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docs: add GitHub MCP Continue cookbook guide
bdougie 3293e35
fix: update GitHub MCP package name and formatting
bdougie 621e320
Merge branch 'main' into bdougie/con-4185
bdougie 8ca7068
Fix GitHub MCP configuration and update Node.js requirement
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| Original file line number | Diff line number | Diff line change |
|---|---|---|
| @@ -0,0 +1,376 @@ | ||
| --- | ||
| title: "GitHub Issues and PRs with GitHub MCP and Continue" | ||
| description: "Use Continue and the GitHub MCP to list, summarize, and act on open issues and recently merged pull requests with natural language prompts." | ||
| sidebarTitle: "GitHub Issues with Continue" | ||
| --- | ||
|
|
||
| <Card title="What You'll Build" icon="github"> | ||
| A GitHub workflow assistant that uses Continue with the GitHub MCP to: | ||
| - List, filter, and summarize open issues | ||
| - Review and summarize recently merged PRs | ||
| - Post comments with AI-generated summaries or checklists | ||
| - Automate routine GitHub maintenance with headless CLI runs | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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||
| ## Prerequisites | ||
|
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| Before starting, ensure you have: | ||
|
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| - Continue account with **Hub access** | ||
| - Read: [Understanding Agents — How to get started with Hub agents](/guides/understanding-agents#how-to-get-started-with-hub-agents) | ||
| - Node.js 22+ installed locally | ||
| - A GitHub account and a repository to work with | ||
| - A GitHub token with the appropriate scopes: | ||
| - For read-only: `repo:read` | ||
| - To comment on issues/PRs: `public_repo` for public repos or `repo` for private repos | ||
|
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||
| For all options, first: | ||
| <Steps> | ||
| <Step title="Install Continue CLI"> | ||
| ```bash | ||
| npm i -g @continuedev/cli | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Step> | ||
|
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||
| <Step title="Configure GitHub Token"> | ||
| Add your `GITHUB_TOKEN` to your [Continue Hub agent's environment variables](https://hub.continue.dev/settings). | ||
| </Step> | ||
| </Steps> | ||
|
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| <Warning> | ||
| To use agents in headless mode, you need a [Continue API key](https://hub.continue.dev/settings/api-keys). | ||
| For write actions (e.g., posting comments), your token must include the relevant GitHub scopes. | ||
| </Warning> | ||
|
|
||
| ## GitHub MCP Workflow Options | ||
|
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| <Card title="🚀 Fastest Path to Success" icon="rocket"> | ||
| Use the GitHub MCP from Continue Hub for one-click setup, or add it via CLI. | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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||
| After ensuring you meet the **Prerequisites** above, you have two paths to get started: | ||
|
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||
| <Tabs> | ||
| <Tab title="⚡ Quick Start (Recommended)"> | ||
| <Steps> | ||
| <Step title="Install GitHub MCP via Continue Hub"> | ||
| Visit the [Anthropic GitHub MCP](https://hub.continue.dev/anthropic/github-mcp) on Continue Hub and click **Install** to add it to your agent. | ||
|
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| The listing provides a pre-configured MCP block; add your `GITHUB_TOKEN` in Hub. | ||
| </Step> | ||
|
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| <Step title="Launch the Agent"> | ||
| From your repo root: | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn --config continuedev/github-manager-ai | ||
| ``` | ||
| Now try: "List my open issues labeled bug and summarize priorities." | ||
| </Step> | ||
| </Steps> | ||
|
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||
| <Info> | ||
| You can also attach an MCP to a one-off session: `cn --mcp anthropic/github-mcp`. | ||
| </Info> | ||
| </Tab> | ||
|
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||
| <Tab title="🛠️ Manual Setup"> | ||
| <Steps> | ||
| <Step title="Create a New Agent on Continue Hub"> | ||
| Go to the [Continue Hub](https://hub.continue.dev) and [create a new agent](https://hub.continue.dev/new?type=agent). | ||
| </Step> | ||
|
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||
| <Step title="Add GitHub MCP"> | ||
| Install from Hub (recommended) or add YAML manually. Minimal YAML example: | ||
|
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| ```yaml title="config.yaml" | ||
| mcpServers: | ||
| - name: GitHub MCP | ||
| command: npx | ||
| args: | ||
| - "-y" | ||
| - "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github" | ||
| env: | ||
| GITHUB_TOKEN: ${env:GITHUB_TOKEN} | ||
| connectionTimeout: 30 | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| Notes: | ||
| - The exact `command`/`args` may differ based on the MCP you choose on Hub. Hub templates prefill these for you. | ||
| - Provide `GITHUB_TOKEN` via environment or Hub secrets. | ||
| </Step> | ||
|
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||
| <Step title="Test the Connection"> | ||
| Launch Continue and ask: | ||
| ``` | ||
| List the 5 most recently updated open issues in this repository. | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Step> | ||
| </Steps> | ||
| </Tab> | ||
| </Tabs> | ||
|
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||
| <Accordion title="Agent Requirements"> | ||
| To use GitHub MCP with Continue CLI, you need either: | ||
| - **Continue CLI Pro Plan** with the models add-on, OR | ||
| - **Your own API keys** added to Continue Hub secrets | ||
|
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| The agent will automatically detect and use your configuration along with the GitHub MCP for issue and PR operations. | ||
|
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| </Accordion> | ||
|
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||
| --- | ||
|
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| ## Issue Workflows | ||
|
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| Use natural language to explore, triage, and act on open issues. The agent calls GitHub MCP tools under the hood. | ||
|
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| <Info> | ||
| **Where to run these workflows:** | ||
| - **IDE Extensions**: Use Continue in VS Code, JetBrains, or other supported IDEs | ||
| - **Terminal (TUI mode)**: Run `cn` to enter interactive mode, then type your prompts | ||
| - **CLI (headless mode)**: Use `cn -p "your prompt" --auto` for automation | ||
| </Info> | ||
|
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||
| ### Triage and Summaries | ||
|
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||
| <Card title="Summarize Open Issues" icon="clipboard-list"> | ||
| Get a prioritized overview of current open issues. | ||
|
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||
| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| List the 20 most recently updated open issues in this repo. | ||
| Cluster by label and severity. Summarize top priorities. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "List the 20 most recently updated open issues in this repo. Cluster by label and severity. Summarize top priorities." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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||
| <Card title="Owner/Label Filters" icon="filter"> | ||
| Narrow by label or assignee. | ||
|
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| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| Show open issues labeled bug or security, assigned to @me. | ||
| Summarize blockers and suggest next steps. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "Show open issues labeled bug or security, assigned to @me. Summarize blockers and suggest next steps." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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| ### Taking Action | ||
|
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| <Card title="Comment on an Issue" icon="comment"> | ||
| Post an AI-generated status update or checklist. | ||
|
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||
| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| Find the issue with the most engagement (comments, reactions) in the last 30 days. | ||
| Come up with a triage plan and draft a comment with: | ||
| - current hypothesis | ||
| - next 2 steps | ||
| - owner and ETA | ||
| Then post the comment. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "Find the issue with the most engagement in the last 30 days. Come up with a triage plan and draft a comment (hypothesis, next 2 steps, owner, ETA) and post it." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| <Note> | ||
| Requires a token with permission to comment (`public_repo` or `repo`). The agent will confirm before posting unless `--auto` is used. | ||
| </Note> | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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||
| <Card title="Find Stale Issues" icon="clock"> | ||
| Identify issues that need attention. | ||
|
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||
| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| Find open issues with no activity in the last 30 days. | ||
| Suggest action (close, needs-repro, or prioritize) and draft comments. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "Find open issues with no activity in the last 30 days. Suggest action and draft comments for each." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
|
||
| --- | ||
|
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||
| ## Merged PR Workflows | ||
|
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||
| Analyze recently merged PRs for change awareness, release notes, and quality signals. | ||
|
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| ### Recently Merged Overview | ||
|
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||
| <Card title="Merged PR Digest" icon="code-merge"> | ||
| Summarize merged PRs over a time window. | ||
|
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||
| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| List PRs merged in the last 7 days. | ||
| Group by area (label or path). Summarize impact and notable changes. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "List PRs merged in the last 7 days. Group by area (label or path). Summarize impact and notable changes." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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| ### Release Notes | ||
|
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| <Card title="Generate Release Notes" icon="file-lines"> | ||
| Turn merged PRs into crisp release notes. | ||
|
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| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| Generate release notes for PRs merged since tag v1.2.0. | ||
| Use keep-a-changelog sections and include PR numbers/authors. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "Generate release notes for PRs merged since tag v1.2.0. Use keep-a-changelog sections and include PR numbers/authors." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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| ### Deep Dives | ||
|
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||
| <Card title="Summarize a PR" icon="magnifying-glass"> | ||
| Get a human-readable summary of a recently merged PR with active discussion. | ||
|
|
||
| **TUI Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ``` | ||
| Find the last merged PR with a significant amount of comments. | ||
| Summarize the conversation, including goal, key changes, | ||
| risk areas, and any follow-ups. | ||
| ``` | ||
|
|
||
| **Headless Mode Prompt:** | ||
| ```bash | ||
| cn -p "Find the last merged PR with a significant amount of comments. Summarize the conversation including goal, key changes, risk areas, and follow-ups." --auto | ||
| ``` | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
|
||
| --- | ||
|
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| ## Automate with GitHub Actions | ||
|
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| Run headless commands on a schedule or in PRs to keep teams informed. | ||
|
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| ### Add GitHub Secrets | ||
|
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| Repository Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions: | ||
|
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||
| - `CONTINUE_API_KEY`: From [hub.continue.dev/settings/api-keys](https://hub.continue.dev/settings/api-keys) | ||
| - `GITHUB_TOKEN`: A token with permissions to read issues/PRs and post comments | ||
|
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| ### Example Workflow | ||
|
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| Create `.github/workflows/github-mcp-reports.yml`: | ||
|
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| ```yaml | ||
| name: GitHub MCP Reports | ||
|
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||
| on: | ||
| schedule: | ||
| - cron: "0 13 * * 1" # Mondays 13:00 UTC | ||
| workflow_dispatch: | ||
| pull_request: | ||
| types: [opened, synchronize] | ||
|
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||
| jobs: | ||
| report: | ||
| runs-on: ubuntu-latest | ||
| env: | ||
| CONTINUE_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.CONTINUE_API_KEY }} | ||
| GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }} | ||
| steps: | ||
| - uses: actions/checkout@v4 | ||
| - uses: actions/setup-node@v4 | ||
| with: | ||
| node-version: "18" | ||
| - name: Install Continue CLI | ||
| run: npm i -g @continuedev/cli | ||
|
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| - name: Weekly Issue Triage Summary | ||
| if: github.event_name == 'schedule' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' | ||
| run: | | ||
| cn --config continuedev/github-manager-ai \ | ||
| -p "List open issues updated in the last 14 days. Group by label and priority. Propose top 5 actions and include issue links." \ | ||
| --auto > issue_summary.txt | ||
|
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| - name: Post PR Context Comment | ||
| if: github.event_name == 'pull_request' | ||
| env: | ||
| PR_NUMBER: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }} | ||
| run: | | ||
| REPORT=$(cn --config continuedev/github-manager-ai \ | ||
| -p "Summarize the context for PR #${PR_NUMBER}: related open issues, risk areas, and test suggestions. Keep under 200 words." \ | ||
| --auto) | ||
| gh pr comment ${PR_NUMBER} --body "$REPORT" | ||
| ``` | ||
|
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| <Info> | ||
| Use `continuedev/github-manager-ai` consistently throughout your automation as the recommended agent configuration. | ||
| </Info> | ||
|
|
||
| --- | ||
|
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| ## Troubleshooting | ||
|
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| - **Missing or invalid token:** Ensure `GITHUB_TOKEN` is set and has the required scopes. Try a minimal test: “List 3 open issues in this repo”. | ||
| - **Permissions errors on comment:** Your token must include `public_repo` (public) or `repo` (private) to write comments. | ||
| - **Rate limiting:** Reduce frequency or filter queries; consider using a PAT distinct from the default Actions token when running in CI. | ||
| - **MCP connection timeout:** If using custom YAML, increase `connectionTimeout` or verify the `command`/`args` from the Hub listing. | ||
|
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| ## What You've Built | ||
|
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| After completing this guide, you have a complete **AI-powered GitHub workflow system** that: | ||
|
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| - ✅ Uses natural language — Simple prompts for complex GitHub operations | ||
| - ✅ Automates issue triage — AI analyzes and summarizes open issues | ||
| - ✅ Generates release notes — Automatic PR digests and changelogs | ||
| - ✅ Runs continuously — Automated reports via GitHub Actions | ||
|
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| <Card title="Continuous AI" icon="rocket"> | ||
| Your GitHub workflow now operates at **[Level 2 Continuous | ||
| AI](https://blog.continue.dev/what-is-continuous-ai-a-developers-guide/)** - | ||
| AI handles routine issue triage and PR summaries with human oversight | ||
| through review and approval. | ||
| </Card> | ||
|
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| ## Next Steps | ||
|
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| 1. **Explore your issues** - Try the issue triage prompts on your repository | ||
| 2. **Generate release notes** - Use the merged PR prompts to create changelogs | ||
| 3. **Set up automation** - Add the GitHub Actions workflow to your repo | ||
| 4. **Customize prompts** - Tailor the prompts to your team's workflow | ||
| 5. **Monitor progress** - Track issue resolution metrics over time | ||
|
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| ## Additional Resources | ||
|
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||
| <CardGroup cols={2}> | ||
| <Card title="GitHub MCP (Anthropic)" icon="link" href="https://hub.continue.dev/anthropic/github-mcp"> | ||
| Anthropic GitHub MCP on Continue Hub | ||
| </Card> | ||
| <Card title="MCP in Continue" icon="book" href="/customize/deep-dives/mcp"> | ||
| How MCP works with Continue agents | ||
| </Card> | ||
| <Card title="GitHub Manager AI Agent" icon="robot" href="https://hub.continue.dev/continuedev/github-manager-ai"> | ||
| Pre-configured agent on Continue Hub | ||
| </Card> | ||
| <Card title="GitHub MCP Server" icon="link" href="https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server/blob/main/README.md"> | ||
| Official GitHub MCP server README | ||
| </Card> | ||
| </CardGroup> | ||
|
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||
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