github-mcp-server — Claude.ai Edition

MCP server for browsing public GitHub repositories from Claude.ai. Uses Streamable HTTP transport — you deploy it once to a hosting platform, then connect Claude.ai to the URL.

No GitHub token required. All 7 tools work against public repos out of the box.

Tools

Tool	Description
github_get_repo	Full metadata for a single repo
github_list_user_repos	Paginated list of a user/org's repos
github_search_repos	Search with GitHub query syntax
github_list_branches	Branch names, SHAs, protection status
github_list_commits	Commits filterable by path, author, date
github_get_file	Read a file or list a directory
github_get_tree	Full recursive file tree

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Deploy in 5 minutes (Railway — recommended)

Railway is the easiest zero-config option.

1. Push this folder to a GitHub repo (or fork it)
2. Go to railway.app → New Project → Deploy from GitHub repo
3. Select your repo — Railway auto-detects Node and runs npm run build && npm start
4. Once deployed, copy the public URL (e.g. https://github-mcp-server-production.up.railway.app)

Alternative: Render

1. New Web Service → Connect your GitHub repo
2. Build command: npm install && npm run build
3. Start command: npm start
4. Copy the public URL

Alternative: Fly.io

npm install
npm run build
fly launch          # follow prompts
fly deploy
fly status          # get your app URL

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Connect to Claude.ai

1. Go to claude.ai → Settings → Integrations
2. Click Add Integration
3. Enter your deployed URL with /mcp appended:

   https://your-app-url.railway.app/mcp
   

4. Click Save — Claude will detect and list all 7 tools automatically

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Local testing (before deploying)

npm install
npm run build
npm start
# Server runs at http://localhost:3000
# Test: curl http://localhost:3000/health

Use MCP Inspector to test tools locally:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector http://localhost:3000/mcp

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Adding a GitHub Token (optional — raises rate limit from 60 to 5 000 req/hour)

Set GITHUB_TOKEN as an environment variable on your hosting platform, then update src/services/github.ts to include it in the Authorization header:

"Authorization": process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN ? `Bearer ${process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN}` : "",

On Railway: Settings → Variables → Add GITHUB_TOKEN = ghp_your_token_here

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Difference from Claude Code version

	Claude Code version	Claude.ai version (this file)
Transport	stdio (local process)	Streamable HTTP (remote server)
Hosting	Runs on your machine	Deployed to Railway / Render / Fly
Config	claude_desktop_config.json	Claude.ai Settings → Integrations
Tools	Identical 7 tools	Identical 7 tools