GitHub (read-only) MCP Server: Install & Setup

Install GitHub (read-only) in Claude Code

Claude Code

claude mcp add github-read-only -e GITHUB_TOKEN=... -- uvx github-mcp-readonly

mcp.json (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github-read-only": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "github-mcp-readonly"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace each ... with your own value.

Frequently asked questions

What does the GitHub (read-only) MCP server do?

Read-only GitHub repos, issues, PRs and commits, with tool descriptions tuned on a benchmark.

Is the GitHub (read-only) MCP server free?

The server is free, but you will likely need an account. The server itself is free, but it connects to a service that needs an account or API key, which may have paid tiers. Check the provider for current pricing.

Does GitHub (read-only) run locally or remotely?

Local. Runs on your machine (stdio). You install it with npx, uvx, Docker or from source.

How do I add GitHub (read-only) to Claude Code?

Run: claude mcp add github-read-only -e GITHUB_TOKEN=... -- uvx github-mcp-readonly

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