GitHub Issues

Manage GitHub issues using the @modelcontextprotocol/server-github MCP server.

Available MCP Tools

Tool	Purpose
mcp__github__create_issue	Create new issues
mcp__github__update_issue	Update existing issues
mcp__github__get_issue	Fetch issue details
mcp__github__search_issues	Search issues
mcp__github__add_issue_comment	Add comments
mcp__github__list_issues	List repository issues

Workflow

1. Determine action: Create, update, or query?
2. Gather context: Get repo info, existing labels, milestones if needed
3. Structure content: Use appropriate template from references/templates.md
4. Execute: Call the appropriate MCP tool
5. Confirm: Report the issue URL to user

Creating Issues

Required Parameters

owner: repository owner (org or user)
repo: repository name  
title: clear, actionable title
body: structured markdown content

Optional Parameters

labels: ["bug", "enhancement", "documentation", ...]
assignees: ["username1", "username2"]
milestone: milestone number (integer)

Title Guidelines

• Start with type prefix when useful: [Bug], [Feature], [Docs]
• Be specific and actionable
• Keep under 72 characters
• Examples:
  • [Bug] Login fails with SSO enabled
  • [Feature] Add dark mode support
  • Add unit tests for auth module

Body Structure

Always use the templates in references/templates.md. Choose based on issue type:

User Request	Template
Bug, error, broken, not working	Bug Report
Feature, enhancement, add, new	Feature Request
Task, chore, refactor, update	Task

Updating Issues

Use mcp__github__update_issue with:

owner, repo, issue_number (required)
title, body, state, labels, assignees, milestone (optional - only changed fields)

State values: open, closed

Examples

Example 1: Bug Report

User: "Create a bug issue - the login page crashes when using SSO"

Action: Call mcp__github__create_issue with:

{
  "owner": "github",
  "repo": "awesome-copilot",
  "title": "[Bug] Login page crashes when using SSO",
  "body": "## Description\nThe login page crashes when users attempt to authenticate using SSO.\n\n## Steps to Reproduce\n1. Navigate to login page\n2. Click 'Sign in with SSO'\n3. Page crashes\n\n## Expected Behavior\nSSO authentication should complete and redirect to dashboard.\n\n## Actual Behavior\nPage becomes unresponsive and displays error.\n\n## Environment\n- Browser: [To be filled]\n- OS: [To be filled]\n\n## Additional Context\nReported by user.",
  "labels": ["bug"]
}

Example 2: Feature Request

User: "Create a feature request for dark mode with high priority"

Action: Call mcp__github__create_issue with:

{
  "owner": "github",
  "repo": "awesome-copilot",
  "title": "[Feature] Add dark mode support",
  "body": "## Summary\nAdd dark mode theme option for improved user experience and accessibility.\n\n## Motivation\n- Reduces eye strain in low-light environments\n- Increasingly expected by users\n- Improves accessibility\n\n## Proposed Solution\nImplement theme toggle with system preference detection.\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Toggle switch in settings\n- [ ] Persists user preference\n- [ ] Respects system preference by default\n- [ ] All UI components support both themes\n\n## Alternatives Considered\nNone specified.\n\n## Additional Context\nHigh priority request.",
  "labels": ["enhancement", "high-priority"]
}

Common Labels

Use these standard labels when applicable:

Label	Use For
bug	Something isn't working
enhancement	New feature or improvement
documentation	Documentation updates
good first issue	Good for newcomers
help wanted	Extra attention needed
question	Further information requested
wontfix	Will not be addressed
duplicate	Already exists
high-priority	Urgent issues

Tips

• Always confirm the repository context before creating issues
• Ask for missing critical information rather than guessing
• Link related issues when known: Related to #123
• For updates, fetch current issue first to preserve unchanged fields