How to Add MCP GitHub to Claude Code

March 7, 2026

Step-by-step GitHub MCP setup with token scopes and verification checklist.

Step 1: Create token

Use least privilege for your workflow (repo, optional read:org).

Step 2: Add MCP config

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

Step 3: Verify

List issues in sandbox repo
Create one test issue
Confirm no 403 scope errors

AgentPal Team · 1 min read