Getting Started with the GitKraken MCP Server

Last updated: October 2025

You can install the GitKraken MCP Server through GitLens or the GitKraken CLI. This guide walks you through installation in supported IDEs.

• Install via GitLens
• GitKraken CLI

Install via GitLens

The GitKraken MCP Server is bundled with GitLens for VS Code version 1.101.0 and later. No manual setup is required.

If you’re using an older version of VS Code (prior to 1.101.0), install the MCP Server from the command palette in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or other VS Code–based IDEs.

You can also install the MCP Server directly using the following deeplinks:

• VS Code
• VS Code Insiders
• Cursor
• Windsurf
• Trae

Each link handles all required configuration automatically.

Verify installation

1. Ensure you are in Agent Mode.
2. Click the gear icon in the lower-right corner of the Copilot side panel.

3. Scroll through the list of available MCP servers.
4. Locate MCP Server: GitKraken (bundled with GitLens).

GitKraken CLI

You can also install the GitKraken MCP Server using the GitKraken CLI. Follow these steps to set up the MCP Server across different IDEs.

After installation, run the following command in your terminal to authenticate with your GitKraken account:

gk auth login

Once authenticated, add the MCP server to your preferred agent.

VS Code

To install the MCP server in VS Code, use the command palette:

1. Open the command palette and select MCP: Add server…

2. When prompted, select stdio as the server type.

3. In the next prompt, enter the following command:

gk mcp

4. Provide a name for the server and press Enter.

5. To verify, make sure you are in Agent Mode, then click the gear icon in the lower-right corner of the Copilot side panel.

Note: MCP Tools must be enabled in VS Code settings for the server to function.

Cursor

To install the MCP server in Cursor:

1. Open the command palette and select View: Open MCP Settings.

2. If no servers are installed, click Add Custom MCP to begin setup.

3. Add the GitKraken MCP server configuration to the JSON file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitkraken": {
      "command": "gk",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Note: Windows users must have the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installed.

Claude Desktop

To configure the MCP server in Claude Desktop:

1. From the app toolbar, open Settings, then navigate to the Developer tab.

2. Click Edit Config to open the claude_desktop_config.json directory.
3. Edit the file and paste in the following JSON:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitkraken": {
      "command": "gk",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

4. Save the file and restart Claude Desktop.

JetBrains IntelliJ

To add the GitKraken MCP Server to JetBrains IntelliJ:

JetBrains AI Assistant is required.

1. Navigate to Settings > Tools > AI Assistant > Model Context Protocol (MCP).
2. Click Add to create a new MCP server configuration.
3. In the dialog, select As JSON from the dropdown.
4. Paste the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitkraken": {
      "command": "gk",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Next Steps

After completing installation, visit our Example Workflows to explore how the GitKraken MCP Server can simplify your daily development tasks.