Guide: Configure GitHub MCP Server Authentication

GitHub MCP Server enables AI Agents to safely operate GitHub repositories.

What is GitHub MCP Server?

Capabilities:

• Read repository code
• Create and manage Issues
• Create and manage Pull Requests
• Search code
• Manage branches

Create Personal Access Token

Step 1: Access GitHub Settings

1. Login to GitHub
2. Click profile → Settings
3. Developer settings → Personal access tokens
4. Generate new token

Step 2: Configure Token

Token name

Claude-Code-MCP

Expiration

• Recommended: 90 days
• Optional: No expiration

Scopes

Scope	Description	Recommended
repo	Full control of private repos	Required
repo:status	Access commit status	Recommended
public_repo	Access public repos	Recommended

Minimum recommended

repo, repo:status, public_repo

Step 3: Save Token

Important: Token only shown once!

ghp_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Claude Code Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
      }
    }
  }
}

Security Best Practices

1. Principle of least privilege
2. Token rotation every 90 days
3. Monitor token usage
4. Secure storage - never commit to repo

Verify Configuration

1. Restart Claude Code
2. Type /mcp to see github tool
3. Test query

Next Steps

• Unauthorized Error
• Create Pull Request
• Filesystem Configuration