GitHub (read Only) vs Github Private
A side-by-side look at the GitHub (read Only) and Github Private 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 Github Private 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 Github Private when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
gh_list_repos, gh_get_repo, gh_list_issues.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Version Control | Version Control |
| Quality signal | 33/100 · Emerging | 59/100 · 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 | None listed |
| 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 | 6 |
| Full listing | View GitHub (read Only) | View Github Private |
Tools & capabilities
GitHub (read Only) tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Github Private tools 6
gh_list_reposList all your repositories including private ones. Returns repo names, URLs, descriptions, language, stars, and last update time.gh_get_repoGet detailed info for a specific repository. Returns description, language, stars, forks, open issues, default branch, and access level.gh_list_issuesList issues in a repository. Specify owner and repo name (e.g., owner='octocat', repo='Hello-World'). Returns titles, numbers, status, assignees, and labels.gh_list_pullsList pull requests in a repository. Specify owner and repo name (e.g., owner='octocat', repo='Hello-World'). Returns titles, numbers, status, reviewers, and merge state.gh_list_orgsList organizations you're a member of. Returns org names, URLs, and your role (owner, member, etc.).gh_get_fileGet file contents from a repository. Specify owner, repo name, and file path (e.g., 'README.md'). Returns raw content and metadata.
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"
]
}
}
}
Github Private
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-private": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pipeworx/mcp-github_private"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
GitHub (read Only) is categorized under Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Github Private belongs to Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick GitHub (read Only) for version control work and Github Private 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. Github Private 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 github-private 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. Github Private has 59/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.