🤖 MCP GitHub CLI Commands Guide

📋 Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Setup and Configuration
• MCP GitHub Commands Reference
• Voice Command Integration
• Chat Command Integration
• Project Management Workflows
• Task Management Templates
• Advanced Automation
• Troubleshooting

🔍 Introduction

This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions for using GitHub MCP (Model Context Protocol) commands and CLI operations for repository management, issue tracking, and project automation. The guide integrates with the PowerBridge GitHub Toolkit and Cursor AI to create a seamless development workflow.

🛠️ Setup and Configuration

GitHub MCP Server Setup

Remote Server Configuration (VS Code 1.101+)

{
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Local Server Configuration with Docker

{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "github_token",
      "description": "GitHub Personal Access Token",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN",
        "ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "${input:github_token}"
      }
    }
  }
}

WSL Configuration (Windows)

{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "github_token",
      "description": "GitHub Personal Access Token",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "wsl",
      "args": [
        "-d",
        "Ubuntu",
        "--",
        "/home/user/run-github-mcp.sh"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Required Permissions

Create a GitHub Personal Access Token with these permissions:

• repo - Full control of repositories
• workflow - Update GitHub Action workflows
• read:org - Read organization data
• user - Update user data
• project - Full control of projects

📝 MCP GitHub Commands Reference

Repository Management

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_create_repository	name, description, private, autoInit	Create a new repository	mcp_github_create_repository({ "name": "new-project", "description": "My new project", "private": true, "autoInit": true })
mcp_github_fork_repository	owner, repo, organization	Fork a repository	mcp_github_fork_repository({ "owner": "github", "repo": "github-mcp-server" })
mcp_github_create_branch	owner, repo, branch, from_branch	Create a new branch	mcp_github_create_branch({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "branch": "feature/auth", "from_branch": "main" })
mcp_github_list_branches	owner, repo, page, perPage	List repository branches	mcp_github_list_branches({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project" })
mcp_github_get_commit	owner, repo, sha	Get commit details	mcp_github_get_commit({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "sha": "main" })
mcp_github_list_commits	owner, repo, sha, page, perPage	List commits	mcp_github_list_commits({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "sha": "main" })

File Operations

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_get_file_contents	owner, repo, path, branch	Get file contents	mcp_github_get_file_contents({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "path": "README.md" })
mcp_github_create_or_update_file	owner, repo, path, content, message, branch, sha	Create or update file	mcp_github_create_or_update_file({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "path": "README.md", "content": "# Project", "message": "Update README", "branch": "main" })
mcp_github_delete_file	owner, repo, path, message, branch	Delete a file	mcp_github_delete_file({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "path": "old-file.md", "message": "Remove old file", "branch": "main" })
mcp_github_push_files	owner, repo, branch, files, message	Push multiple files	mcp_github_push_files({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "branch": "main", "files": [{"path": "file1.md", "content": "content"}], "message": "Add files" })

Issue Management

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_create_issue	owner, repo, title, body, labels, assignees, milestone	Create an issue	mcp_github_create_issue({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "title": "[BAD-001] Implement Auth", "body": "Details...", "labels": ["enhancement"] })
mcp_github_get_issue	owner, repo, issue_number	Get issue details	mcp_github_get_issue({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "issue_number": 1 })
mcp_github_update_issue	owner, repo, issue_number, title, body, state, labels, assignees, milestone	Update an issue	mcp_github_update_issue({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "issue_number": 1, "state": "closed" })
mcp_github_add_issue_comment	owner, repo, issue_number, body	Comment on issue	mcp_github_add_issue_comment({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "issue_number": 1, "body": "Comment text" })
mcp_github_get_issue_comments	owner, repo, issue_number, page, per_page	Get issue comments	mcp_github_get_issue_comments({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "issue_number": 1 })
mcp_github_list_issues	owner, repo, state, labels, sort, direction, since, page, perPage	List issues	mcp_github_list_issues({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "state": "open" })

Pull Request Management

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_create_pull_request	owner, repo, title, body, head, base, draft, maintainer_can_modify	Create a PR	mcp_github_create_pull_request({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "title": "Feature: Auth", "body": "Implements...", "head": "feature/auth", "base": "main" })
mcp_github_get_pull_request	owner, repo, pullNumber	Get PR details	mcp_github_get_pull_request({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "pullNumber": 1 })
mcp_github_get_pull_request_files	owner, repo, pullNumber	Get PR files	mcp_github_get_pull_request_files({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "pullNumber": 1 })
mcp_github_get_pull_request_diff	owner, repo, pullNumber	Get PR diff	mcp_github_get_pull_request_diff({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "pullNumber": 1 })
mcp_github_get_pull_request_status	owner, repo, pullNumber	Get PR status	mcp_github_get_pull_request_status({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "pullNumber": 1 })
mcp_github_merge_pull_request	owner, repo, pullNumber, commit_title, commit_message, merge_method	Merge a PR	mcp_github_merge_pull_request({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "pullNumber": 1, "merge_method": "squash" })
mcp_github_list_pull_requests	owner, repo, state, head, base, sort, direction, page, perPage	List PRs	mcp_github_list_pull_requests({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "state": "open" })

Search Operations

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_search_code	q, sort, order, page, perPage	Search code	mcp_github_search_code({ "q": "function in:file language:javascript repo:user/project" })
mcp_github_search_issues	q, sort, order, page, perPage	Search issues	mcp_github_search_issues({ "q": "is:issue is:open label:bug repo:user/project" })
mcp_github_search_repositories	query, page, perPage	Search repos	mcp_github_search_repositories({ "query": "topic:javascript stars:>1000" })
mcp_github_search_users	q, sort, order, page, perPage	Search users	mcp_github_search_users({ "q": "location:london language:javascript" })

Security Operations

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_get_code_scanning_alert	owner, repo, alertNumber	Get code scanning alert	mcp_github_get_code_scanning_alert({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "alertNumber": 1 })
mcp_github_list_code_scanning_alerts	owner, repo, ref, tool_name, state, severity	List code scanning alerts	mcp_github_list_code_scanning_alerts({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "state": "open" })
mcp_github_get_secret_scanning_alert	owner, repo, alertNumber	Get secret scanning alert	mcp_github_get_secret_scanning_alert({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "alertNumber": 1 })
mcp_github_list_secret_scanning_alerts	owner, repo, state, secret_type, resolution	List secret scanning alerts	mcp_github_list_secret_scanning_alerts({ "owner": "user", "repo": "project", "state": "open" })

User Operations

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_get_me	reason	Get authenticated user	mcp_github_get_me({ "reason": "Check permissions" })

Notification Operations

Command	Parameters	Description	Example
mcp_github_list_notifications	filter, owner, repo, since, before, page, perPage	List notifications	mcp_github_list_notifications({ "filter": "default" })
mcp_github_get_notification_details	notificationID	Get notification details	mcp_github_get_notification_details({ "notificationID": "12345" })
mcp_github_dismiss_notification	threadID, state	Dismiss notification	mcp_github_dismiss_notification({ "threadID": "12345", "state": "read" })

🎤 Voice Command Integration

Repository Management Voice Commands

# Create a new repository
"Create a new GitHub repository called project-name with description 'Project description'"

# Create a new branch
"Create a branch called feature/auth from main in the user/project repository"

# Clone a repository
"Clone the github/github-mcp-server repository"

Issue Management Voice Commands

# Create a new task/issue
"Create a task to implement user authentication with JWT"

# Update issue status
"Mark issue BAD-001 as in progress"

# Assign issue
"Assign issue BAD-001 to @developer"

# Add labels
"Add security and backend labels to issue BAD-001"

Project Management Voice Commands

# Create a project
"Create a new GitHub project called Authentication System"

# Add to project
"Add issue BAD-001 to the Authentication project board"

# Move card
"Move issue BAD-001 to In Progress column"

# Create sprint
"Create sprint 1 with duration of 2 weeks"

💬 Chat Command Integration

Repository Management Chat Commands

# Create repository
/repo create --name "project-name" --description "Project description" --private

# Create branch
/branch create --repo "user/project" --name "feature/auth" --from "main"

# Push changes
/repo push --files "README.md,index.js" --message "Initial commit"

Issue Management Chat Commands

# Create issue
/issue create --title "[BAD-001] Implement Auth" --body "Details..." --labels "enhancement,security"

# Update issue
/issue update BAD-001 --status "In Progress" --assignee "@developer"

# Comment on issue
/issue comment BAD-001 "Added JWT implementation"

Project Management Chat Commands

# Create project
/project create "Authentication System" --template "kanban"

# Add to project
/project add BAD-001 --column "To Do"

# Create sprint
/sprint create "Sprint 1" --duration 2w --goal "Complete authentication system"

📊 Project Management Workflows

Repository Creation Workflow

1. Create Repository

   # Voice command
   "Create a new GitHub repository called auth-service with description 'Authentication service'"
   
   # MCP command
   mcp_github_create_repository({ "name": "auth-service", "description": "Authentication service", "private": true, "autoInit": true })
   

2. Create Project Structure

   # Push initial files
   mcp_github_push_files({
     "owner": "user",
     "repo": "auth-service",
     "branch": "main",
     "files": [
       {"path": "README.md", "content": "# Authentication Service\n\nService for user authentication."},
       {"path": ".gitignore", "content": "node_modules/\n.env\n"},
       {"path": "package.json", "content": "{\n  \"name\": \"auth-service\",\n  \"version\": \"1.0.0\"\n}"}
     ],
     "message": "Initial project structure"
   })
   

3. Create Project Board

   # Voice command
   "Create a new project board for auth-service with columns To Do, In Progress, and Done"
   

Issue Creation Workflow

1. Create Issue Template

   # Create issue template file
   mcp_github_create_or_update_file({
     "owner": "user",
     "repo": "auth-service",
     "path": ".github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature.md",
     "content": "---\nname: Feature\ndescription: Feature request\n---\n\n## Description\n\n## Requirements\n\n## Acceptance Criteria",
     "message": "Add feature issue template",
     "branch": "main"
   })
   

2. Create Issue

   # Voice command
   "Create a task to implement JWT authentication with requirements must support refresh tokens and assign to @security-team"
   
   # MCP command
   mcp_github_create_issue({
     "owner": "user",
     "repo": "auth-service",
     "title": "[BAD-001] Implement JWT Authentication",
     "body": "## Description\nImplement JWT authentication\n\n## Requirements\n- [ ] Support refresh tokens\n- [ ] Secure storage\n- [ ] Token expiration\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Users can authenticate\n- [ ] Tokens can be refreshed\n- [ ] Expired tokens are rejected",
     "labels": ["enhancement", "security"],
     "assignees": ["security-team"]
   })
   

3. Add to Project

   # Voice command
   "Add issue BAD-001 to the Authentication project board in To Do column"
   

Sprint Management Workflow

1. Create Sprint

   # Voice command
   "Create sprint 1 with duration of 2 weeks and goal to complete authentication system"
   

2. Add Issues to Sprint

   # Voice command
   "Add issues BAD-001, BAD-002, and BAD-003 to sprint 1"
   

3. Start Sprint

   # Voice command
   "Start sprint 1 and notify the team"
   

4. Track Progress

   # Voice command
   "Show progress on sprint 1"
   

📝 Task Management Templates

Standard Issue Template

[BAD-XXX] 🔧 Task Title

## 🚀 Feature Description
Detailed description of the feature or task.

## 📋 Requirements
- [ ] Requirement 1
- [ ] Requirement 2
- [ ] Requirement 3

## 📝 Implementation Steps
1. Step 1
2. Step 2
3. Step 3

## 🎨 UI/UX Requirements
- Design specification 1
- Design specification 2

## 🔗 Related Components
- Component 1
- Component 2

## 💻 Technical Specifications
```code
// Code example

🧪 Testing Requirements

• Test case 1
• Test case 2

📚 Documentation Requirements

• Update API docs
• Update user guide

⚡ Performance Specifications

• Performance metric 1
• Performance metric 2

🔒 Security Considerations

• Security requirement 1
• Security requirement 2

✅ Acceptance Criteria

• Criterion 1
• Criterion 2
• Criterion 3

### Task ID Assignment

1. **Format**: `[BAD-XXX]` where XXX is a sequential number
2. **Check existing issues** to determine the next available number
3. **Never reuse** task IDs, even if an old task is closed/deleted

### Task Labeling System

| Category | Available Labels |
|----------|------------------|
| **Type** | `enhancement`, `bug`, `feature`, `documentation`, `refactor` |
| **Area** | `frontend`, `backend`, `design`, `devops`, `testing` |
| **Priority** | `high-priority`, `medium`, `low` |
| **Status** | `blocked`, `in-progress`, `ready-for-review` |

## 🔧 Advanced Automation

### GitHub Actions Integration

Create a workflow file for automated issue management:

```yaml
# .github/workflows/issue-automation.yml
name: Issue Automation
on:
  issues:
    types: [opened, edited, labeled, unlabeled, assigned, unassigned]

jobs:
  process_issue:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Process Issue
        uses: actions/github-script@v6
        with:
          github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
          script: |
            const issue = context.payload.issue;
            
            // Add to project board
            if (issue.labels.some(label => label.name === 'feature')) {
              // Add to feature board
            }
            
            // Update task-log.md
            if (issue.title.startsWith('[BAD-')) {
              // Update task log
            }

Automated Documentation Updates

Create a script to update documentation based on issue changes:

// scripts/update-docs.js
async function updateTaskLog(issue) {
  const taskId = issue.title.match(/\[BAD-(\d+)\]/)[1];
  const status = getIssueStatus(issue);
  
  // Update task-log.md
  const taskLog = fs.readFileSync('task-log.md', 'utf8');
  const updatedTaskLog = updateTaskStatus(taskLog, taskId, status);
  fs.writeFileSync('task-log.md', updatedTaskLog);
  
  // Add comment to issue
  await github.issues.createComment({
    owner: context.repo.owner,
    repo: context.repo.repo,
    issue_number: issue.number,
    body: `Updated task-log.md with status: ${status}`
  });
}

❗ Troubleshooting

Common MCP Server Issues

1. Connection Problems

   • Error: "Failed to create MCP server"
   • Solution: Check GitHub token permissions and expiration

2. Command Execution Failures

   • Error: "Failed to execute command"
   • Solution: Verify parameter format and required fields

3. Permission Issues

   • Error: "Resource not accessible by integration"
   • Solution: Update GitHub token with required permissions

Debugging Process

1. Check MCP server logs
2. Verify GitHub token permissions
3. Test command with minimal parameters
4. Check for rate limiting issues
5. Verify repository access

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