Allow public-repository contribution tools to work with the narrower public_repo OAuth scope while keeping repo as an accepted parent scope.
Why
Several tools currently require repo in MCP scope metadata even though GitHub permits their public-repository operations with public_repo. That makes public-only deployments request private-repository access unnecessarily.
Use scopes.PublicRepo for fork_repository, create_branch, push_files, create_pull_request, issue_write, and add_issue_comment.
Add public_repo to the supported OAuth scope catalogue without adding it to the default grant; repo remains the default and an accepted parent scope.
Add focused scope-filter regression coverage and update generated documentation.
MCP impact
No tool or API changes
Tool schema or behavior changed
New tool added
Tool inputs and handlers are unchanged. The change affects OAuth scope filtering and advertised scope metadata only.
Prompts tested (tool changes only)
"Fork this public repository, create a branch, push the patch, and open a pull request."
"Open an issue on this public repository with the reproduction steps."
Security / limits
No security or limits impact
Auth / permissions considered
Data exposure, filtering, or token/size limits considered
This is a least-privilege change: public-only OAuth deployments can use public_repo without gaining private-repository access. Existing repo tokens remain compatible through the existing scope hierarchy.
Tool renaming
I am renaming tools as part of this PR (e.g. a part of a consolidation effort)
I am not renaming tools as part of this PR
Lint & tests
Linted locally with ./script/lint
Tested locally with UPDATE_TOOLSNAPS=true go test ./...
This file contains hidden or bidirectional Unicode text that may be interpreted or compiled differently than what appears below. To review, open the file in an editor that reveals hidden Unicode characters.
Learn more about bidirectional Unicode characters
Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.This suggestion is invalid because no changes were made to the code.Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is closed.Suggestions cannot be applied while viewing a subset of changes.Only one suggestion per line can be applied in a batch.Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.Applying suggestions on deleted lines is not supported.You must change the existing code in this line in order to create a valid suggestion.Outdated suggestions cannot be applied.This suggestion has been applied or marked resolved.Suggestions cannot be applied from pending reviews.Suggestions cannot be applied on multi-line comments.Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is queued to merge.Suggestion cannot be applied right now. Please check back later.
Summary
Allow public-repository contribution tools to work with the narrower public_repo OAuth scope while keeping repo as an accepted parent scope.
Why
Several tools currently require repo in MCP scope metadata even though GitHub permits their public-repository operations with public_repo. That makes public-only deployments request private-repository access unnecessarily.
Fixes #3136
What changed
MCP impact
Tool inputs and handlers are unchanged. The change affects OAuth scope filtering and advertised scope metadata only.
Prompts tested (tool changes only)
Security / limits
This is a least-privilege change: public-only OAuth deployments can use public_repo without gaining private-repository access. Existing repo tokens remain compatible through the existing scope hierarchy.
Tool renaming
Lint & tests
Docs