@iiinigence/github-mcp

Push commits, manage branches, open PRs, and read repos — by just asking your AI.

An open-source MCP server for GitHub, developed by IIInigence. Works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and any MCP-compatible client.

Because it runs on your machine with your token, your AI assistant can ship code to GitHub even from cloud sandboxes that can't push directly — the API calls originate from your device, not the sandbox.

Easiest install — one file, no terminal (Claude Desktop)

1. Download iiinie-github.mcpb from the latest release
2. In Claude Desktop: Settings → Extensions → Advanced settings → Install Extension → pick the downloaded file. Claude shows what you're getting; click Install.
3. Paste your GitHub token (see below) and optionally a default owner/org. Done.

Nervous about giving an AI push powers? Flip on Read-only mode in the same form: Claude can read repos and PRs but can't change a thing until you turn it off.

Get a token (2 minutes)

Create a fine-grained personal access token at GitHub → Settings → Developer settings → Fine-grained tokens:

• Repository access: Only select repositories — pick just the repos you want your AI to work with
• Permissions → Repository permissions:
  • Contents: Read and write
  • Pull requests: Read and write
  • Issues: Read and write
  • Actions: Read-only
  • Metadata: Read-only (added automatically)

Never use a classic token with broad scopes — fine-grained scoping is the whole safety story.

Quick start (manual / npx route)

Add to Claude Desktop — Settings → Developer → Edit Config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@iiinigence/github-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "github_pat_your_token_here",
        "GITHUB_DEFAULT_OWNER": "your-username-or-org",
        "READ_ONLY": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop, then try: "Use whoami to check my GitHub connection, then list my repos."

Tools

15 tools. Tools marked 🔒 are destructive: the assistant is instructed to always get your explicit confirmation before calling them, and READ_ONLY blocks them entirely.

Tool	What it does
whoami	Verify the token — who is authenticated
list_repos	Repositories the token can access, recently pushed first
list_branches	Branches with latest commit SHAs
get_file	Read a file (UTF-8) or list a directory at any ref
list_commits	Recent commits on a branch
push_files	The core write tool — commit multiple files to a branch in one commit and push. Creates the branch if needed. Never force-pushes.
create_branch	Create a branch from another branch
delete_branch 🔒	Delete a branch (refuses the default branch)
open_pr	Open a pull request (normal or draft)
list_prs / get_pr	Browse PRs; details include changed files & mergeability
merge_pr 🔒	Merge a PR (merge / squash / rebase)
create_issue	Open a new issue
comment_on_issue	Comment on an issue or PR
list_workflow_runs	Check GitHub Actions CI status after a push

Configuration

Env var	Required	Description
GITHUB_TOKEN	✅	Fine-grained personal access token
GITHUB_DEFAULT_OWNER	—	Default owner/org when tools don't specify one
READ_ONLY	—	true = everything readable, all writes blocked (default false)
GITHUB_BASE_URL	—	Override for GitHub Enterprise (e.g. https://github.example.com/api/v3)

Safety notes

• Use a fine-grained token scoped to only the repos your AI should touch. Rotate it if it may have leaked.
• push_files never force-pushes, and delete_branch refuses the repository's default branch.
• Keep yourself as the approval step: have your assistant push to feature branches and open PRs you review, rather than committing to main.
• Start with READ_ONLY: "true" if you want to connect before granting write powers.

Privacy

This connector runs locally, collects no data, has no telemetry, and talks only to GitHub's API. Your token is stored on your device by Claude Desktop and sent only to GitHub. Full policy: PRIVACY.md.

Who built this

IIInigence — a software development agency: custom software, AI automations, full platforms. This connector is part of our video series on connecting Claude to your business tools, one at a time. See also our SendGrid connector.

Want something like this built for your business? Tell us what you'd build.

Development

git clone https://github.com/iiinigence/github-mcp.git
cd github-mcp
npm install
npm run build
GITHUB_TOKEN=github_pat_xxx node dist/index.js

MIT licensed. PRs welcome.

---

This is an independent project by IIInigence. It is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by GitHub, Inc. "GitHub" is a trademark of GitHub, Inc., used here only to describe compatibility.