GitHub MCP Server vs Claude Code GitHub Actions
I recently discovered there are two different ways to connect Claude and GitHub, and honestly, the naming made them sound like they did the same thing. They don't. At all.
Let me explain what I learnt—and why one of them is perfect for my situation whilst the other would cost me quite a bit extra.
What's the Difference?
GitHub MCP Server lets my AI tools (Claude Desktop, VS Code, etc.) access GitHub. I ask Claude something, it queries GitHub through the MCP server, and gives me an answer. The flow is: me → Claude → GitHub.
Claude Code GitHub Actions works the opposite way. I mention @claude in a GitHub issue or PR, and GitHub spins up a cloud runner, executes Claude Code there, and pushes results back to my repo. The flow is: me → GitHub → Claude (running in the cloud).
The Cost Situation
Here's where it gets interesting for me as a Claude Pro subscriber.
When I use Claude Code on my laptop, it's included in my £18/month Pro subscription. Brilliant.
But Claude Code GitHub Actions requires:
- An Anthropic API key (pay-as-you-go, separate from Pro)
- GitHub Actions runner time
So even though I'm already paying for Claude Pro, I'd be adding two new line items to my monthly costs. That's not what I'm after as a solo developer keeping expenses tight.
Why GitHub MCP Server Works for Me
The GitHub MCP Server costs me nothing extra. It's free, open source, and works with my existing Claude Pro subscription.
Once set up, Claude Code can interact with GitHub directly from my laptop. I can ask it to check PR status, list open issues, review workflow runs, or analyse commits—all within the subscription I'm already paying for.
As a solo developer experimenting with AI-assisted development, this is exactly what I need. I'm working interactively with Claude anyway, so having it access GitHub whilst I'm present is perfect. I don't need autonomous agents running in the background whilst I'm asleep.
What I'm Missing (And Why That's Fine)
The GitHub Actions approach offers some genuinely powerful features:
- Background automation (Claude works on tasks without me present)
- Parallel agents (multiple Claude instances on different issues simultaneously)
- Autonomous responses (automatic reactions to
@claudementions)
These are impressive capabilities, but they solve problems I don't have yet. I'm experimenting, learning, and building. I don't need multiple AI agents working in parallel—I need one good assistant that can access my GitHub repositories when I ask it to.
When I Might Reconsider
If my situation changes, GitHub Actions could become worthwhile. Specifically:
- If I start managing multiple repositories that need regular automated maintenance
- If I build a team and want AI to handle initial PR reviews automatically
- If background processing becomes more valuable than the API + runner costs
- If I hit my Claude Pro usage limits regularly and need to scale up anyway
But right now? The MCP server gives me 90% of the value at 0% of the additional cost.
The Takeaway
For solo developers with Claude Pro who want to experiment with GitHub integration, the GitHub MCP Server is the obvious choice. It's cost-effective, powerful enough for interactive development work, and doesn't require managing API credits or monitoring runner costs.
Claude Code GitHub Actions is brilliant for what it does, but it solves a different problem—one that comes with a price tag that doesn't make sense for my current situation.
Sometimes the best tool is the one that does exactly what you need without costing you extra. For me, that's the GitHub MCP Server.
P.S. Here's a sequence diagram that makes this super clear.