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Update Claude Code installation command for v2.1.1+ add-json format #1766

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SamMorrowDrums merged 3 commits into from
Jan 8, 2026
Merged

Update Claude Code installation command for v2.1.1+ add-json format #1766

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Copilot Jan 8, 2026
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Update Claude Code installation command to use add-json format for v2…
Copilot Jan 8, 2026
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Use default scope in examples and clarify --scope flag is optional
Copilot Jan 8, 2026
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30 changes: 24 additions & 6 deletions docs/installation-guides/install-claude.md
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Expand Up @@ -28,15 +28,23 @@ echo -e ".env\n.mcp.json" >> .gitignore

### Remote Server Setup (Streamable HTTP)

> **Note**: For Claude Code versions **2.1.1 and newer**, use the `add-json` command format below. For older versions, see the [legacy command format](#for-older-versions-of-claude-code).

1. Run the following command in the terminal (not in Claude Code CLI):
```bash
claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
claude mcp add-json github '{"type":"http","url":"https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp","headers":{"Authorization":"Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"}}' --scope user
```

With an environment variable:
```bash
claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp -H "Authorization: Bearer $(grep GITHUB_PAT .env | cut -d '=' -f2)"
claude mcp add-json github '{"type":"http","url":"https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp","headers":{"Authorization":"Bearer '"$(grep GITHUB_PAT .env | cut -d '=' -f2)"'"}}' --scope user
```

> **About the `--scope` flag**: This specifies where the configuration is stored. Options:
> - `local` (default): Available only to you in the current project (was called `project` in older versions)
> - `project`: Shared with everyone in the project via `.mcp.json` file
> - `user`: Available to you across all projects (was called `global` in older versions)

2. Restart Claude Code
3. Run `claude mcp list` to see if the GitHub server is configured

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -72,6 +80,19 @@ claude mcp list
claude mcp get github
```

### For Older Versions of Claude Code

If you're using Claude Code version **2.1.0 or earlier**, use this legacy command format:

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_GITHUB_PAT"
```

With an environment variable:
```bash
claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp -H "Authorization: Bearer $(grep GITHUB_PAT .env | cut -d '=' -f2)"
```

---

## Claude Desktop
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -161,7 +182,4 @@ Add this codeblock to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

- The npm package `@modelcontextprotocol/server-github` is deprecated as of April 2025
- Remote server requires Streamable HTTP support (check your Claude version)
- Configuration scopes for Claude Code:
- `-s user`: Available across all projects
- `-s project`: Shared via `.mcp.json` file
- Default: `local` (current project only)
- For Claude Code configuration scopes, see the `--scope` flag documentation in the [Remote Server Setup](#remote-server-setup-streamable-http) section