GitHubCard
Create GitHub profile and repository cards for READMEs, link previews and social posts.
Install
Add this to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop: claude_desktop_config.json; Cursor: .cursor/mcp.json; VS Code and others use the same "mcpServers" shape).
claude mcp add --transport http githubcard 'https://githubcard.com/mcp' --header 'Authorization: <"Bearer " followed by an API key from https://githubcard.com/dashboard. Needed to create cards; templates, palettes and components work without it.>'
{
"mcpServers": {
"githubcard": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://githubcard.com/mcp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "<\"Bearer \" followed by an API key from https://githubcard.com/dashboard. Needed to create cards; templates, palettes and components work without it.>"
}
}
}
}
@ghcardhq/ghcardclaude mcp add githubcard -e 'GHCARD_API_KEY=<your ghcard_api_key>' -- npx -y @ghcardhq/ghcard@0.2.0 mcp
{
"mcpServers": {
"githubcard": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@ghcardhq/ghcard@0.2.0",
"mcp"
],
"env": {
"GHCARD_API_KEY": "<your ghcard_api_key>"
}
}
}
}
Environment variables
GHCARD_API_KEYsecret API key from https://githubcard.com/dashboard. Needed to create cards.
Documentation
From the project's README on GitHub, refreshed weekly. Links open on GitHub.
GitHubCard MCP server
Let your AI assistant create GitHubCard images: profile and repository cards for READMEs, link previews and social posts, with live GitHub data.
- Hosted:
https://githubcard.com/mcp(Streamable HTTP). Nothing to install. - Local:
npx -y @ghcardhq/ghcard mcp(stdio), from theghcardCLI. It can also edit a README on your disk.
Ask things like:
Make a GitHubCard for my profile and add it to the top of my README.
Create a dark card for
vercel/next.jsI can use as a link preview.Use the compact repo template, but with a
#1e3a5fbackground and without the language widget.
Get an API key
Creating cards needs a free API key. Sign in at
githubcard.com/dashboard and create one under
API keys. It looks like ghc_live_….
Without a key, the server still lists templates, palettes and widget types, so you can try it before signing up.
Setup
Replace ghc_live_… with your key in the examples below.
Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport http githubcard https://githubcard.com/mcp \
--header "Authorization: Bearer ghc_live_…"
There is also a Claude Code plugin that adds the server together with a GitHubCard skill: see ghcardhq/skills.
Claude Desktop
Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector, URL
https://githubcard.com/mcp. Custom headers are not available there yet, so to
pass your key, use the local server in claude_desktop_config.json instead:
{
"mcpServers": {
"githubcard": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@ghcardhq/ghcard", "mcp"],
"env": { "GHCARD_API_KEY": "ghc_live_…" }
}
}
}
Cursor
~/.cursor/mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"githubcard": {
"url": "https://githubcard.com/mcp",
"headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ghc_live_…" }
}
}
}
VS Code
.vscode/mcp.json (VS Code asks for the key once and stores it securely):
{
"inputs": [
{
"id": "githubcard-key",
"type": "promptString",
"description": "GitHubCard API key",
"password": true
}
],
"servers": {
"githubcard": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://githubcard.com/mcp",
"headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:githubcard-key}" }
}
}
}
Windsurf
~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"githubcard": {
"serverUrl": "https://githubcard.com/mcp",
"headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ghc_live_…" }
}
}
}
Codex CLI
~/.codex/config.toml:
[mcp_servers.githubcard]
url = "https://githubcard.com/mcp"
bearer_token_env_var = "GHCARD_API_KEY"
Then export GHCARD_API_KEY=ghc_live_… in your shell.
Any other client
Remote: Streamable HTTP at https://githubcard.com/mcp, header
Authorization: Bearer ghc_live_….
Local (stdio): command npx, args ["-y", "@ghcardhq/ghcard", "mcp"], env
GHCARD_API_KEY. Add --allow-file-writes to the args to enable
update_readme. Needs Node.js 20 or later.
Tools
| Tool | Key | What it does |
|---|---|---|
create_card | yes | Create (or reuse) a card for a user or owner/repo. Returns SVG/PNG links and Markdown/HTML embed snippets. Uses one unit of the daily quota |
validate_card | yes | Dry run of create_card: checks ids, Pro features and custom designs, uses no quota |
list_templates | no | Layouts, filterable by scope (profile/repo), Free plan and widget types |
list_palettes | no | Background palettes |
list_components | no | Widget types a card can contain |
get_template_design | no | A template's layout as an editable design document |
get_card_design | yes | The design document of one of your cards |
list_cards | yes | Cards you have created |
delete_card | yes | Delete a card; its links stop working |
get_usage | yes | Your plan and today's remaining quota |
update_readme | local only | Insert or update the card in a Markdown file. Only with ghcard mcp --allow-file-writes |
create_card is idempotent: the same inputs return the same card and link. Card
images always show current GitHub data, so there is no need to recreate them.
Failed calls return isError: true with a stable code, a retryable flag
and a hint telling the model what to do next.
Limits
| Plan | Cards per day |
|---|---|
| Free | 100 |
| Pro | 5000 |
The quota resets at 00:00 UTC. Failed calls are not counted. Free cards carry a small watermark. See pricing.
Links
- githubcard.com: the editor and gallery
- ghcardhq/ghcard: the CLI and local MCP server
- ghcardhq/skills: Claude Code plugin and skill
server.json: the entry in the MCP registry, ascom.githubcard/mcp
License
MIT
Frequently asked questions
What is GitHubCard?
Create GitHub profile and repository cards for READMEs, link previews and social posts.
How do I install GitHubCard?
It runs as a remote server. In Claude Code: claude mcp add --transport http githubcard 'https://githubcard.com/mcp' --header 'Authorization: <"Bearer " followed by an API key from https://githubcard.com/dashboard. Needed to create cards; templates, palettes and components work without it.>'. For other clients, paste the JSON configuration from this page into their MCP settings.
Does GitHubCard need an API key?
Yes. It expects GHCARD_API_KEY, Authorization, which you set in its configuration.
Is GitHubCard open source?
Yes. Its code is on GitHub under the MIT license.
Who maintains GitHubCard?
It is published by ghcardhq. AI.tn lists it but does not maintain or endorse it.
From the official MCP Registry. Listing is not an endorsement: review a server's code and permissions before giving it access to your data.