--- comments: false description: 'Learn how to use and administer GitLab, the most scalable Git-based fully integrated platform for software development.' --- # GitLab Documentation Welcome to [GitLab](https://about.gitlab.com/) Documentation. Here you can access the complete documentation for GitLab, the single application for the [entire DevOps lifecycle](#the-entire-devops-lifecycle). ## Overview No matter how you use GitLab, we have documentation for you. | Essential Documentation | Essential Documentation | |:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [**User Documentation**](user/index.md)
Discover features and concepts for GitLab users. | [**Administrator documentation**](administration/index.md)
Everything GitLab self-managed administrators need to know. | | [**Contributing to GitLab**](#contributing-to-gitlab)
At GitLab, everyone can contribute! | [**New to Git and GitLab?**](#new-to-git-and-gitlab)
We have resources to get you started. | | [**Building an integration with GitLab?**](#building-an-integration-with-gitlab)
Consult our automation and integration documentation. | [**Coming to GitLab from another platform?**](#coming-to-gitlab-from-another-platform)
Consult our handy guides. | | [**Install GitLab**](https://about.gitlab.com/install/)
Installation options for different platforms. | [**Subscribe to GitLab**](#subscribe-to-gitlab)
Get access to more features. | | [**Update GitLab**](update/README.md)
Update your GitLab self-managed instance to the latest version. | [**GitLab Releases**](https://about.gitlab.com/releases/)
What's new in GitLab. | ## Popular Documentation Have a look at some of our most popular documentation resources: | Popular Topic | Description | |:----------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------| | [Configuring `.gitlab-ci.yml`](ci/yaml/README.md) | Complete syntax documentation for configuring your CI pipelines. | | [GitLab CI/CD examples](ci/examples/README.md) | Get up to speed quickly with common CI/CD scenarios. | | [GitLab Container Registry](user/project/container_registry.md) | Host containers within GitLab. | | [GitLab Pages](user/project/pages/index.md) | Host static websites for your projects with GitLab. | | [GitLab.com settings](user/gitlab_com/index.md) | Settings for [GitLab.com](#gitlabcom). | | [Kubernetes integration](user/project/clusters/index.md) | Use GitLab with Kubernetes. | | [SSH authentication](ssh/README.md) | Secure your network communications. | | [Using Docker images](ci/docker/using_docker_images.md) | Build and test your applications with Docker. | ## The entire DevOps Lifecycle GitLab is the first single application for software development, security, and operations that enables [Concurrent DevOps](https://about.gitlab.com/concurrent-devops/), making the software lifecycle faster and radically improving the speed of business. GitLab provides solutions for [all the stages of the DevOps lifecycle](https://about.gitlab.com/stages-devops-lifecycle/): ![DevOps Stages](img/devops-stages.png) GitLab is like a top-of-the-line kitchen for making software. As the executive chef, you decide what software you want serve. Using your recipe, GitLab handles all the prep work, cooking, and delivery, so you can turn around orders faster than ever. The following sections provide links to documentation for each DevOps stage: | DevOps Stage | Documentation for | |:------------------------|:------------------------------------------------------------| | [Manage](#manage) | Statistics and analytics features. | | [Plan](#plan) | Project planning and management features. | | [Create](#create) | Source code and data creation and management features. | | [Verify](#verify) | Testing, code quality, and continuous integration features. | | [Package](#package) | Docker container registry. | | [Release](#release) | Application release and delivery features. | | [Configure](#configure) | Application and infrastructure configuration tools. | | [Monitor](#monitor) | Application monitoring and metrics features. | | [Secure](#secure) | Security capability features. |
Back to Overview
### Manage GitLab provides statistics and insight into ways you can maximize the value of GitLab in your organization. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Manage** stage: | Manage Topics | Description | |:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Authentication and
Authorization](administration/auth/README.md) **[CORE ONLY]** | Supported authentication and authorization providers. | | [GitLab Cycle Analytics](user/project/cycle_analytics.md) | Measure the time it takes to go from an [idea to production](https://about.gitlab.com/2016/08/05/continuous-integration-delivery-and-deployment-with-gitlab/#from-idea-to-production-with-gitlab) for each project you have. | | [Instance Statistics](user/instance_statistics/index.md) | Discover statistics on how many GitLab features you use and user activity. |
Back to Overview
### Plan Whether you use Waterfall, Agile, or Conversational Development, GitLab streamlines your collaborative workflows. Visualize, prioritize, coordinate, and track your progress your way with GitLab’s flexible project management tools. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Plan** stage: | Plan Topics | Description | |:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Discussions](user/discussions/index.md) | Threads, comments, and resolvable discussions in issues, commits, and merge requests. | | [Due Dates](user/project/issues/due_dates.md) | Keep track of issue deadlines. | | [Quick Actions](user/project/quick_actions.md) | Shortcuts for common actions on issues or merge requests, replacing the need to click buttons or use dropdowns in GitLab's UI. | | [Issues](user/project/issues/index.md), including [confidential issues](user/project/issues/confidential_issues.md),
[issue and merge request templates](user/project/description_templates.md),
and [moving issues](user/project/issues/moving_issues.md) | Project issues, restricting access to issues, create templates for submitting new issues and merge requests, and moving issues between projects. | | [Labels](user/project/labels.md) | Categorize issues or merge requests with descriptive labels. | | [Milestones](user/project/milestones/index.md) | Set milestones for delivery of issues and merge requests, with optional due date. | | [Project Issue Board](user/project/issue_board.md) | Display issues on a Scrum or Kanban board. | | [Time Tracking](workflow/time_tracking.md) | Track time spent on issues and merge requests. | | [Todos](workflow/todos.md) | Keep track of work requiring attention with a chronological list displayed on a simple dashboard. |
Back to Overview
### Create Consolidate source code into a single [distributed version control system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_version_control) that’s easily managed and controlled without disrupting your workflow. GitLab’s Git repositories come complete with branching tools and access controls, providing a scalable, single source of truth for collaborating on projects and code. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Create** stage: #### Projects and Groups | Create Topics - Projects and Groups | Description | |:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Create](gitlab-basics/create-project.md) and [fork](gitlab-basics/fork-project.md) projects, and
[import and export
projects between instances](user/project/settings/import_export.md) | Create, duplicate, and move projects. | | [GitLab Pages](user/project/pages/index.md) | Build, test, and deploy your static website with GitLab Pages. | | [Groups](user/group/index.md) and [Subgroups](user/group/subgroups/index.md) | Organize your projects in groups. | | [Projects](user/project/index.md), including [project access](public_access/public_access.md)
and [settings](user/project/settings/index.md) | Host source code, and control your project's visibility and set configuration. | | [Search through GitLab](user/search/index.md) | Search for issues, merge requests, projects, groups, and todos. | | [Snippets](user/snippets.md) | Snippets allow you to create little bits of code. | | [Web IDE](user/project/web_ide/index.md) | Edit files within GitLab's user interface. | | [Wikis](user/project/wiki/index.md) | Enhance your repository documentation with built-in wikis. |
Back to Overview
#### Repositories | Create Topics - Repositories | Description | |:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Branches](user/project/repository/branches/index.md) and the [default branch](user/project/repository/branches/index.md#default-branch) | How to use branches in GitLab. | | [Commits](user/project/repository/index.md#commits) and [signing commits](user/project/repository/gpg_signed_commits/index.md) | Work with commits, and use GPG to sign your commits. | | [Create branches](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#create-a-new-branch), [create](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#create-a-file)
and [upload](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#upload-a-file) files, and [create directories](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#create-a-directory) | Create branches, create and upload files, and create directories within GitLab. | | [Delete merged branches](user/project/repository/branches/index.md#delete-merged-branches) | Bulk delete branches after their changes are merged. | | [File templates](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#template-dropdowns) | File templates for common files. | | [Files](user/project/repository/index.md#files) | Files management. | | [Jupyter Notebook files](user/project/repository/index.md#jupyter-notebook-files) | GitLab's support for `.ipynb` files. | | [Protected branches](user/project/protected_branches.md) | Use protected branches. | | [Repositories](user/project/repository/index.md) | Manage source code repositories in GitLab's user interface. | | [Start a merge request](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#tips) | Start merge request when committing via GitLab's user interface. |
Back to Overview
#### Merge Requests | Create Topics - Merge Requests | Description | |:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Checking out merge requests locally](user/project/merge_requests/index.md#checkout-merge-requests-locally) | Tips for working with merge requests locally. | | [Cherry-picking](user/project/merge_requests/cherry_pick_changes.md) | Use GitLab for cherry-picking changes. | | [Merge request discussion resolution](user/discussions/index.md#moving-a-single-discussion-to-a-new-issue) | Resolve discussions, move discussions in a merge request to an issue, and only allow merge requests to be merged if all discussions are resolved. | | [Merge requests](user/project/merge_requests/index.md) | Merge request management. | | [Work In Progress "WIP" merge requests](user/project/merge_requests/work_in_progress_merge_requests.md) | Prevent merges of work-in-progress merge requests. |
Back to Overview
#### Integration and Automation | Create Topics - Integration and Automation | Description | |:------------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [GitLab API](api/README.md) | Integrate GitLab via a simple and powerful API. | | [GitLab Integration](integration/README.md) | Integrate with multiple third-party services with GitLab to allow external issue trackers and external authentication. | | [GitLab Webhooks](user/project/integrations/webhooks.md) | Let GitLab notify you when new code has been pushed to your project. | | [Project Services](user/project/integrations/project_services.md) | Integrate a project with external services, such as CI and chat. | | [Trello Power-Up](integration/trello_power_up.md) | Integrate with GitLab's Trello Power-Up. |
Back to Overview
### Verify Spot errors sooner, improve security and shorten feedback cycles with built-in static code analysis, code testing, code quality, dependency checking, and Review Apps. Customize your approval workflow controls, automatically test the quality of your code, and spin up a staging environment for every code change. GitLab Continuous Integration is the most popular next generation testing system that scales to run your tests faster. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Verify** stage: | Verify Topics | Description | |:---------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [GitLab CI/CD](ci/README.md) | Explore the features and capabilities of Continuous Integration with GitLab. | | [JUnit test reports](ci/junit_test_reports.md) | Display JUnit test reports on merge requests. | | [Pipeline Graphs](ci/pipelines.md#visualizing-pipelines) | Visualize builds. | | [Review Apps](ci/review_apps/index.md) | Preview changes to your application right from a merge request. |
Back to Overview
### Package GitLab Container Registry gives you the enhanced security and access controls of custom Docker images without 3rd party add-ons. Easily upload and download images from GitLab CI/CD with full Git repository management integration. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Package** stage: | Package Topics | Description | |:----------------------------------------------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------------| | [GitLab Container Registry](user/project/container_registry.md) | Learn how to use GitLab's built-in Container Registry. |
Back to Overview
### Release Spend less time configuring your tools, and more time creating. Whether you’re deploying to one server or thousands, build, test, and release your code confidently and securely with GitLab’s built-in Continuous Delivery and Deployment. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Release** stage: | Release Topics | Description | |:------------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Auto Deploy](topics/autodevops/index.md#auto-deploy) | Configure GitLab for the deployment of your application. | | [Environments and deployments](ci/environments.md) | With environments, you can control the continuous deployment of your software within GitLab. | | [GitLab CI/CD](ci/README.md) | Explore the features and capabilities of Continuous Deployment and Delivery with GitLab. | | [GitLab Pages](user/project/pages/index.md) | Build, test, and deploy a static site directly from GitLab. | | [Protected Runners](ci/runners/README.md#protected-runners) | Select Runners to only pick jobs for protected branches and tags. | | [Scheduled Pipelines](user/project/pipelines/schedules.md) | Execute pipelines on a schedule. |
Back to Overview
### Configure Automate your entire workflow from build to deploy and monitoring with GitLab Auto DevOps. Best practice templates get you started with minimal to zero configuration. Then customize everything from buildpacks to CI/CD. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Configure** stage: | Configure Topics | Description | |:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Auto DevOps](topics/autodevops/index.md) | Automatically employ a complete DevOps lifecycle. | | [Easy creation of Kubernetes
clusters on GKE](user/project/clusters/index.md#adding-and-creating-a-new-gke-cluster-via-gitlab) | Use Google Kubernetes Engine and GitLab. | | [Executable Runbooks](user/project/clusters/runbooks/index.md) | Documented procedures that explain how to carry out particular processes. | | [GitLab ChatOps](ci/chatops/README.md) | Interact with CI/CD jobs through chat services. | | [Installing Applications](user/project/clusters/index.md#installing-applications) | Deploy Helm, Ingress, and Prometheus on Kubernetes. | | [Mattermost slash commands](user/project/integrations/mattermost_slash_commands.md) | Enable and use slash commands from within Mattermost. | | [Protected variables](ci/variables/README.md#protected-environment-variables) | Restrict variables to protected branches and tags. | | [Serverless](user/project/clusters/serverless/index.md) | Run serverless workloads on Kubernetes. | | [Slack slash commands](user/project/integrations/slack_slash_commands.md) | Enable and use slash commands from within Slack. |
Back to Overview
### Monitor Ensure your applications are always responsive and available. GitLab collects and displays performance metrics for deployed applications so you can know in an instant how code changes impact your production environment. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Monitor** stage: | Monitor Topics | Description | |:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [GitLab Performance Monitoring](administration/monitoring/performance/index.md) **[CORE ONLY]** | Use InfluxDB and Grafana to monitor the performance of your GitLab instance (will be eventually replaced by Prometheus). | | [GitLab Prometheus](administration/monitoring/prometheus/index.md) **[CORE ONLY]** | Configure the bundled Prometheus to collect various metrics from your GitLab instance. | | [Health check](user/admin_area/monitoring/health_check.md) | GitLab provides liveness and readiness probes to indicate service health and reachability to required services. | | [Prometheus project integration](user/project/integrations/prometheus.md) | Configure the Prometheus integration per project and monitor your CI/CD environments. | | [Prometheus metrics](user/project/integrations/prometheus_library/index.md) | Let Prometheus collect metrics from various services, like Kubernetes, NGINX, NGINX ingress controller, HAProxy, and Amazon Cloud Watch. |
Back to Overview
### Secure GitLab can help you secure your applications from within your development lifecycle. The following documentation relates to the DevOps **Secure** stage: | Monitor Topics | Description | |:----------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Container Scanning example](ci/examples/container_scanning.md) | `.gitlab-ci.yml` example of using Clair and clair-scanner to scan docker images for known vulnerabilities. | NOTE: **Note:** Viewing [Container Scanning reports](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/merge_requests/container_scanning.html) within merge requests requires [GitLab Ultimate](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/). ## Subscribe to GitLab There are two ways to use GitLab: - [GitLab self-managed](#gitlab-self-managed): Install, administer, and maintain your own GitLab instance. - [GitLab.com](#gitlabcom): GitLab's SaaS offering. You don't need to install anything to use GitLab.com, you only need to [sign up](https://gitlab.com/users/sign_in) and start using GitLab straight away. The following sections outline tiers and features within GitLab self-managed and GitLab.com.
Back to Overview
### GitLab self-managed With GitLab self-managed, you deploy your own GitLab instance on-premises or on a cloud of your choice. GitLab self-managed is available for [free and with paid subscriptions](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/#self-managed) in the following tiers: | Tier | Includes | |:---------|:-----------------------------------------------| | Core | Core features. | | Starter | Core and Starter features. | | Premium | Core, Starter, and Premium features. | | Ultimate | Core, Starter, Premium, and Ultimate features. | The following resources are available for more information on GitLab self-managed: - [Feature comparison](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/self-managed/feature-comparison/), for information on what features are available at each tier. - [GitLab pricing page](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/#self-managed), for subscription information and a free trial. - Our [product marketing page](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/product-marketing/), for additional information including: - How [different tiers are licensed](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/product-marketing/#tiers). - The different [GitLab distributions](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/product-marketing/#distributions).
Back to Overview
### GitLab.com GitLab.com is hosted, managed, and administered by GitLab, Inc., with [free and paid subscriptions](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) for individuals and teams in the following tiers: | Tier | Includes same features available in | |:-------|:----------------------------------------------------| | Free | [Core](#gitlab-self-managed) self-managed tier. | | Bronze | [Starter](#gitlab-self-managed) self-managed tier. | | Silver | [Premium](#gitlab-self-managed) self-managed tier. | | Gold | [Ultimate](#gitlab-self-managed) self-managed tier. | GitLab.com subscriptions grant access to the same features available in GitLab self-managed, **except [administration](administration/index.md) tools and settings**. TIP: **Tip:** To support the open source community and encourage the development of open source projects, GitLab grants access to **Gold** features for all GitLab.com **public** projects, regardless of the subscription. The following resources are available for more information on GitLab.com: - [Feature comparison](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/gitlab-com/feature-comparison/), for information on what features are available at each tier. - [GitLab pricing page](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/), for subscription information and a free trial. - Our [product marketing page](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/product-marketing/), for additional information including: - How [different tiers are licensed](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/product-marketing/#tiers). - The different [GitLab distributions](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/product-marketing/#distributions).
Back to Overview
## New to Git and GitLab? Working with new systems can be daunting. We have the following documentation to rapidly uplift your GitLab knowledge: | Topic | Description | |:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------| | [GitLab basics guides](gitlab-basics/README.md) | Start working on the command line and with GitLab. | | [GitLab Workflow](workflow/README.md) and [overview](https://about.gitlab.com/2016/10/25/gitlab-workflow-an-overview/) | Enhance your workflow with the best of GitLab Workflow. | | [Get started with GitLab CI/CD](ci/quick_start/README.md) | Quickly implement GitLab CI/CD. | | [Auto DevOps](topics/autodevops/index.md) | Learn more about GitLab's Auto DevOps. | | [GitLab Markdown](user/markdown.md) | GitLab's advanced formatting system (GitLab Flavored Markdown) |
Back to Overview
### User account Learn more about GitLab account management: | Topic | Description | |:-----------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [User account](user/profile/index.md) | Manage your account. | | [Authentication](topics/authentication/index.md) | Account security with two-factor authentication, set up your ssh keys, and deploy keys for secure access to your projects. | | [Profile settings](user/profile/index.md#profile-settings) | Manage your profile settings, two factor authentication, and more. | | [User permissions](user/permissions.md) | Learn what each role in a project can do. |
Back to Overview
### Git and GitLab Learn more about using Git, and using Git with GitLab: | Topic | Description | |:----------------------------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Git](topics/git/index.md) | Getting started with Git, branching strategies, Git LFS, and advanced use. | | [Git cheatsheet](https://about.gitlab.com/images/press/git-cheat-sheet.pdf) | Download a PDF describing the most used Git operations. | | [GitLab Flow](workflow/gitlab_flow.md) | Explore the best of Git with the GitLab Flow strategy. |
Back to Overview
## Coming to GitLab from another platform If you are coming to GitLab from another platform, you'll find the following information useful: | Topic | Description | |:---------------------------------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [Importing to GitLab](user/project/import/index.md) | Import your projects from GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab.com, FogBugz, and SVN into GitLab. | | [Migrating from SVN](workflow/importing/migrating_from_svn.md) | Convert a SVN repository to Git and GitLab. |
Back to Overview
## Building an integration with GitLab There are many ways to integrate with GitLab, including: | Topic | Description | |:-----------------------------------------------------------|:------------------------------------------------| | [GitLab API](api/README.md) | Integrate GitLab via a simple and powerful API. | | [Integrations and automation](#integration-and-automation) | All GitLab integration and automation options. |
Back to Overview
## Contributing to GitLab GitLab Community Edition is [open source](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/) and GitLab Enterprise Edition is [open-core](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ee/). Learn how to contribute to GitLab with the following resources: | Topic | Description | |:------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------| | [Development](development/README.md) | How to contribute to GitLab development. | | [Legal](legal/README.md) | Contributor license agreements. | | [Writing documentation](development/documentation/index.md) | How to contribute to GitLab Docs. |
Back to Overview