• "What's the git status of my project directory?"
• "Show me a list of my GitHub repositories"
• "Get details about the microsoft/vscode repository"
• "Commit my changes with the message 'Update documentation'"
• "Push my commits to GitHub"
• "Create a new repository called 'my-awesome-project'"

🔧 Requirements

• Node.js 16+
• Git command-line tools
• Claude Desktop
• GitHub Personal Access Token (for API access)

🔒 GitHub Token Options

Need to access private repos? Add your token any of these ways:

1. Create a .github_token file in the project folder

2. Set the GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable

3. Add it directly in Claude's config:

   {
   "mcpServers": {
   "github": {
   "command": "/bin/sh",
   "args": ["-c", "/path/to/github-mcp-server/start.sh"],
   "env": {
   "GITHUB_TOKEN": "your-github-token"
   }
   }
   }

}

🙋‍♂️ Contributing

Found a bug? Want to add a feature? PRs welcome!

📜 License

MIT