How To Push An Existing Project To GitHub - DigitalOcean

Setting up GitHub MCP Server on Cursor, VS Code, and Claude

The GitHub MCP Server can be integrated into multiple environments like VS Code, Cursor, and Claude to give AI tools direct access to GitHub APIs and repositories.

VS Code Setup

Prerequisites:

• Docker installed and running.
• A GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT) with appropriate scopes.

Installation Steps:

1. Clone the GitHub MCP Server repository:

   git clone https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server.git cd github-mcp-server

2. Build and run the Docker container:

   docker build -t github-mcp-server . docker run -d -p 3000:3000 -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<your_personal_access_token> github-mcp-server

3. Configure VS Code to connect to the MCP Server by adding the following JSON snippet to your VS Code settings:

   { "githubMCPServer": { "url": "http://localhost:3000", "token": "<your_personal_access_token>" } }

Note: Configuration format may differ depending on the IDE. For the latest details and host-specific examples, always refer to the GitHub MCP Server documentation.

Cursor Setup

Prerequisites:

• Docker installed and running.
• A GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT).

Installation Steps:

1. Pull and run the MCP Server Docker image:

   docker pull ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:latest docker run -d -p 3000:3000 -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<your_personal_access_token> ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:latest

2. Configure Cursor by setting the MCP Server URL and token in your Cursor config file (cursor-config.json):

   { "mcpServer": { "url": "http://localhost:3000", "token": "<your_personal_access_token>" } }

Claude Setup

Prerequisites:

• Docker installed and running.
• A GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT).
• Claude Desktop or Claude Code CLI installed.

Installation Steps:

1. Run the GitHub MCP Server Docker container:

   docker run -d -p 3000:3000 -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<your_personal_access_token> ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server:latest

2. Configure Claude by adding the MCP Server connection details in the Claude configuration file:

   { "githubMcpServer": { "url": "http://localhost:3000", "token": "<your_personal_access_token>" } }

3. Restart Claude to apply the configuration.

For detailed information, refer to the official GitHub MCP Server repository.

Note: For the latest installation details and troubleshooting, always refer to the GitHub MCP Server documentation.

FAQs

Do I need Docker to run the GitHub MCP Server? Docker is the recommended and easiest way to run the GitHub MCP Server since the official image is published on GitHub Container Registry. However, you can also build it from source using Go if you prefer not to use Docker.

What permissions should my GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT) have? At minimum, your PAT should include repo for repository operations. Depending on your use case, you may also enable read:packages, read:org, and workflow for GitHub Actions. Follow the principle of least privilege and only enable the scopes you need.

Can I use the GitHub MCP Server without VS Code? Yes. The MCP Server can be integrated with multiple hosts such as Cursor, Claude Desktop, Claude Code CLI, and Windsurf in addition to VS Code. Each host has its own configuration format, but all rely on the same server backend.

Is there a difference between the remote and local GitHub MCP Server? Yes. The remote server is hosted by GitHub and provides the fastest setup for supported hosts, while the local server runs on your machine using Docker or a compiled binary. If your host does not support remote MCP servers, use the local version.

How do I keep my PAT secure? Always store your PAT in environment variables or a .env file and add it to .gitignore to avoid committing it by mistake. Rotate tokens periodically and restrict file permissions on configuration files that contain secrets.

How do I push my first project to GitHub?

To push your first project to GitHub, start by initializing a Git repository in your project folder using git init. Next, add your files with git add -A, then commit them using git commit -m "Initial commit". Set your remote repository with git remote add origin <your-repo-url>, and finally, push your code using git push -u origin main. This process securely uploads your local project to your GitHub account, making it accessible online.

Do I need to create a new repo first?

Yes, you must create a new repository on GitHub before you can push your local project. This provides a destination for your code and generates a unique URL (HTTPS or SSH) that you’ll use as the remote origin. Creating the repo first ensures your project is organized, version-controlled, and ready for collaboration or deployment. Skipping this step will result in errors when you try to push your code.

What’s the difference between main and master?

main and master are both names for the default branch in a Git repository. GitHub now uses main as the standard default branch name for new repositories to promote more inclusive language, while older repositories may still use master. Functionally, there is no difference between the two; both serve as the primary branch where your production-ready code lives. You can rename branches as needed to match your workflow.

Platform Strategy Insight: While GitLab offers superior CI/CD integration and Bitbucket provides better Atlassian ecosystem integration, GitHub’s market dominance (100M+ developers), extensive third-party integrations, and Microsoft’s enterprise backing make it the strategic choice for maximum developer reach and long-term platform stability.

How do I fix “remote origin already exists”?

If you see the error “remote origin already exists,” it means your Git repository already has a remote named origin. To resolve this, remove the existing remote with git remote remove origin. Then, add the correct remote URL using git remote add origin <your-repo-url>. This ensures your local repository is linked to the right GitHub repository, preventing push and pull errors and keeping your workflow smooth.

Can I push an existing project to GitHub Desktop instead of CLI?

Absolutely! GitHub Desktop provides a user-friendly graphical interface for managing your repositories. You can add your local project, commit changes, and push to GitHub without using command-line commands. Visual Studio Code also offers built-in Git integration, allowing you to stage, commit, and push changes directly from the editor. These tools are ideal for beginners or anyone who prefers a visual workflow.

How do I update my project after the first push?

After your initial push to GitHub, updating your project is simple. Make changes to your files locally, then use git add to stage the changes and git commit -m "Describe your update" to save them. Finally, run git push to upload your latest commits to GitHub. This workflow keeps your remote repository in sync with your local project and ensures your code history is always up to date.

Can AI tools help me push projects to GitHub? Yes. Tools like GitHub MCP Server allow AI assistants (such as Claude, Cursor, or VS Code Copilot Chat) to interact with your GitHub repositories using natural language. This can automate pushing code, creating pull requests, and managing issues.

Is GitHub MCP Server safe to use with AI agents? Yes, as long as you scope your Personal Access Tokens correctly, store them securely, and follow GitHub’s recommended best practices. Limiting scopes and rotating tokens improves security when connecting AI tools.