# Install GitHub MCP Server in Copilot CLI
The GitHub MCP server comes pre-installed in Copilot CLI, with read-only tools enabled by default.
## Built-in Server
To verify the server is available, from an active Copilot CLI session:
```bash
/mcp show github-mcp-server
```
### Per-Session Customization
Use CLI flags to customize the server for a session:
```bash
# Enable an additional toolset
copilot --add-github-mcp-toolset discussions
# Enable multiple additional toolsets
copilot --add-github-mcp-toolset discussions --add-github-mcp-toolset stargazers
# Enable all toolsets
copilot --enable-all-github-mcp-tools
# Enable a specific tool
copilot --add-github-mcp-tool list_discussions
# Disable the built-in server entirely
copilot --disable-builtin-mcps
```
Run `copilot --help` for all available flags. For the list of toolsets, see [Available toolsets](../../README.md#available-toolsets); for the list of tools, see [Tools](../../README.md#tools).
## Custom Configuration
You can configure the GitHub MCP server in Copilot CLI using either the interactive command or by manually editing the configuration file.
> **Server naming:** Name your server `github-mcp-server` to replace the built-in server, or use a different name (e.g., `github`) to run alongside it.
### Prerequisites
1. [GitHub Personal Access Token](https://github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new) with appropriate scopes
2. For local server: [Docker](https://www.docker.com/) installed and running
<details>
<summary><b>Storing Your PAT Securely</b></summary>
<br>
To set your PAT as an environment variable:
```bash
# Add to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.)
export GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=your_token_here
```
</details>
### Method 1: Interactive Setup (Recommended)
From an active Copilot CLI session, run the interactive command:
```bash
/mcp add
```
Follow the prompts to configure the server.
### Method 2: Manual Setup
Create or edit the configuration file `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json` and add one of the following configurations:
#### Remote Server
Connect to the hosted MCP server:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ${GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN}"
}
}
}
}
```
For additional options like toolsets and read-only mode, see the [remote server documentation](../remote-server.md#optional-headers).
#### Local Docker
With Docker running, you can run the GitHub MCP server in a container:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"-e",
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN",
"ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN}"
}
}
}
}
```
#### Binary
You can download the latest binary release from the [GitHub releases page](https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server/releases) or build it from source by running:
```bash
go build -o github-mcp-server ./cmd/github-mcp-server
```
Then configure (replace `/path/to/binary` with the actual path):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "/path/to/binary",
"args": ["stdio"],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN}"
}
}
}
}
```
## Verification
1. Restart Copilot CLI
2. Run `/mcp show` to list configured servers
3. Try: "List my GitHub repositories"
## Troubleshooting
### Local Server Issues
- **Docker errors**: Ensure Docker Desktop is running
- **Image pull failures**: Try `docker logout ghcr.io` then retry
### Authentication Issues
- **Invalid PAT**: Verify your GitHub PAT has correct scopes:
- `repo` - Repository operations
- `read:packages` - Docker image access (if using Docker)
- **Token expired**: Generate a new GitHub PAT
### Configuration Issues
- **Invalid JSON**: Validate your configuration:
```bash
cat ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json | jq .
```
## References
- [Copilot CLI Documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/agents/about-copilot-cli)
