If you’re working with Claude Code and wondering whether to use the Git MCP server or stick with GitHub CLI, you’re asking the right question. The answer isn’t about which tool is better but about understanding the trade-offs and choosing the right tool for your workflow.

The Core Difference

Git MCP wraps Git operations in a structured protocol that Claude can interact with through tool calls. Every Git operation becomes a formal function invocation with parameters, responses, and token overhead.

GitHub CLI (gh) is a command-line tool that Claude Code executes directly through bash, just like any other terminal command. It’s fast, familiar, and token-efficient.

The Token Economics Problem

Here’s the reality: MCP servers consume significant tokens. Every tool call includes:

  • Function schema definitions
  • Parameter serialization
  • Structured response formatting
  • Error handling overhead

When Claude Code calls an MCP tool, it’s not just running git status but invoking a formal function with structured I/O. This adds up fast, especially in iterative workflows where you’re checking status, staging files, committing, and pushing repeatedly.

Meanwhile, gh and git commands run as simple bash executions. Claude Code excels at using CLI tools and is literally built for this. A command like gh pr create --title "Fix bug" --body "Description" is direct, readable, and uses minimal tokens.

When to Use GitHub CLI

Use gh and git CLI when:

  1. You’re in Claude Code’s agentic workflow - Claude Code is exceptionally good at composing and executing shell commands. It’s in its comfort zone.

  2. You need token efficiency - Every conversation has a budget. Don’t blow it on MCP overhead for simple Git operations.

  3. Your workflow is iteration-heavy - Staging files, checking diffs, committing, pushing: these repetitive operations add up. CLI commands keep your token budget lean.

  4. You want transparent execution - CLI commands are visible in your terminal. You see exactly what’s being run. No abstraction layer hiding the details.

  5. You’re working with standard Git/GitHub operations - Creating PRs, checking status, viewing diffs, managing branches: gh handles all of this beautifully.

When Git MCP Makes Sense

Consider Git MCP when:

  1. You’re building complex integrations - If you’re creating systems where multiple tools need to coordinate Git operations through a standardized protocol, MCP provides structure.

  2. You need programmatic Git workflows in non-Claude contexts - MCP shines when you’re building agents or automation systems that require typed interfaces to Git operations.

  3. You’re working in environments without CLI access - Some sandboxed environments may restrict direct shell access but allow MCP connections.

  4. You want guardrails and validation - MCP’s structured approach can prevent malformed Git commands through schema validation.

My Recommendation for Claude Code Users

Default to GitHub CLI.

Claude Code is already optimized for command-line interactions. It understands Git workflows, composes complex commands correctly, and handles errors gracefully. Adding MCP as a middleman doesn’t improve the experience and just consumes tokens you could use for actual development work.

Here’s what a typical workflow looks like with CLI:

# Check status
git status

# Create and switch to new branch
git checkout -b feature/new-component

# Stage and commit
git add src/components/NewComponent.tsx
git commit -m "Add NewComponent with TypeScript types"

# Push and create PR
git push -u origin feature/new-component
gh pr create --title "Add NewComponent" --body "Implements new component with full type safety"

Clean, efficient, and token-conscious.

The Bigger Picture: Token-Aware Development

This decision reflects a broader principle: be intentional about token usage. Every abstraction layer has a cost. MCP servers are powerful for the right use cases, but they’re not free.

When you’re in an agentic coding session with Claude Code, your token budget is your runway. Spend it on:

  • Complex logic and architecture decisions
  • Code generation and refactoring
  • Debugging and problem-solving
  • Creative solutions to technical challenges

Don’t spend it on wrapping simple CLI commands in structured protocols.

Conclusion

Git MCP has its place in the ecosystem, particularly for building robust multi-agent systems or providing typed interfaces to Git operations. But for day-to-day development with Claude Code, GitHub CLI is the pragmatic choice.

Claude Code is excellent at using terminal tools. Let it do what it does best. Save your tokens for the hard problems.