GitHub API Claude Desktop Integration
This guide explains how to configure Claude Desktop (Mac and Windows) to use the GitHub API API through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The integration exposes 4 API endpointsas callable tools inside Claude's chat interface, including Get a repository, List repository issues, List pull requests, and more. Setup requires OAuth2 credentials and takes approximately 2 minutes. The server runs locally via npx and communicates over STDIO transport. Paste the JSON configuration below into your claude_desktop_config.json file to get started.
Integration Specs
Setup Instructions
Open Claude Settings
Launch Claude Desktop, open Settings (click your profile) → Developer → click 'Edit Config'.
Locate configuration file
This opens your local 'claude_desktop_config.json' file in your system editor.
Insert Server Config JSON
Paste the JSON configuration schema block (provided below) into the 'mcpServers' object.
Add authentication credentials
Replace placeholders in the 'env' object with your actual OAuth2 credentials.
Restart Claude app
Save the config file and restart Claude Desktop to load your new tools.
Configuration JSON
claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy and paste this config snippet inside your local configuration file.
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"
],
"env": {
"GITHUB_TOKEN": "your_github_personal_access_token"
}
}
}
}Required Environment Keys
Provide these variable keys in your local environment section:
GITHUB_TOKENReplace your_github_personal_access_token with your secret key credentials.
Available Tools (4)
These endpoints are parsed from the OpenAPI schema and converted to Claude-compatible tools:
/repos/{owner}/{repo}/repos/{owner}/{repo}/issues/repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls/repos/{owner}/{repo}/contents/{path}