How to Connect Claude to GitHub (and Is It Safe?)

Connect GitHub in Claude's connector settings, then add a repository to a chat. Claude reads the code and answers questions about it.

Picks: 2; ranked

To connect Claude to GitHub, go to Customize > Connectors, select GitHub Integration and then Connect, and add a repository to a chat from the + menu. It works on every plan, including Free, with public repositories and private ones you grant access to.

Claude reads file names and contents so it can explain your code. It does not see commit history, pull requests or issues.

The integration only reads. To have Claude edit code, run commands or open pull requests, use Claude Code or the GitHub MCP server.

Good for

Developers who want Claude to explain or review a codebase in a chat
Newcomers reading an unfamiliar repository
People who keep repository files in a Claude project for repeated questions
Team and Enterprise Owners deciding whether to turn GitHub on

Install Claude

Claude app

1
In Claude, go to Customize > Connectors, select GitHub Integration and select Connect.
2
Open a chat, select + at the lower left of the message box and choose Add from GitHub.
3
Search the repositories you can access, or paste a repository URL.
4
Select Add repository, then send your question.

Requires A Claude account; every plan, including Free, Private repo: grant access to the Claude GitHub App, Team or Enterprise: GitHub is turned on for your organization.

Read-only mode: The integration only reads repository content. To limit it, give the Claude GitHub App access to specific repositories instead of all of them.

Pick the built-in integration to have Claude read code and answer questions. Anthropic's page lists file names, file contents, branch content and repository metadata as retrieved, and not commit history, pull requests or issues. (One sentence on the same page says Claude does not see repository metadata, so the page disagrees with itself on that.) For pull requests or issues, or to change code, use Claude Code or the GitHub MCP server.

From the vendor's docs. Source.

Connect GitHub and ask Claude about a repository

Claude

1
Connect GitHub
Go to Customize > Connectors, select GitHub Integration and select Connect. On Team and Enterprise it appears only while GitHub is turned on under Organization settings > Connectors.
2
Add a repository to a chat
Select + at the lower left of the message box and choose Add from GitHub. Search your repositories or paste a URL, then select Add repository.
3
Grant access to a private repository
If you see Claude cannot access that resource, use the here link to open the Claude GitHub App page. Grant access to all or specific repositories, or request access for an organization you do not administer.
4
Ask about the code
Claude answers from the file contents it retrieved.
Prompt
```
Explain how request authentication works in this repository.
```
5
Trace behavior
Start with a small subset of the codebase and keep the selected files within the context window.
Prompt
```
Where is the retry logic, and what happens when it gives up?
```
6
Keep a repository in a project
Add files and folders to a private project's knowledge so every chat in it can use them. In a shared project the GitHub option is dimmed.
Tip: Project repositories do not update by themselves. Select Sync now before a new analysis.

Permissions

Low risk

The built-in integration only reads, but whatever Claude retrieves goes into your chat and to Anthropic. Grant access to only the repositories you need.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only modeHow to turn it on

Watch out for

GitHub's MCP server can change code
GitHub says its server can manage issues and pull requests, so Claude can change repositories as you. Our advice: start with its --read-only flag and a token limited to the repositories you need. github.com
Claude reads code from every repository you allow
It retrieves file names, contents, branch content and repository metadata. Give the Claude GitHub App access to specific repositories rather than all of them. claude.com
Private code goes into your chat
Repository content you add becomes part of the conversation and is sent to Anthropic. Do not add code your company does not allow you to share. claude.com
Only private projects can hold repositories
In a shared project the GitHub option is dimmed, so the repository stays out of projects other people can see. claude.com
Organization admins control access
Requests for an organization repository go to its GitHub admins, and on Team and Enterprise an Owner turns GitHub on. claude.com

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 3, 2026.

Technical details

Turning on read-only	The integration only reads repository content. Limit its reach by granting the Claude GitHub App only the repositories you need.
Talks to	GitHub. Anthropic, which receives the repository content you add
Sign-in and keys	You sign in to GitHub and grant the Claude GitHub App access. You can change which repositories it reaches from the app page on GitHub.

Where it works

Where	Status	Note
Claude on the web	Native connector	GitHub Integration under Customize > Connectors. Every plan, including Free.
Claude Code	Official app	Anthropic points to Claude Code when you want Claude to edit code, run commands and open pull requests.
GitHub's MCP server	Official server	Pull requests, issues and Actions. Has a read-only option. Needs a GitHub sign-in or access key.
ChatGPT	Native connector	Connect under Settings > Plugins; it reads repositories on demand. Can work in deep research or agent mode where chat lacks it.

Top picks

Ranked by official status, then GitHub stars.

Verdict

Use Claude's built-in GitHub integration to have Claude read a repository and answer questions, on any plan. Its limit is that it reads files only: no pull requests, issues or edits. Add GitHub's MCP server or use Claude Code when you need those.

Our pick: Claude

Use Claude's built-in GitHub integration to have Claude read a repository and answer questions, on any plan. Its limit is that it reads files only: no pull requests, issues or edits.

Add GitHub's MCP server or use Claude Code when you need those.

Best for

Explaining or reviewing a codebase in a chat
Keeping a repository in a private project for repeated questions
Trying Claude on code without giving it write access

Skip it if

You need Claude to see pull requests, issues or commit history
You want Claude to edit code or open pull requests
You want to share a project that holds repository content

Questions

How do I connect Claude to GitHub?

Go to Customize > Connectors, select GitHub Integration and select Connect. Then add a repository from the + menu in a chat. The setup box above has the steps.

Is Claude's GitHub integration free?

Yes. Anthropic says it is available on every plan, including Free, for public repositories and private ones you grant access to.

Can Claude see my private repositories?

Yes, once you grant access. Pick the repository and use the here link to open the Claude GitHub App page, then allow all repositories or only specific ones.

Can Claude see pull requests, issues or commit history?

No. The integration retrieves file names, file contents, branch content and repository metadata, but not commit history, pull requests or issues.

Can Claude change my code on GitHub?

Not through this integration, which only reads. Anthropic points to Claude Code for editing code, running commands and opening pull requests.

Why does Add from GitHub not appear in my chat?

Your GitHub account is not connected yet. Connect it under Customize > Connectors. On Team and Enterprise, someone who manages the organization must turn GitHub on under Organization settings > Connectors.

Why is GitHub dimmed in my project?

Repository content can only go into a private project that you have not shared. In a shared project, the option is dimmed and says Only accessible from private projects.

How do I keep a repository in a project up to date?

Select Sync now on the repository in your project knowledge, especially before a new analysis or after big changes. You can also change which files and folders Claude reads.

Is it safe to connect GitHub to Claude?

The integration only reads, and you choose which repositories it reaches. What Claude retrieves goes to Anthropic. Our advice: skip code you are not allowed to share.

Claude's GitHub integration or GitHub's MCP server?

Anthropic's integration reads code to answer questions. GitHub's own MCP server works with pull requests, issues and Actions and can change repositories, and GitHub documents a --read-only flag. Our advice: start with read-only. See the GitHub MCP server page.

Information

updated Nov 3, 2026

Made by: Anthropic
Connector directory: claude.ai/directory

In the Claude directory

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 3

GitHub integration · claude.com
GitHub MCP Server · github.com
Connecting GitHub to ChatGPT · help.openai.com