github-mcp-test

Setting Up GitHub MCP Server with VS Code

This guide walks you through setting up the GitHub MCP Server using Visual Studio Code and a GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT). It also includes Docker and GitHub Copilot configuration.

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🔑 Step 1: Create a GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT)

1. Go to GitHub PAT settings
2. Click "Generate new token (classic)"
3. Give your token a name (e.g., VSCode MCP Access) and choose an expiration date (e.g., 90 days)
4. Under Permissions, enable:
   • ✅ Full access to all repositories
   • ✅ Read & Write access to the following scopes:
     • Actions
     • Administration
     • Attestations
     • Codespaces
     • Commit statuses
     • Deployments
     • Issues
     • Merge queues
     • Metadata
     • Pages
     • Pull requests
     • Secrets
     • Variables
     • Webhooks
     • Workflows
     • Update GitHub Action workflow files
5. Click Generate token
6. Copy the token and save it securely (you will not be able to view it again)

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💻 Step 2: Install MCP Server via VS Code

1. Visit the GitHub MCP Server repository:
   👉 https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server?tab=readme-ov-file

2. Click "VS Code: Install Server"

3. VS Code will open automatically. Click "Install Server" when prompted.

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🐳 Step 3: Start Docker Desktop

1. Open Docker Desktop on your machine.
2. Wait for Docker to start (you should see "Docker is running" at the bottom of the window).
3. Docker is required to run the MCP server container in the background.

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🔐 Step 4: Paste Your Token

1. After installing the server in VS Code, you will be prompted to paste your GitHub token.
2. Paste the token you generated in Step 1.
3. Authentication will complete, and your MCP server will connect to GitHub.

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🤖 Step 5: Enable GitHub Copilot Agent Mode

1. In Visual Studio Code, open the GitHub Copilot sidebar (usually located on the Activity Bar).
2. Click the option to "Turn on Agent Mode" directly from the Copilot interface.
3. Copilot will now act as an intelligent agent integrated with the MCP environment.

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✅ Step 6: Test the Setup

1. Create or open a test project in VS Code.
2. Try making a pull request or running a GitHub Action.
3. Verify Copilot suggestions, workflows, or deployments are responding.
4. Check that the MCP server container is running via Docker Desktop.

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