Search code

Search code

Returns files, and the repositories they live in, whose code matches a query such as an import of a package.

Note: The REST endpoint requires authentication and allows 10 requests per minute.

Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

{ "mcpServers": { "github": { "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/" } } }

Call the MCP tool search_code.

Server URL: https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

CLI (official)

Install the command and sign in with it, then confirm it runs.

brew install gh
gh --version

Run gh search code.

API (official)

• Base URL: https://api.github.com
• Endpoint: GET /search/code
• Auth: send the header Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_TOKEN
• Get a key: https://github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new
• Docs: https://docs.github.com/en/rest

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

Rules

• Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
• Never print API keys.