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doc/ci/README.md
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@ -43,28 +43,27 @@ For complete control, you can manually configure GitLab CI/CD.
With basic knowledge of how GitLab CI/CD works, the following documentation extends your knowledge
into more features:
| Topic | Description |
|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [Creating and using CI/CD pipelines](pipelines.md) | Understand, visualize, create, and use CI/CD pipelines. |
| [CI/CD Variables](variables/README.md) | How environment variables can be configured and made available in pipelines. |
| [Where variables can be used](variables/where_variables_can_be_used.md) | A deeper look into where and how CI/CD variables can be used. |
| [User](../user/permissions.md#gitlab-cicd-permissions) and [job](../user/permissions.md#job-permissions) permissions | Learn about the access levels a user can have for performing certain CI actions. |
| [Configuring GitLab Runners](runners/README.md) | Documentation for configuring [GitLab Runner](https://docs.gitlab.com/runner/). |
| [Introduction to environments and deployments](environments.md) | Learn how to separate your jobs into environments and use them for different purposes like testing, building and, deploying. |
| [Job artifacts](../user/project/pipelines/job_artifacts.md) | Learn about the output of jobs. |
| [Cache dependencies in GitLab CI/CD](caching/index.md) | Discover how to speed up pipelines using caching. |
| [Using Git submodules with GitLab CI](git_submodules.md) | How to run your CI jobs when using Git submodules. |
| [Pipelines for merge requests](merge_request_pipelines/index.md) | Create pipelines specifically for merge requests. |
| [Using SSH keys with GitLab CI/CD](ssh_keys/README.md) | Use SSH keys in your build environment. |
| [Triggering pipelines through the API](triggers/README.md) | Use the GitLab API to trigger a pipeline. |
| [Pipeline schedules](../user/project/pipelines/schedules.md) | Trigger pipelines on a schedule. |
| [Connecting GitLab with a Kubernetes cluster](../user/project/clusters/index.md) | Integrate one or more Kubernetes clusters to your project. |
| [ChatOps](chatops/README.md) | Trigger CI jobs from chat, with results sent back to the channel. |
| [Interactive web terminals](interactive_web_terminal/index.md) | Open an interactive web terminal to debug the running jobs. |
| [Review Apps](review_apps/index.md) | Configure GitLab CI/CD to preview code changes in a per-branch basis. |
| [Deploy Boards](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/deploy_boards.html) **[PREMIUM]** | Check the current health and status of each CI/CD environment running on Kubernetes. |
| [GitLab CI/CD for external repositories](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/ci/ci_cd_for_external_repos/index.html) **[PREMIUM]** | Get the benefits of GitLab CI/CD combined with repositories in GitHub and BitBucket Cloud. |
| [Protected environments](https://docs.gitlab.com/ce/ci/environments/protected_environments.html) **[PREMIUM]** | Ensure that only people with the right privileges can deploy to an environment. |
| Topic | Description |
|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [Creating and using CI/CD pipelines](pipelines.md) | Understand, visualize, create, and use CI/CD pipelines. |
| [CI/CD Variables](variables/README.md) | How environment variables can be configured and made available in pipelines. |
| [Where variables can be used](variables/where_variables_can_be_used.md) | A deeper look into where and how CI/CD variables can be used. |
| [User](../user/permissions.md#gitlab-cicd-permissions) and [job](../user/permissions.md#job-permissions) permissions | Learn about the access levels a user can have for performing certain CI actions. |
| [Configuring GitLab Runners](runners/README.md) | Documentation for configuring [GitLab Runner](https://docs.gitlab.com/runner/). |
| [Environments and deployments](environments.md) | Deploy the output of jobs into environments for reviewing, staging, and production. |
| [Job artifacts](../user/project/pipelines/job_artifacts.md) | Learn about the output of jobs. |
| [Cache dependencies in GitLab CI/CD](caching/index.md) | Discover how to speed up pipelines using caching. |
| [Using Git submodules with GitLab CI](git_submodules.md) | How to run your CI jobs when using Git submodules. |
| [Pipelines for merge requests](merge_request_pipelines/index.md) | Create pipelines specifically for merge requests. |
| [Using SSH keys with GitLab CI/CD](ssh_keys/README.md) | Use SSH keys in your build environment. |
| [Triggering pipelines through the API](triggers/README.md) | Use the GitLab API to trigger a pipeline. |
| [Pipeline schedules](../user/project/pipelines/schedules.md) | Trigger pipelines on a schedule. |
| [Connecting GitLab with a Kubernetes cluster](../user/project/clusters/index.md) | Integrate one or more Kubernetes clusters to your project. |
| [ChatOps](chatops/README.md) | Trigger CI jobs from chat, with results sent back to the channel. |
| [Interactive web terminals](interactive_web_terminal/index.md) | Open an interactive web terminal to debug the running jobs. |
| [Review Apps](review_apps/index.md) | Configure GitLab CI/CD to preview code changes in a per-branch basis. |
| [Deploy Boards](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/deploy_boards.html) **[PREMIUM]** | Check the current health and status of each CI/CD environment running on Kubernetes. |
| [GitLab CI/CD for external repositories](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/ci/ci_cd_for_external_repos/index.html) **[PREMIUM]** | Get the benefits of GitLab CI/CD combined with repositories in GitHub and BitBucket Cloud. |
### GitLab Pages

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doc/ci/environments.md
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@ -1,45 +1,65 @@
# Introduction to environments and deployments
# Environments and deployments
> Introduced in GitLab 8.9.
During the development of software, there can be many stages until it's ready
for public consumption. You sure want to first test your code and then deploy it
in a testing or staging environment before you release it to the public. That
way you can prevent bugs not only in your software, but in the deployment
process as well.
Environments allow control of the continuous deployment of your software,
all within GitLab.
GitLab CI is capable of not only testing or building your projects, but also
## Introduction
There are many stages required in the software development process before the software is ready
for public consumption.
For example:
1. Develop your code.
1. Test your code.
1. Deploy your code into a testing or staging environment before you release it to the public.
This helps prevent bugs not only in your software, but in the deployment process as well.
GitLab CI/CD is capable of not only testing or building your projects, but also
deploying them in your infrastructure, with the added benefit of giving you a
way to track your deployments. In other words, you can always know what is
currently being deployed or has been deployed on your servers.
## Overview
It's important to know that:
With environments, you can control the Continuous Deployment of your software
all within GitLab. All you need to do is define them in your project's
[`.gitlab-ci.yml`][yaml] as we will explore below. GitLab provides a full
history of your deployments per every environment.
- Environments are like tags for your CI jobs, describing where code gets deployed.
- Deployments are created when [jobs](yaml/README.md#introduction) deploy versions of code to environments,
so every environment can have one or more deployments.
Environments are like tags for your CI jobs, describing where code gets deployed.
Deployments are created when [jobs](yaml/README.md#introduction) deploy versions of code to environments,
so every environment can have one or more deployments. GitLab keeps track of
your deployments, so you always know what is currently being deployed on your
servers. If you have a deployment service such as [Kubernetes][kube]
GitLab:
- Provides a full history of your deployments per every environment.
- Keeps track of your deployments, so you always know what is currently being deployed on your
servers.
If you have a deployment service such as [Kubernetes](../user/project/clusters/index.md)
enabled for your project, you can use it to assist with your deployments, and
can even access a [web terminal](#web-terminals) for your environment from within GitLab!
To better understand how environments and deployments work, let's consider an
example. We assume that you have already created a project in GitLab and set up
a Runner. The example will cover the following:
## Configuring environments
- We are developing an application
- We want to run tests and build our app on all branches
- Our default branch is `master`
- We deploy the app only when a pipeline on `master` branch is run
Configuring environments involves:
Let's see how it all ties together.
1. Understanding how [pipelines](pipelines.md) work.
1. Defining environments in your project's [`.gitlab-ci.yml`](yaml/README.md) file.
## Defining environments
The rest of this section illustrates how to configure environments and deployments using an example.
It assumes you have already:
- Created a [project](../gitlab-basics/create-project.md) in GitLab.
- Set up [a Runner](runners/README.md).
In the scenario:
- We are developing an application.
- We want to run tests and build our app on all branches.
- Our default branch is `master`.
- We deploy the app only when a pipeline on `master` branch is run.
### Defining environments
Let's consider the following `.gitlab-ci.yml` example:
@ -70,123 +90,64 @@ deploy_staging:
We have defined 3 [stages](yaml/README.md#stages):
- test
- build
- deploy
- `test`
- `build`
- `deploy`
The jobs assigned to these stages will run in this order. If a job fails, then
the jobs that are assigned to the next stage won't run, rendering the pipeline
as failed. In our case, the `test` job will run first, then the `build` and
lastly the `deploy_staging`. With this, we ensure that first the tests pass,
then our app is able to be built successfully, and lastly we deploy to the
staging server.
as failed.
In our case:
- The `test` job will run first.
- Then the `build` job.
- Lastly the `deploy_staging` job.
With this configuration, we ensure that:
- The tests pass.
- Our app is able to be built successfully.
- Lastly we deploy to the staging server.
NOTE: **Note:**
The `environment` keyword is just a hint for GitLab that this job actually
deploys to this environment's `name`. It can also have a `url` which, as we
will later see, is exposed in various places within GitLab. Each time a job that
has an environment specified and succeeds, a deployment is recorded, remembering
deploys to this environment's `name`. It can also have a `url` that is
exposed in various places within GitLab. Each time a job that
has an environment specified succeeds, a deployment is recorded, storing
the Git SHA and environment name.
> **Note:**
In summary, with the above `.gitlab-ci.yml` we have achieved the following:
- All branches will run the `test` and `build` jobs.
- The `deploy_staging` job will run [only](yaml/README.md#onlyexcept-basic) on the `master`
branch, which means all merge requests that are created from branches don't
get deployed to the staging server.
- When a merge request is merged, all jobs will run and the `deploy_staging`
job will deploy our code to a staging server while the deployment
will be recorded in an environment named `staging`.
> Starting with GitLab 8.15, the environment name is exposed to the Runner in
> two forms: `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_NAME`, and `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_SLUG`. The first is
> the name given in `.gitlab-ci.yml` (with any variables expanded), while the
> second is a "cleaned-up" version of the name, suitable for use in URLs, DNS,
> etc.
>
> **Note:**
> Starting with GitLab 9.3, the environment URL is exposed to the Runner via
> `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_URL`. The URL would be expanded from `.gitlab-ci.yml`, or if
> the URL was not defined there, the external URL from the environment would be
> used.
To sum up, with the above `.gitlab-ci.yml` we have achieved that:
### Configuring manual deployments
- All branches will run the `test` and `build` jobs.
- The `deploy_staging` job will run [only](yaml/README.md#onlyexcept-basic) on the `master`
branch which means all merge requests that are created from branches don't
get to deploy to the staging server
- When a merge request is merged, all jobs will run and the `deploy_staging`
in particular will deploy our code to a staging server while the deployment
will be recorded in an environment named `staging`.
Converting automatically executed job into jobs requiring to a manual action involves
adding `when: manual` to the job's configuration.
Let's now see how that information is exposed within GitLab.
To expand on the [previous example](#defining-environments), the following includes
another job that deploys our app to a production server and is
tracked by a `production` environment.
## Viewing the current status of an environment
The environment list under your project's **Operations > Environments**, is
where you can find information of the last deployment status of an environment.
Here's how the Environments page looks so far.
![Environment view](img/environments_available.png)
There's a bunch of information there, specifically you can see:
- The environment's name with a link to its deployments
- The last deployment ID number and who performed it
- The job ID of the last deployment with its respective job name
- The commit information of the last deployment such as who committed, to what
branch and the Git SHA of the commit
- The exact time the last deployment was performed
- A button that takes you to the URL that you have defined under the
`environment` keyword in `.gitlab-ci.yml`
- A button that re-deploys the latest deployment, meaning it runs the job
defined by the environment name for that specific commit
> **Notes:**
>
> - While you can create environments manually in the web interface, we recommend
> that you define your environments in `.gitlab-ci.yml` first. They will
> be automatically created for you after the first deploy.
> - The environments page can only be viewed by Reporters and above. For more
> information on the permissions, see the [permissions documentation][permissions].
> - Only deploys that happen after your `.gitlab-ci.yml` is properly configured
> will show up in the "Environment" and "Last deployment" lists.
The information shown in the Environments page is limited to the latest
deployments, but as you may have guessed an environment can have multiple
deployments.
## Viewing the deployment history of an environment
GitLab keeps track of your deployments, so you always know what is currently
being deployed on your servers. That way you can have the full history of your
deployments per every environment right in your browser. Clicking on an
environment will show the history of its deployments. Assuming you have deployed
multiple times already, here's how a specific environment's page looks like.
![Deployments](img/deployments_view.png)
We can see the same information as when in the Environments page, but this time
all deployments are shown. As you may have noticed, apart from the **Re-deploy**
button there are now **Rollback** buttons for each deployment. Let's see how
that works.
## Rolling back changes
You can't control everything, so sometimes things go wrong. When that unfortunate
time comes GitLab has you covered. Simply by clicking the **Rollback** button
that can be found in the deployments page
(**Operations > Environments > `environment name`**) you can relaunch the
job with the commit associated with it.
>**Note:**
Bear in mind that your mileage will vary and it's entirely up to how you define
the deployment process in the job's `script` whether the rollback succeeds or not.
GitLab CI is just following orders.
Thankfully that was the staging server that we had to rollback, and since we
learn from our mistakes, we decided to not make the same again when we deploy
to the production server. Enter manual actions for deployments.
## Manually deploying to environments
Turning a job from running automatically to a manual action is as simple as
adding `when: manual` to it. To expand on our previous example, let's add
another job that this time deploys our app to a production server and is
tracked by a `production` environment. The `.gitlab-ci.yml` looks like this
so far:
The `.gitlab-ci.yml` file for this is as follows:
```yaml
stages:
@ -224,41 +185,62 @@ deploy_prod:
- master
```
The `when: manual` action exposes a play button in GitLab's UI and the
`deploy_prod` job will only be triggered if and when we click that play button.
You can find it in the pipeline, job, environment, and deployment views.
The `when: manual` action:
| Pipelines | Single pipeline | Environments | Deployments | jobs |
| --------- | ----------------| ------------ | ----------- | -------|
| ![Pipelines manual action](img/environments_manual_action_pipelines.png) | ![Pipelines manual action](img/environments_manual_action_single_pipeline.png) | ![Environments manual action](img/environments_manual_action_environments.png) | ![Deployments manual action](img/environments_manual_action_deployments.png) | ![Builds manual action](img/environments_manual_action_jobs.png) |
- Exposes a "play" button in GitLab's UI.
- Means the `deploy_prod` job will only be triggered when the "play" button is clicked.
Clicking on the play button in either of these places will trigger the
`deploy_prod` job, and the deployment will be recorded under a new
You can find the "play" button in the pipelines, environments, deployments, and jobs views.
| View | Screenshot |
|:----------------|:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Pipelines | ![Pipelines manual action](img/environments_manual_action_pipelines.png) |
| Single pipeline | ![Pipelines manual action](img/environments_manual_action_single_pipeline.png) |
| Environments | ![Environments manual action](img/environments_manual_action_environments.png) |
| Deployments | ![Deployments manual action](img/environments_manual_action_deployments.png) |
| Jobs | ![Builds manual action](img/environments_manual_action_jobs.png) |
Clicking on the play button in any view will trigger the `deploy_prod` job, and the deployment will be recorded under a new
environment named `production`.
>**Note:**
Remember that if your environment's name is `production` (all lowercase), then
it will get recorded in [Cycle Analytics](../user/project/cycle_analytics.md).
Double the benefit!
## Dynamic environments
As the name suggests, it is possible to create environments on the fly by just
declaring their names dynamically in `.gitlab-ci.yml`. Dynamic environments is
the basis of [Review apps](review_apps/index.md).
NOTE: **Note:**
The `name` and `url` parameters can use most of the CI/CD variables,
including [predefined](variables/README.md#predefined-environment-variables),
[project/group ones](variables/README.md#variables) and
[`.gitlab-ci.yml` variables](yaml/README.md#variables). You however cannot use variables
defined under `script` or on the Runner's side. There are also other variables that
are unsupported in the context of `environment:name`. You can read more about
[where variables can be used](variables/where_variables_can_be_used.md).
If your environment's name is `production` (all lowercase),
it will get recorded in [Cycle Analytics](../user/project/cycle_analytics.md).
GitLab Runner exposes various [environment variables][variables] when a job runs,
and as such, you can use them as environment names. Let's add another job in
our example which will deploy to all branches except `master`:
### Configuring dynamic environments
Other environments are good for deploying to stable environments like staging or production.
However, what about environments for branches other than `master`? Dynamic environments can be used to achieve these.
Dynamic environments make it possible to create environments on the fly by
declaring their names dynamically in `.gitlab-ci.yml`.
Dynamic environments form the basis of [Review apps](review_apps/index.md).
#### Allowed variables
The `name` and `url` parameters for dynamic environments can use most available CI/CD variables,
including:
- [Predefined environment variables](variables/README.md#predefined-environment-variables)
- [Project and group variables](variables/README.md#variables)
- [`.gitlab-ci.yml` variables](yaml/README.md#variables)
However, you cannot use variables defined:
- Under `script`.
- On the Runner's side.
There are also other variables that are unsupported in the context of `environment:name`.
For more information, see [Where variables can be used](variables/where_variables_can_be_used.md).
#### Example configuration
GitLab Runner exposes various [environment variables](variables/README.md) when a job runs and so
you can use them as environment names.
In the following example, a job will deploy to all branches except `master`:
```yaml
deploy_review:
@ -274,39 +256,49 @@ deploy_review:
- master
```
Let's break it down in pieces. The job's name is `deploy_review` and it runs
on the `deploy` stage. The `script` at this point is fictional, you'd have to
use your own based on your deployment. Then, we set the `environment` with the
`environment:name` being `review/$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME`. Now that's an interesting
one. Since the [environment name][env-name] can contain slashes (`/`), we can
use this pattern to distinguish between dynamic environments and the regular
ones.
In this example:
So, the first part is `review`, followed by a `/` and then `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME`
which takes the value of the branch name. Since `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` itself may
also contain `/`, or other characters that would be invalid in a domain name or
URL, we use `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_SLUG` in the `environment:url` so that the
environment can get a specific and distinct URL for each branch. In this case,
given a `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` of `100-Do-The-Thing`, the URL will be something
like `https://100-do-the-4f99a2.example.com`. Again, the way you set up
the web server to serve these requests is based on your setup.
- The job's name is `deploy_review` and it runs on the `deploy` stage.
- We set the `environment` with the `environment:name` as `review/$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME`.
Since the [environment name](yaml/README.md#environmentname) can contain slashes (`/`), we can
use this pattern to distinguish between dynamic environments and the regular ones.
- We tell the job to run [`only`](yaml/README.md#onlyexcept-basic) on branches [`except`](yaml/README.md#onlyexcept-basic) `master`.
You could also use `$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG` in `environment:url`, e.g.:
`https://$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG.example.com`. We use `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_SLUG`
here because it is guaranteed to be unique, but if you're using a workflow like
[GitLab Flow][gitlab-flow], collisions are very unlikely, and you may prefer
environment names to be more closely based on the branch name - the example
above would give you an URL like `https://100-do-the-thing.example.com`
For the value of:
Last but not least, we tell the job to run [`only`](yaml/README.md#onlyexcept-basic) on branches
[`except`](yaml/README.md#onlyexcept-basic) master.
- `environment:name`, the first part is `review`, followed by a `/` and then `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME`,
which takes the value of the branch name.
- `environment:url`, since `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` itself may also contain `/`, or other characters that
would be invalid in a domain name or URL, we use `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_SLUG` so that the environment can get a specific and distinct URL for each branch.
>**Note:**
For example, given a `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` of `100-Do-The-Thing`, the URL will be something
like `https://100-do-the-4f99a2.example.com`. Again, the way you set up
the web server to serve these requests is based on your setup.
You could also use `$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG` in `environment:url`. For example, `https://$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG.example.com`.
We have used `$CI_ENVIRONMENT_SLUG` here because it is guaranteed to be unique. If you're using a workflow like
[GitLab Flow](../workflow/gitlab_flow.md), collisions are unlikely and you may prefer environment names to be more closely based on the branch name. The example
above would give you an URL like `https://100-do-the-thing.example.com`.
NOTE: **Note:**
You are not bound to use the same prefix or only slashes in the dynamic
environments' names (`/`), but as we will see later, this will enable the
[grouping similar environments](#grouping-similar-environments) feature.
environments' names (`/`). However, this will enable the [grouping similar environments](#grouping-similar-environments) feature.
The whole `.gitlab-ci.yml` looks like this so far:
### Complete example
The configuration in this section provides a full development workflow where your app is:
- Tested.
- Built.
- Deployed as a Review App.
- Deployed to a staging server once the merge request is merged.
- Finally, manually deployed to the production server.
The following combines the previous configuration examples, including:
- Defining [simple environments](#defining-environments) for testing, building, and deployment to staging.
- Adding [manual actions](#configuring-manual-deployments) for deployment to production.
- Creating [dynamic environments](#configuring-dynamic-environments) for deployments for reviewing.
```yaml
stages:
@ -357,8 +349,9 @@ deploy_prod:
```
A more realistic example would include copying files to a location where a
webserver (NGINX) could then read and serve. The example below will copy the
`public` directory to `/srv/nginx/$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG/public`:
webserver (for example, NGINX) could then read and serve.
The example below will copy the `public` directory to `/srv/nginx/$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG/public`:
```yaml
review_app:
@ -370,76 +363,157 @@ review_app:
url: https://$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG.example.com
```
It is assumed that the user has already set up NGINX and GitLab Runner in the
server this job will run on.
This example requires that NGINX and GitLab Runner are set up on the server this job will run on.
>**Note:**
Be sure to check out the [limitations](#limitations) section for some edge
cases regarding naming of your branches and Review Apps.
NOTE: **Note:**
See the [limitations](#limitations) section for some edge cases regarding naming of your branches and Review Apps.
---
The complete example provides the following workflow for developers:
The development workflow would now be:
- Create a branch locally.
- Make changes and commit them
- Push the branch to GitLab.
- Create a merge request.
- Developer creates a branch locally
- Developer makes changes, commits and pushes the branch to GitLab
- Developer creates a merge request
Behind the scenes, GitLab runner will:
Behind the scenes:
- Pick up the changes and start running the jobs.
- Run the jobs sequentially as defined in `stages`:
- First, run the tests.
- If the tests succeed, build the app.
- If the build succeeds, the app will be is deployed to an environment with a name specific to the
branch.
- GitLab Runner picks up the changes and starts running the jobs
- The jobs run sequentially as defined in `stages`
- First, the tests pass
- Then, the job begins and successfully also passes
- Lastly, the app is deployed to an environment with a name specific to the
branch
So now, every branch:
So now, every branch gets its own environment and is deployed to its own place
with the added benefit of having a [history of deployments](#viewing-the-deployment-history-of-an-environment)
and also being able to [rollback changes](#rolling-back-changes) if needed.
Let's briefly see where URL that's defined in the environments is exposed.
- Gets its own environment.
- Is deployed to its own location, with the added benefit of:
- Having a [history of deployments](#viewing-deployment-history).
- Being able to [rollback changes](#retrying-and-rolling-back) if needed.
## Making use of the environment URL
For more information on using the URL, see [Using the environment URL](#using-the-environment-url).
### Protected environments
Environments can be "protected", restricting access to them.
For more information, see [Protected environments](environments/protected_environments.md).
## Working with environments
Having configured environments, GitLab provides many features to work with them. These are documented below.
### Viewing environments and deployments
A list of environments and deployment statuses is available on project's **Operations > Environments** page.
For example:
![Environment view](img/environments_available.png)
This example shows:
- The environment's name with a link to its deployments.
- The last deployment ID number and who performed it.
- The job ID of the last deployment with its respective job name.
- The commit information of the last deployment such as who committed, to what
branch, and the Git SHA of the commit.
- The exact time the last deployment was performed.
- A button that takes you to the URL that you have defined under the
`environment` keyword in `.gitlab-ci.yml`.
- A button that re-deploys the latest deployment, meaning it runs the job
defined by the environment name for that specific commit.
The information shown in the **Environments** page is limited to the latest
deployments, but an environment can have multiple deployments.
> **Notes:**
>
> - While you can create environments manually in the web interface, we recommend
> that you define your environments in `.gitlab-ci.yml` first. They will
> be automatically created for you after the first deploy.
> - The environments page can only be viewed by Reporters and above. For more
> information on the permissions, see the [permissions documentation](../user/permissions.md).
> - Only deploys that happen after your `.gitlab-ci.yml` is properly configured
> will show up in the **Environment** and **Last deployment** lists.
### Viewing deployment history
GitLab keeps track of your deployments, so you:
- Always know what is currently being deployed on your servers.
- Can have the full history of your deployments per every environment.
Clicking on an environment shows the history of its deployments. Here's an example **Environments** page
with multiple deployments:
![Deployments](img/deployments_view.png)
This view is similar to the **Environments** page, but all deployments are shown. Also in this view
is a **Rollback** button. For more information, see [Retrying and rolling back](#retrying-and-rolling-back).
### Retrying and rolling back
If there is a problem with a deployment, you can retry it or roll it back.
To retry or rollback a deployment:
1. Navigate to **Operations > Environments**.
1. Click on the environment.
1. On the page that lists the deployment history for the environment, click the:
- **Rollback** button against a previously successful deployment, to roll back to that deployment.
- **Retry** button against the last deployment, to retry that deployment.
NOTE: **Note:**
The defined deployment process in the job's `script` determines whether the rollback succeeds or not.
To avoid failed deployments being deployed in a production environment, [configure manual actions](#configing-manual-deployments) for production deployments.
### Using the environment URL
The [environment URL](yaml/README.md#environmenturl) is exposed in a few
places within GitLab.
| In a merge request widget as a link | In the Environments view as a button | In the Deployments view as a button |
| -------------------- | ------------ | ----------- |
| ![Environment URL in merge request](img/environments_mr_review_app.png) | ![Environment URL in environments](img/environments_available.png) | ![Environment URL in deployments](img/deployments_view.png) |
These are:
If a merge request is eventually merged to the default branch (in our case
`master`) and that branch also deploys to an environment (in our case `staging`
and/or `production`) you can see this information in the merge request itself.
- In a merge request widget as a link:
![Environment URL in merge request](img/environments_mr_review_app.png)
- In the Environments view as a button:
![Environment URL in environments](img/environments_available.png)
- In the Deployments view as a button:
![Environment URL in deployments](img/deployments_view.png)
You can see this information in a merge request itself if:
- The merge request is eventually merged to the default branch (usually `master`).
- That branch also deploys to an environment (for example, `staging` or `production`).
For example:
![Environment URLs in merge request](img/environments_link_url_mr.png)
### Go directly from source files to public pages on the environment
#### Going from source files to public pages
With GitLab's [Route Maps](review_apps/index.md#route-maps) you can go directly
from source files to public pages on the environment set for Review Apps.
From then on, you have a full development cycle, where your app is tested, built, deployed
as a Review App, deployed to a staging server once the merge request is merged,
and finally manually deployed to the production server. This is a simple workflow,
but when you have multiple developers working on a project
at the same time, each of them pushing to their own branches, dynamic environments are
created all the time. In which case, you probably want to do some clean up. Read
next how environments can be stopped.
### Stopping an environment
## Stopping an environment
Stopping an environment:
By stopping an environment, you are effectively terminating its recording of the
deployments that happen in it.
- Removes it from the list of environments on the [**Environments** page](#viewing-environments-and-deployments).
- Executes an [`on_stop` action](yaml/README.md#environmenton_stop), if defined.
A branch is associated with an environment when the CI pipeline that is created
for this branch, was recently deployed to this environment. You can think of
the CI pipeline as the glue between the branch and the environment:
`branch ➔ CI pipeline ➔ environment`.
This is often used when multiple developers are working on a project at the same time,
each of them pushing to their own branches, causing many dynamic environments to be created.
There is a special case where environments can be manually stopped. That can
happen if you provide another job for that matter. The syntax is a little
tricky since a job calls another job to do the job.
NOTE: **Note:**
Starting with GitLab 8.14, dynamic environments will be stopped automatically
when their associated branch is deleted.
#### Automatically stopping an environment
Environments can be stopped automatically using special configuration.
Consider the following example where the `deploy_review` calls the `stop_review`
to clean up and stop the environment:
@ -470,35 +544,31 @@ stop_review:
action: stop
```
Setting the [`GIT_STRATEGY`][git-strategy] to `none` is necessary on the
`stop_review` job so that the [GitLab Runner] won't try to checkout the code
Setting the [`GIT_STRATEGY`](yaml/README.md#git-strategy) to `none` is necessary on the
`stop_review` job so that the [GitLab Runner](https://docs.gitlab.com/runner/) won't try to check out the code
after the branch is deleted.
>**Note:**
Starting with GitLab 8.14, dynamic environments will be stopped automatically
when their associated branch is deleted.
When you have an environment that has a stop action defined (typically when
the environment describes a review app), GitLab will automatically trigger a
the environment describes a Review App), GitLab will automatically trigger a
stop action when the associated branch is deleted. The `stop_review` job must
be in the same `stage` as the `deploy_review` one in order for the environment
to automatically stop.
You can read more in the [`.gitlab-ci.yml` reference][onstop].
You can read more in the [`.gitlab-ci.yml` reference](yaml/README.md#environmenton_stop).
## Grouping similar environments
### Grouping similar environments
> [Introduced][ce-7015] in GitLab 8.14.
> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/merge_requests/7015) in GitLab 8.14.
As we've seen in the [dynamic environments](#dynamic-environments), you can
prepend their name with a word, then followed by a `/` and finally the branch
name which is automatically defined by the `CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` variable.
As documented in [Configuring dynamic environments](#configuring-dynamic-environments), you can
prepend environment name with a word, followed by a `/`, and finally the branch
name, which is automatically defined by the `CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` variable.
In short, environments that are named like `type/foo` are presented under a
group named `type`.
In our minimal example, we name the environments `review/$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME`
where `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` is the branch name:
In our [minimal example](#example-configuration), we named the environments `review/$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME`
where `$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME` is the branch name. Here is a snippet of the example:
```yaml
deploy_review:
@ -509,49 +579,47 @@ deploy_review:
name: review/$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME
```
In that case, if you visit the Environments page, and provided the branches
In this case, if you visit the **Environments** page and the branches
exist, you should see something like:
![Environment groups](img/environments_dynamic_groups.png)
## Monitoring environments
### Monitoring environments
> **Notes:**
>
> - For the monitoring dashboard to appear, you need to:
> - Have enabled the [Prometheus integration][prom]
> - Configured Prometheus to collect at least one [supported metric](../user/project/integrations/prometheus_library/index.md)
> - With GitLab 9.2, all deployments to an environment are shown directly on the
> monitoring dashboard
> - Enable the [Prometheus integration](../user/project/integrations/prometheus.md).
> - Configure Prometheus to collect at least one [supported metric](../user/project/integrations/prometheus_library/index.md)
> - With GitLab 9.2, all deployments to an environment are shown directly on the monitoring dashboard.
If you have enabled [Prometheus for monitoring system and response metrics](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/integrations/prometheus.html), you can monitor the performance behavior of your app running in each environment.
If you have enabled [Prometheus for monitoring system and response metrics](../user/project/integrations/prometheus.md), you can monitor the performance behavior of your app running in each environment.
Once configured, GitLab will attempt to retrieve [supported performance metrics](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/integrations/prometheus_library/index.html) for any
environment which has had a successful deployment. If monitoring data was
successfully retrieved, a Monitoring button will appear for each environment.
Once configured, GitLab will attempt to retrieve [supported performance metrics](../user/project/integrations/prometheus_library/index.md) for any
environment that has had a successful deployment. If monitoring data was
successfully retrieved, a **Monitoring** button will appear for each environment.
![Environment Detail with Metrics](img/deployments_view.png)
Clicking on the Monitoring button will display a new page, showing up to the last
Clicking on the **Monitoring** button will display a new page showing up to the last
8 hours of performance data. It may take a minute or two for data to appear
after initial deployment.
All deployments to an environment are shown directly on the monitoring dashboard
All deployments to an environment are shown directly on the monitoring dashboard,
which allows easy correlation between any changes in performance and a new
version of the app, all without leaving GitLab.
![Monitoring dashboard](img/environments_monitoring.png)
## Web terminals
### Web terminals
>**Note:**
Web terminals were added in GitLab 8.15 and are only available to project
maintainers and owners.
> Web terminals were added in GitLab 8.15 and are only available to project Maintainers and Owners.
If you deploy to your environments with the help of a deployment service (e.g.,
the [Kubernetes integration][kube]), GitLab can open
a terminal session to your environment! This is a very powerful feature that
allows you to debug issues without leaving the comfort of your web browser. To
If you deploy to your environments with the help of a deployment service (for example,
the [Kubernetes integration](../user/project/clusters/index.md)), GitLab can open
a terminal session to your environment.
This is a powerful feature that allows you to debug issues without leaving the comfort of your web browser. To
enable it, just follow the instructions given in the service integration
documentation.
@ -568,41 +636,71 @@ establish the terminal session:
![Terminal page](img/environments_terminal_page.png)
This works just like any other terminal - you'll be in the container created
by your deployment, so you can run shell commands and get responses in real
time, check the logs, try out configuration or code tweaks, etc. You can open
multiple terminals to the same environment - they each get their own shell
session - and even a multiplexer like `screen` or `tmux`!
This works just like any other terminal. You'll be in the container created
by your deployment so you can:
>**Note:**
- Run shell commands and get responses in real time.
- Check the logs.
- Try out configuration or code tweaks etc.
You can open multiple terminals to the same environment, they each get their own shell
session and even a multiplexer like `screen` or `tmux`.
NOTE: **Note:**
Container-based deployments often lack basic tools (like an editor), and may
be stopped or restarted at any time. If this happens, you will lose all your
changes! Treat this as a debugging tool, not a comprehensive online IDE.
changes. Treat this as a debugging tool, not a comprehensive online IDE.
---
### Check out deployments locally
While this is fine for deploying to some stable environments like staging or
production, what happens for branches? So far we haven't defined anything
regarding deployments for branches other than `master`. Dynamic environments
will help us achieve that.
## Checkout deployments locally
Since 8.13, a reference in the git repository is saved for each deployment, so
Since GitLab 8.13, a reference in the Git repository is saved for each deployment, so
knowing the state of your current environments is only a `git fetch` away.
In your git config, append the `[remote "<your-remote>"]` block with an extra
In your Git configuration, append the `[remote "<your-remote>"]` block with an extra
fetch line:
```
```text
fetch = +refs/environments/*:refs/remotes/origin/environments/*
```
### Scoping environments with specs **[PREMIUM]**
Some GitLab [Enterprise Edition](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) features can behave differently for each
environment. For example, you can [create a secret variable to be injected only into a production environment](variables/README.md#limiting-environment-scopes-of-variables-premium).
In most cases, these features use the _environment specs_ mechanism, which offers
an efficient way to implement scoping within each environment group.
Let's say there are four environments:
- `production`
- `staging`
- `review/feature-1`
- `review/feature-2`
Each environment can be matched with the following environment spec:
| Environment Spec | `production` | `staging` | `review/feature-1` | `review/feature-2` |
|:-----------------|:-------------|:----------|:-------------------|:-------------------|
| * | Matched | Matched | Matched | Matched |
| production | Matched | | | |
| staging | | Matched | | |
| review/* | | | Matched | Matched |
| review/feature-1 | | | Matched | |
As you can see, you can use specific matching for selecting a particular environment,
and also use wildcard matching (`*`) for selecting a particular environment group,
such as [Review apps](review_apps/index.md) (`review/*`).
NOTE: **Note:**
The most _specific_ spec takes precedence over the other wildcard matching.
In this case, `review/feature-1` spec takes precedence over `review/*` and `*` specs.
## Limitations
1. You are limited to use only the [CI predefined variables][variables] in the
`environment: name`. If you try to re-use variables defined inside `script`
as part of the environment name, it will not work.
You are limited to use only the [CI predefined variables](variables/README.md) in the
`environment: name`. If you try to re-use variables defined inside `script`
as part of the environment name, it will not work.
## Further reading
@ -611,18 +709,3 @@ Below are some links you may find interesting:
- [The `.gitlab-ci.yml` definition of environments](yaml/README.md#environment)
- [A blog post on Deployments & Environments](https://about.gitlab.com/2016/08/26/ci-deployment-and-environments/)
- [Review Apps - Use dynamic environments to deploy your code for every branch](review_apps/index.md)
[Pipelines]: pipelines.md
[yaml]: yaml/README.md
[environments]: #environments
[deployments]: #deployments
[permissions]: ../user/permissions.md
[variables]: variables/README.md
[env-name]: yaml/README.md#environmentname
[onstop]: yaml/README.md#environmenton_stop
[ce-7015]: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/merge_requests/7015
[gitlab-flow]: ../workflow/gitlab_flow.md
[gitlab runner]: https://docs.gitlab.com/runner/
[git-strategy]: yaml/README.md#git-strategy
[kube]: ../user/project/clusters/index.md
[prom]: ../user/project/integrations/prometheus.md

48
doc/ci/environments/protected_environments.md Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
# Protected Environments **[PREMIUM]**
> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ee/merge_requests/6303) in [GitLab Premium](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) 11.3.
## Overview
[Environments](../environments.md) can be used for different reasons:
- Some of them are just for testing.
- Others are for production.
Because deploy jobs can be raised by different users with different roles, it is important that
specific environments are "protected" to avoid unauthorized people affecting them.
By default, a protected environment does one thing: it ensures that only people
with the right privileges can deploy to it, thus keeping it safe.
NOTE: **Note**:
A GitLab admin is always allowed to use environments, even if they are protected.
To protect, update, or unprotect an environment, you need to have at least
[Maintainer permissions](../../user/permissions.md).
## Protecting environments
To protect an environment:
1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > CI/CD**.
1. Expand the **Protected Environments** section.
1. From the **Environment** dropdown menu, select the environment you want to protect.
1. In the **Allowed to Deploy** dropdown menu, select the role, users, or groups you want to have deploy access.
There are some considerations to have in mind:
- There are two roles to choose from:
- **Maintainers**: will allow access to all maintainers in the project.
- **Developers**: will allow access to all maintainers and all developers in the project.
- You can only select groups that are associated with the project.
- Only users that have at least Developer permission level will appear on
the **Allowed to Deploy** dropdown menu.
1. Click the **Protect** button.
The protected environment will now appear in the list of protected environments.
## Modifying and unprotecting environments
Maintainers can:
- Update existing protected environments at any time by changing the access on **Allowed to deploy** dropdown menu.
- Unprotect a protected environment by clicking the **Unprotect** button of the environment to unprotect.