MCP Directory

How to add Octocode to Claude Desktop

Research code like a senior staff engineer: GitHub, local FS, and LSP intelligence wired into your AI assistant. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 864★ · stdio · oauth

Claude Desktop config for Octocode

npx octocode-cli install
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "octocode": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "octocode-mcp@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

  1. 1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
  2. 2Paste the Octocode config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
  3. 3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
  4. 4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
  5. 5Open a chat and confirm Octocode's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

  • Node.js (pulled in automatically by Homebrew when installing the CLI)
  • GitHub authentication for the GitHub-backed tools (run `octocode login` for the GitHub OAuth device flow)

What Octocode can do in Claude Desktop

githubSearchCode

Search code across GitHub repositories.

githubSearchRepositories

Search for GitHub repositories.

githubSearchPullRequests

Search and explore GitHub pull requests.

githubGetFileContent

Read file contents from a GitHub repository.

githubViewRepoStructure

View the file/directory structure of a GitHub repository.

githubCloneRepo

Clone a GitHub repository locally.

localSearchCode

Search code in your local codebase using ripgrep.

localFindFiles

Find files in your local codebase.

Security

GitHub authentication is required for the GitHub-backed tools. Auth is handled via a GitHub OAuth device flow (`octocode login`), with `--hostname` support for GitHub Enterprise. The repo ships a standalone `octocode-security-utils` package. Local tools (ripgrep search, file reading, LSP) operate on your local filesystem.

Octocode + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Octocode config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Octocode safe to use with Claude Desktop?

GitHub authentication is required for the GitHub-backed tools. Auth is handled via a GitHub OAuth device flow (`octocode login`), with `--hostname` support for GitHub Enterprise. The repo ships a standalone `octocode-security-utils` package. Local tools (ripgrep search, file reading, LSP) operate on your local filesystem.

How do I install Octocode as an MCP server?

Run `npx octocode-cli install` for the interactive installer (handles GitHub OAuth, MCP config, and skills), or add the manual `mcpServers` block with command `npx` and args `["octocode-mcp@latest"]` to your MCP configuration file. Pass `--ide <client>` for a non-interactive install.

Which AI clients are supported?

Cursor, Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Windsurf, Zed, Trae, Antigravity, Kiro, Codex, Opencode, Gemini CLI, Goose, and VS Code Cline / Roo / Continue.

Do I need GitHub authentication?

Yes, for the GitHub-backed tools. Run `octocode login` to start a GitHub OAuth device flow; use `--hostname` for GitHub Enterprise.

View repo Full Octocode page