github extension not connecting with GeminiCLI

[abhid1234]

Describe the bug

github extension not connecting with GeminiCLI

Steps to reproduce the behavior

Installed using below command and also updated /.gemini/settings.json

gemini extensions install https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server

Logs

✕ Error during discovery for MCP server 'github': Streamable HTTP error: Error POSTing to endpoint: bad request: Authorization
header is badly formatted

[RinZ27]

Hi @abhid1234,

I encountered the exact same issue recently in #1550. The error Authorization header is badly formatted usually stems from how the GITHUB_TOKEN is being passed or read by the Gemini CLI.

Make sure your ~/.gemini/settings.json has the environment variable correctly set. Also, verify that your token has the necessary scopes and isn't truncated. In my case, re-exporting the token and restarting the CLI fixed it.

Hope this helps!

[gabstevens]

Make sure your ~/.gemini/settings.json has the environment variable correctly set. Also, verify that your token has the necessary scopes and isn't truncated. In my case, re-exporting the token and restarting the CLI fixed it.

+1 on @RinZ27 comment above, I encountered the exact same Authorization header is badly formatted issue but then I realised I skipped this in the Prerequisites section:

For security, avoid hardcoding your token. Create or update ~/.gemini/.env (where ~ is your home or project directory) with your PAT:

# ~/.gemini/.env
GITHUB_MCP_PAT=your_token_here

I created ~/.gemini/.env and added my PAT there. After doing this, it worked like a charm! Hope this helps anyone else running into the same error.

[kerobbi]

Hey @abhid1234, the extension requires GITHUB_MCP_PAT to be set in your environment - the easiest way is to add it to ~/.gemini/.env as described in the installation guide. Thanks to those who helped out here!

Closing this, but PRs are welcome if you feel the docs could be clearer.