About GitHub Explorer MCP
GitHub Explorer MCP is a server for MCP clients that retrieves repository structure, file contents, summaries, and metadata. It also offers caching, optional local cloning, and text or JSON output.
Key features
- 01Repository summaries and metadata
- 02ASCII directory tree views
- 03Read selected repository files
- 04Caching and optional local cloning
- 05Text or structured JSON output
- 06Progress updates and autocomplete
Use cases
- 01Reviewing a repository's layout
- 02Retrieving files and repository metadata
- 03Using repository data in MCP clients
MCP support
Provides MCP tools for repository summaries, directory structures, and selected file contents. It can run over stdio or HTTP/SSE.
Configuration
Local server config is the same for every client. Copy it into your client’s MCP config file.
Tools
Local servers expose tools only once running on your machine, and the maintainer has not provided a tool list.
Details
From the project READMEGitHub Explorer MCP
The MCP server that provides GitHub repository information including file content, directory structure, and other metadata for MCP clients like Claude Desktop, Cursor, and others.
Features
- Repository Summaries: Get comprehensive information about GitHub repositories
- Directory Structure: View the complete file structure of any repository with a nice ASCII tree visualization
- File Content: Access the content of specific files
- Metadata Enhancement: Get stars, forks, description, and last updated information
- Local Repository Cloning: Clone repositories locally for faster processing and more complete data
- Caching System: Efficiently cache repository data to reduce API calls
- Progress Notifications: Updates on long-running operations
- Format Options: Get data in text or structured JSON format
- Auto-Completion: Suggestions for repository owners and names
- Web Interface: Basic status page and info when running in HTTP mode
Installation
Using NPM
# Install from npm
npm install @trishchuk/github-explorer-mcp -g
# Run the server (stdio mode for MCP clients)
github-explorer-mcp
# Or run in HTTP/SSE mode
github-explorer-mcp-sse
Using Docker
# Build Docker image
docker build -t github-explorer-mcp .
# Run container
docker run -p 3000:3000 github-explorer-mcp
Usage with MCP Clients
Claude Desktop
Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-explorer": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@trishchuk/github-explorer-mcp"]
}
}
}
Cursor
Add to your Cursor configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-explorer": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@trishchuk/github-explorer-mcp"]
}
}
}
API Reference
The MCP server provides the following tools:
github_repository_summary
Get a summary of a GitHub repository.
{
owner: string; // GitHub organization or username
repo: string; // Repository name
branch?: string; // Optional branch name
includeMetadata?: boolean; // Include stars, forks, etc.
}
github_directory_structure
Get the tree structure of a GitHub repository.
{
owner: string; // GitHub organization or username
repo: string; // Repository name
branch?: string; // Optional branch name
}
github_read_important_files
Get the content of specific files from a GitHub repository.
{
owner: string; // GitHub organization or username
repo: string; // Repository name
filePaths: string[]; // List of paths to files
branch?: string; // Optional branch name
format?: 'text' | 'json'; // Output format
}
git_search (Coming Soon)
Search for content within a GitHub repository.
{
owner: string; // GitHub organization or username
repo: string; // Repository name
query: string; // Search query
branch?: string; // Optional branch name
maxResults?: number; // Maximum results to return
}
git_diff (Coming Soon)
Get a diff between two branches or commits.
{
owner: string; // GitHub organization or username
repo: string; // Repository name
base: string; // Base branch/commit
head: string; // Head branch/commit
}
Development
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/x51xxx/github-explorer-mcp.git
cd github-explorer-mcp
# Install dependencies
npm install
# IMPORTANT: This project requires Node.js 18 or later
# If using nvm, run:
nvm use
# Build the project
npm run build
# Run the built server
npm start
# or
npm run start:sse
Troubleshooting
Node.js Version Issues
This project requires Node.js 18 or newer because it uses modern Web APIs like ReadableStream. If you encounter errors like:
ReferenceError: ReadableStream is not defined
You should:
- Update Node.js to version 18 or later
- If using nvm, run
nvm usein the project directory - Make sure to use the modified scripts that include necessary polyfills
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.
License
MIT
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