github / github/copilot-cli

copilot-cli ignores grant_types_supported and attempts authorization_code flow for client_credentials-only MCP servers

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#3,982 2 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
area:authentication area:mcp
Dominant language
Shell
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Description

### Describe the bug

Hello. I am trying to set up an corporate MCP server in copilot. This MCP server is protected using an OAuth authorization server that advertises only client_credentials in `grant_types_supported`
Copilot-cli still attempts to initiate an interactive `authorization_code` flow instead.

Expected behavior:

copilot-cli should check [grant_types_supported] from the OAuth server metadata
If only client_credentials is listed, it should use that flow
It should NOT launch a browser for interactive auth

Actual behavior:

Launches a browser window for authorization code flow
This fails because the MCP server only permits client_credentials
Even when explicitly configured with "oauthGrantType": "client_credentials", oauthPublicClient": false, and "oauthClientId" in the config file as per https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/copilot-cli-reference/cli-command-reference#headless-oauth-client_credentials-grant, the browser still launches

### Affected version

_No response_

### Steps to reproduce the behavior

_No response_

### Expected behavior

_No response_

### Additional context

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start in the copilot-cli OAuth configuration and metadata-handling paths, focusing on grant_types_supported and the oauthGrantType, oauthPublicClient, and oauthClientId settings. Reproduce with an MCP server advertising only client_credentials, then verify that the CLI selects the supported flow and does not launch a browser.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
shell
Domain
authentication, cli
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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