GitHub MCP Server

Install

docker run -i --rm -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN -e GITHUB_HOST ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server

Example config (Cursor / Claude Desktop)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN",
        "-e",
        "GITHUB_HOST",
        "ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<your-value>",
        "GITHUB_PAT": "<your-value>"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code uses "servers" instead of "mcpServers" (why). On Windows, wrap npx with cmd /c (fix).

At a glance

Common problems

• MCP server not showing in Cursor (or showing a red dot)
• MCP server can't see my API key (env vars not passed)
• Too many MCP tools: tool limits in Windsurf, Cursor and VS Code
• Claude Code: MCP server added but not available ("No MCP servers configured")
• VS Code ignores my MCP config ("servers" vs "mcpServers")
• GitHub MCP server: "Bad credentials" / 401 errors