Wire GitHub MCP so Claude can read issues while coding

Git & GitHub / Pull Requests·14 hours ago·verified 14 hours ago·medium·~15 min setup·verified

Add the GitHub MCP server so Claude can cross-reference issues, PRs, and repo state without leaving the session.

The problem

You paste issue text manually and Claude misses linked discussion, labels, or related PRs.

The hack

Add GitHub MCP (`claude mcp add ...`) with a scoped token, then ask Claude to implement against a specific issue number.

Why it works

Issue-aware coding reduces copy-paste and keeps acceptance criteria attached to the work.

Setup

1. Create a fine-scoped GitHub token with the minimum repo permissions you need. 2. Run `claude mcp add` for the GitHub server (HTTP or stdio per current docs) at user or project scope. 3. Confirm tools appear via `/mcp`. 4. Prompt: "Implement issue #123; ask if acceptance criteria are ambiguous."

Prompt

Read issue #123 and implement the acceptance criteria. Open a draft PR when tests pass.

Additional details

Prefer official/maintained MCP servers before custom ones.

Source

anthropic·View original →·by Community

Does this still work?

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to say whether this worked for you.