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57 changes: 44 additions & 13 deletions docs/installation-guides/install-claude.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -81,16 +81,42 @@ claude mcp get github
### Prerequisites
- Claude Desktop installed (latest version)
- [GitHub Personal Access Token](https://github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new)
- [Docker](https://www.docker.com/) installed and running

> **Note**: Claude Desktop supports MCP servers that are both local (stdio) and remote ("connectors"). Remote servers can generally be added via Settings → Connectors → "Add custom connector". However, the GitHub remote MCP server requires OAuth authentication through a registered GitHub App (or OAuth App), which is not currently supported. Use the local Docker setup instead.
- For local setup: [Docker](https://www.docker.com/) installed and running
- For remote setup: npm (Node.js) installed

### Configuration File Location
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Linux**: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`

### Local Server Setup (Docker)
### Remote Server Setup (Recommended - No Docker Required)

This method uses the GitHub MCP remote server without requiring Docker:

Add this configuration to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer ${GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN}"
],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
}
}
}
}
```

> **Note**: Replace `YOUR_GITHUB_PAT` with your actual GitHub Personal Access Token. Ensure your token has the necessary `repo` scope permissions.

### Local Server Setup (Docker - Alternative Method)

Add this codeblock to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -118,15 +144,15 @@ Add this codeblock to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:
### Manual Setup Steps
1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config
3. Paste the code block above in your configuration file
4. If you're navigating to the configuration file outside of the app:
3. Choose one of the two methods above (Remote Server recommended, or Docker for local setup)
4. Paste the corresponding configuration in your `claude_desktop_config.json` file
5. If you're navigating to the configuration file outside of the app:
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
5. Open the file in a text editor
6. Paste one of the code blocks above, based on your chosen configuration (remote or local)
7. Replace `YOUR_GITHUB_PAT` with your actual token or $GITHUB_PAT environment variable
8. Save the file
9. Restart Claude Desktop
- **Linux**: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
6. Replace `YOUR_GITHUB_PAT` with your actual GitHub Personal Access Token
7. Save the file
8. Restart Claude Desktop

---

Expand All @@ -135,11 +161,16 @@ Add this codeblock to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:
**Authentication Failed:**
- Verify PAT has `repo` scope
- Check token hasn't expired
- Ensure the token is correctly placed in your configuration

**Remote Server (Claude Desktop with npx mcp-remote):**
- Verify URL: `https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp`
- Ensure npm is installed and accessible

**Remote Server:**
**Remote Server (Claude Code):**
- Verify URL: `https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp`

**Docker Issues (Local Only):**
**Docker Issues (Local Setup Only):**
- Ensure Docker Desktop is running
- Try: `docker pull ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server`
- If pull fails: `docker logout ghcr.io` then retry
Expand Down