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GitLens 17.5 introduces the GitKraken MCP for Git and integration enhanced AI chat workflows, expands integration support with Linear, and launches a new Student Plan for GitHub Student Developer Pack members.

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GitLens 17.5 bundles the GitKraken Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, bringing Git and repository intelligence directly to AI chat interfaces in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and other compatible IDEs.

The GitKraken MCP transforms how you interact with Git through AI by surfacing repository information, issue tracking data, and pull request details—the same rich context that GitLens has provided in UI form for years—now accessible through conversational AI.

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The MCP enables powerful use cases through AI chat:

**Issue and Branch Management**

- List issues: *"List all open Jira issues assigned to me"*

- GitKraken MCP fetches and displays issue details from your connected trackers

- Start work on an issue: *"Start work on Jira issue PROJ-123"*

- GitKraken MCP pulls issue details, stashes changes if needed, and creates a feature branch

**Pull Request Assistance**

- Create a pull request: *"Create a pull request for my current branch"*

- GitKraken MCP gathers branch diffs, generates a PR title and description, and opens the PR in your connected Git provider

**Debug and Understand History**

- Get detailed blame info: *"Who last modified the function `calculateTotal` in `utils.js` and why?"*

- GitKraken MCP retrieves precise blame data, including commit details and linked issues & PRs

See more examples and use cases at [help.gitkraken.com/mcp](https://help.gitkraken.com/mcp/mcp-example-workflows/).

The MCP works seamlessly in VS Code with built-in configuration, while other IDEs like Cursor, Windsurf, and Trae require manual setup. The MCP leverages GitKraken CLI's unified authentication system, so you authenticate once and gain access to all your connected Git providers (GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, Bitbucket) and issue trackers (Jira, GitHub Issues, Linear).

Configuration setup and documentation can be found at [help.gitkraken.com/mcp](https://help.gitkraken.com/mcp/mcp-getting-started/).

We're just scratching the surface of what's possible with the GitKraken MCP. Future releases will expand capabilities, integrations, and IDE support.

Teams using Linear for issue tracking can now connect to Linear and bring issue information directly into GitLens workflows.

- **Start work seamlessly**: Create branches or worktrees directly from Linear issues

- **Rich contextual information**: View Linear issue details in the Commit Graph, Home View, blame annotations, and Commit Details

This integration follows the same pattern as GitLens' other issue tracker connections, providing a unified experience whether you're using GitHub Issues, Jira, or Linear.

GitKraken now offers a Student Plan for members of the GitHub Student Developer Pack! This plan provides students with:

- **Private repository access**: Use paid GitLens features like the Commit Graph and Visual File History on private repos

- **AI token allocation**: Access to powerful AI features including commit composition, branch explanations, PR generation, and changelog creation

- **Includes the entire GitKraken Platform**: Including GitKraken Client, GitKraken CLI, GitKraken.dev and Browser Extension

Students can learn more and sign up at [gitkraken.com/github-student-developer-pack-bundle](https://www.gitkraken.com/github-student-developer-pack-bundle).

- Adds the GitKraken MCP for Git and integration enhanced AI chat workflows — [learn more](https://help.gitkraken.com/mcp/mcp-getting-started/)

- Leverage Git and your integrations (issues, PRs, etc) to provide context and perform actions in AI chat

- Adds rich Linear integration with autolinks, start work, Launchpad, and more ([#4543](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/issues/4543), [#4579](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/issues/4579))

- Adds support for the [GitKraken Student plan](https://www.gitkraken.com/github-student-developer-pack-bundle)

- Improves AI provider/model fallback handling for better reliability

- Fixes connection flow when multiple integrations need to be connected