docs/content/copilot/how-tos/provide-context/use-mcp/use-the-github-mcp-server.md

title, intro, shortTitle, versions, defaultTool, topics, redirect_from, contentType, category

title	intro	shortTitle	versions	defaultTool	topics	redirect_from	contentType	category
Using the GitHub MCP Server	Learn how to use the GitHub Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to interact with repositories, issues, pull requests, and other GitHub features, directly from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}.	Use the GitHub MCP Server	feature copilot	vscode	Copilot	/copilot/customizing-copilot/using-model-context-protocol/using-the-github-mcp-server /copilot/how-tos/context/model-context-protocol/using-the-github-mcp-server /copilot/how-tos/context/model-context-protocol/use-the-github-mcp-server /copilot/how-tos/context/use-mcp/use-the-github-mcp-server /copilot/how-tos/provide-context/install-copilot-extensions/use-copilot-extensions	how-tos	Integrate Copilot with your tools

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server is available to all {% data variables.product.github %} users regardless of plan type. However, specific tools within the MCP server inherit the same access requirements as their corresponding {% data variables.product.github %} features. If a feature requires a paid {% data variables.product.github %} or {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} license, the equivalent MCP tool will require the same subscription. For example, tools that interact with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} Coding Agent require a paid {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} license.

{% vscode %}

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.about-github-mcp-server %}

Prerequisites

• A {% data variables.product.github %} account.
• {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.
• The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, configured in your editor. See AUTOTITLE.
• {% data reusables.copilot.mcp-policy-requirement %}

Using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server enables you to perform a wide range of actions on {% data variables.product.github %}, via {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.

{% data reusables.copilot.open-chat-vs-code %} {% data reusables.copilot.select-agent %}

1. To see the available actions, in the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, click the Select tools icon.
   • In the Tools dropdown, under MCP Server: {% data variables.product.github %}, you will see a list of available actions.
2. In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, type a command or question related to the action you want to perform, and press Enter.
   • For example, you can ask the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to create a new issue, list pull requests, or retrieve repository information.
3. The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server will process your request and provide a response in the chat interface.
   • In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, you may be asked to give additional permissions or provide more information to complete the action.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the action.

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.troubleshooting-mcp-server %}

{% endvscode %}

{% visualstudio %}

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.about-github-mcp-server %}

Prerequisites

• Access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. {% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}
• {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} version 17.14 or later. For more information on installing {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, see the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} downloads page.
• The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, configured in your editor. See AUTOTITLE.
• Sign in to {% data variables.product.company_short %} from {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}.
• {% data reusables.copilot.mcp-policy-requirement %}

Using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server enables you to perform a wide range of actions on {% data variables.product.github %}, via {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}.

1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} menu bar, click View, then click {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %}.
2. At the bottom of the chat panel, select Agent from the mode dropdown.
3. In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} window, click the tools icon.
   • Under {% data variables.product.github %}, you will see a list of available tools.
4. In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, type a command or question related to the action you want to perform, and press Enter.
   • For example, you can ask the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to create a new issue, list pull requests, or retrieve repository information.
5. The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server will process your request and provide a response in the chat interface.
   • In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, you may be asked to give additional permissions or provide more information to complete the action.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the action.

{% endvisualstudio %}

{% jetbrains %}

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.about-github-mcp-server %}

Prerequisites

• Access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. {% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}

• A compatible JetBrains IDE. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is compatible with the following IDEs:

  {% data reusables.copilot.jetbrains-compatible-ides %} {% data reusables.copilot.jetbrains-plugin-prerequisites %}

• The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, configured in your editor. See AUTOTITLE.

• {% data reusables.copilot.mcp-policy-requirement %}

Using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in JetBrains IDEs

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server enables you to perform a wide range of actions on {% data variables.product.github %}, via {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in JetBrains IDEs.

1. Open the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} window by clicking the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} icon at the right side of the JetBrains IDE window.

   

2. At the top of the chat panel, click the Agent tab.

3. To see the available actions, in the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, click the tools icon.

   • Under MCP Server: {% data variables.product.github %}, you will see a list of available actions.

4. In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, type a command or question related to the action you want to perform, and press Enter.

   • For example, you can ask the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to create a new issue, list pull requests, or retrieve repository information.

5. The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server will process your request and provide a response in the chat interface.

   • In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, you may be asked to give additional permissions or provide more information to complete the action.

6. Follow the prompts to complete the action.

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.troubleshooting-mcp-server %}

{% endjetbrains %}

{% xcode %}

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.about-github-mcp-server %}

Prerequisites

• Access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. {% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}
• {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for Xcode extension. See AUTOTITLE.
• The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, configured in your editor. See AUTOTITLE.
• {% data reusables.copilot.mcp-policy-requirement %}

Using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in Xcode

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server enables you to perform a wide range of actions on {% data variables.product.github %}, via {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in Xcode.

1. To open the chat view, click Editor in the menu bar, then click {% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} then Open Chat. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} opens in a new window.
2. At the bottom of the chat panel, select Agent.
3. To see the available actions, in the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, click the tools icon.
   • Under MCP Server: {% data variables.product.github %}, you will see a list of available actions.
4. In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, type a command or question related to the action you want to perform, and press Enter.
   • For example, you can ask the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to create a new issue, list pull requests, or retrieve repository information.
5. The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server will process your request and provide a response in the chat interface.
   • In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, you may be asked to give additional permissions or provide more information to complete the action.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the action.

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.troubleshooting-mcp-server %}

{% endxcode %}

{% eclipse %}

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.about-github-mcp-server %}

Prerequisites

{% data reusables.copilot.eclipse-prerequisites %}

• The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, configured in your editor. See AUTOTITLE.
• Latest version of the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension. Download this from the Eclipse Marketplace. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.
• Sign in to {% data variables.product.company_short %} from Eclipse.

Using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in Eclipse

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server enables you to perform a wide range of actions on {% data variables.product.github %}, via {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in Eclipse.

1. To open the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} panel, click the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} icon ({% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %}) in the status bar at the bottom of Eclipse, then click Open Chat.
2. At the bottom of the chat panel, select Agent from the mode dropdown.
3. To see the available actions, in the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, click the tools icon.
   • Under github, you will see a list of available actions.
4. In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, type a command or question related to the action you want to perform, and press Enter.
   • For example, you can ask the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to create a new issue, list pull requests, or retrieve repository information.
5. The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server will process your request and provide a response in the chat interface.
   • In the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box, you may be asked to give additional permissions or provide more information to complete the action.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the action.

{% data reusables.copilot.mcp.troubleshooting-mcp-server %}

{% endeclipse %}

{% webui %}

About MCP in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_dotcom_short %}

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server provided and maintained by {% data variables.product.github %}. MCP allows you to integrate AI capabilities with other tools and services, enhancing your development experience by providing context-aware AI assistance.

For more information on MCP, see the official MCP documentation.

Within {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_dotcom_short %}, the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server is automatically configured, with a limited set of skills available. This allows you to instruct {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} to perform tasks such as creating branches or merging pull requests on your behalf. For a full list of available skills, see AUTOTITLE.

Using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_dotcom_short %}

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server is automatically configured in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_dotcom_short %}. You can start using it immediately without any additional setup.

{% data reusables.copilot.immersive-mode-instructions %}

1. In the prompt box, type a request related to the skill you want {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} to perform, and press Enter.

   Some examples of requests you can make are:

   {% prompt %}Create a new branch called [BRANCH-NAME] in the repository [OWNER/REPO-NAME].{% endprompt %}

   {% prompt %}Search for users with the name [USER-NAME]{% endprompt %}

   {% prompt %}Merge the pull request [PR-NUMBER] in the repository [OWNER/REPO-NAME].{% endprompt %}

2. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} will ask you to confirm that you want to proceed with the action. Click Allow to confirm.

3. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} will use the relevant skill from the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to perform the action you requested. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} will show you the result of the action in the chat interface.

Limitations

The {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_dotcom_short %} is currently limited to a set of predefined skills. If you ask {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} to perform an action that is not supported by the MCP server, it will still attempt to provide a helpful response, but it may not be able to perform the action as expected. For example, if you ask {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} to create a new issue, it may provide you with a draft issue template, but you will still need to manually create the issue.

{% endwebui %}

Further reading

• AUTOTITLE
• AUTOTITLE