GitHub (read Only) vs Git MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the GitHub (read Only) and Git MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose GitHub (read Only) for version control work as a local process; choose Git MCP Server for version control as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose GitHub (read Only) when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
Choose Git MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
GIT_TOKEN. - You want tools like
get_file_contents, get_repository_tree, push_files.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Version Control | Version Control |
| Quality signal | 33/100 · Emerging | 52/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | GIT_TOKEN |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 23 |
| Full listing | View GitHub (read Only) | View Git MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
GitHub (read Only) tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Git MCP Server tools 23
get_file_contentsGet the contents of a file or directory from a repositoryget_repository_treeList files and directories in a repository. Use recursive=true to get full tree.push_filesPush multiple files to a repository in a single commit. Supports create, update, delete, and move actions.create_branchCreate a new branch in the repository. Use this before making code changes to work on a separate branch.list_branchesList branches in a repository. Optionally search for specific branches.list_commitsList commits in a repository. Filter by branch, path, date range, or author.search_codeSearch for code in a repository. Returns matching files and lines.get_issueGet details of a specific issue in a projectlist_issuesList issues in a project with optional filterscreate_issueCreate a new issue in a projectupdate_issueUpdate an existing issue in a projectget_pull_requestGet details of a pull request (merge request in GitLab)- +11 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
GitHub (read Only)
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-read-only": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/AbdulMuhaiminKhan/github-mcp",
"github-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Git MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"git-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@raytien/git-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"GIT_TOKEN": "YOUR_GIT_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
GitHub (read Only) is categorized under Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Git MCP Server belongs to Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick GitHub (read Only) for version control work and Git MCP Server for version control.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
GitHub (read Only) has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Auth: api key required. Git MCP Server has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add github-read-only and git-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, GitHub (read Only) has a quality signal of 33/100 (Emerging) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Git MCP Server has 52/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.