Git-Steer

You can run a self-hosted MCP server that gives you autonomous, natural-language control over your GitHub account. The server acts as the brain, while your computer provides the secure access point, keeping all state in a private repository and performing code changes through ephemeral cloud workers. This setup enables you to manage repos, branches, security, Actions, and more without cloning code locally.

How to use

Start by launching the MCP server through your preferred local runtime. The server accepts natural language intent and translates it into actions that are executed on GitHub. Typical workflows include scanning repositories for vulnerabilities, dispatching workflows to fix issues, managing branches and protections, and querying the status of dispatched actions.

How to install

Prerequisites: ensure you have a modern version of Node.js and npm installed on your machine.

1. Install and initialize the MCP server for the first time.

# First-time setup
npx git-steer init

# Start the MCP server
npx git-steer

Additional notes

You can run the MCP server in standard mode using a simple local command, or you can operate from a locally checked-out version of the project. The common start command is shown below in the Quick Start examples.

Troubleshooting and tips

If you encounter offline behavior, the server operates in read-only mode using cached state and will queue write operations for the next online session. Ensure your GitHub App credentials are securely stored in your keychain and that your private state repository is accessible when online.

Examples of typical use

You can say or type prompts like: “List all my repos,” “Scan all my repos for security vulnerabilities,” or “Fix the critical vulnerabilities in cortex.” The server translates these prompts into actions such as listing repositories, performing vulnerability scans, dispatching protection workflows, or checking the status of dispatched workflows.

Available tools

repo_list

List all repositories accessible to the authenticated GitHub App.

repo_create

Create a new repository, optionally from a template.

repo_archive

Archive an existing repository to prevent further changes.

repo_delete

Permanently delete a repository (requires explicit confirmation).

repo_settings

Update repository settings through the MCP server controls.

branch_list

List branches with staleness information for maintenance.

branch_protect

Apply protection rules to branches to enforce policies.

branch_reap

Delete stale or merged branches according to criteria.

security_scan

Scan repositories for vulnerabilities and provide fix recommendations.

security_fix_pr

Dispatch a workflow to fix vulnerabilities by creating a PR.

security_alerts

List Dependabot and code-scanning alerts across managed repos.

security_dismiss

Dismiss an alert with a reason.

security_digest

Provide a summary of security posture across managed repositories.

actions_workflows

List GitHub Actions workflows in managed repos.

actions_trigger

Manually trigger a GitHub Actions workflow.

actions_secrets

Manage GitHub Actions secrets.

workflow_status

Check the status of dispatched workflows.

config_show

Display current MCP server configuration.

config_add_repo

Add a repository to the managed list.

config_remove_repo

Remove a repository from the managed list.

steer_status

Check health and rate limits of the MCP server.

steer_sync

Force the MCP server to save its state to GitHub.

steer_logs

View the audit log of actions and state changes.