GitLab Overview
GitLab is a web-based DevOps lifecycle tool that provides a Git-repository manager providing wiki, issue-tracking and CI/CD pipeline features, using an open-source license, developed by GitLab Inc.
Key Features
- Complete DevOps Platform: Single application for the entire DevOps lifecycle
- Built-in CI/CD: Powerful pipelines with Auto DevOps
- Container Registry: Built-in Docker container registry
- Kubernetes Integration: Native Kubernetes integration
- Security Scanning: Built-in security and compliance tools
- Package Registry: Host packages for npm, Maven, etc.
- Self-Hosting Option: Host on your own infrastructure
Getting Started
Setup Steps:
- Create an account at gitlab.com or install self-managed version
- Set up SSH keys for secure authentication
- Create a new project or import an existing repository
- Configure CI/CD pipelines using .gitlab-ci.yml
- Set up project boards for issue tracking
- Invite team members to collaborate
Core Components:
GitLab CI/CD
Automated testing and deployment pipelines
GitLab Runner
Executes jobs defined in CI/CD pipelines
GitLab Pages
Host static websites directly from GitLab
GitLab Container Registry
Store Docker images within GitLab
Productivity Tips
Quick Actions
Use quick actions like /close or /label ~bug in issue descriptions.
Issue Boards
Create custom boards to visualize and manage workflow.
Merge Request Approvals
Set up required approvals for critical branches.
CI/CD Variables
Store sensitive data as CI/CD variables rather than in your repository.