--- stage: Verify group: Pipeline Authoring info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments type: reference --- # Pipeline Editor **(FREE)** > - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4540) in GitLab 13.8. > - [Feature flag removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/270059) in GitLab 13.10. The pipeline editor is the primary place to edit the GitLab CI/CD configuration in the `.gitlab-ci.yml` file in the root of your repository. To access the editor, go to **CI/CD > Editor**. From the pipeline editor page you can: - Select the branch to work from. - [Validate](#validate-ci-configuration) your configuration syntax while editing the file. - Do a deeper [lint](#lint-ci-configuration) of your configuration, that verifies it with any configuration added with the [`include`](../yaml/index.md#include) keyword. - See a [visualization](#visualize-ci-configuration) of the current configuration. - View an [expanded](#view-expanded-configuration) version of your configuration. - [Commit](#commit-changes-to-ci-configuration) the changes to a specific branch. In GitLab 13.9 and earlier, you must already have [a `.gitlab-ci.yml` file](../quick_start/index.md#create-a-gitlab-ciyml-file) on the default branch of your project to use the editor. ## Validate CI configuration As you edit your pipeline configuration, it is continually validated against the GitLab CI/CD pipeline schema. It checks the syntax of your CI YAML configuration, and also runs some basic logical validations. The result of this validation is shown at the top of the editor page. If your configuration is invalid, a tip is shown to help you fix the problem: ![Errors in a CI configuration validation](img/pipeline_editor_validate_v13_8.png) ## Lint CI configuration To test the validity of your GitLab CI/CD configuration before committing the changes, you can use the CI lint tool. To access it, go to **CI/CD > Editor** and select the **Lint** tab. This tool checks for syntax and logical errors but goes into more detail than the automatic [validation](#validate-ci-configuration) in the editor. The results are updated in real-time. Any changes you make to the configuration are reflected in the CI lint. It displays the same results as the existing [CI Lint tool](../lint.md). ![Linting errors in a CI configuration](img/pipeline_editor_lint_v13_8.png) ## Visualize CI configuration > - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/241722) in GitLab 13.5. > - [Moved to **CI/CD > Editor**](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/263141) in GitLab 13.7. > - [Feature flag removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/290117) in GitLab 13.12. To view a visualization of your `.gitlab-ci.yml` configuration, in your project, go to **CI/CD > Editor**, and then select the **Visualize** tab. The visualization shows all stages and jobs. Any [`needs`](../yaml/index.md#needs) relationships are displayed as lines connecting jobs together, showing the hierarchy of execution: ![CI configuration Visualization](img/ci_config_visualization_v13_7.png) Hover over a job to highlight its `needs` relationships: ![CI configuration visualization on hover](img/ci_config_visualization_hover_v13_7.png) If the configuration does not have any `needs` relationships, then no lines are drawn because each job depends only on the previous stage being completed successfully. ## View expanded configuration > - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/246801) in GitLab 13.9. > - [Feature flag removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/301103) in GitLab 13.12. To view the fully expanded CI/CD configuration as one combined file, go to the pipeline editor's **View merged YAML** tab. This tab displays an expanded configuration where: - Configuration imported with [`include`](../yaml/index.md#include) is copied into the view. - Jobs that use [`extends`](../yaml/index.md#extends) display with the [extended configuration merged into the job](../yaml/yaml_optimization.md#merge-details). - YAML anchors are [replaced with the linked configuration](../yaml/yaml_optimization.md#anchors). ## Commit changes to CI configuration The commit form appears at the bottom of each tab in the editor so you can commit your changes at any time. When you are satisfied with your changes, add a descriptive commit message and enter a branch. The branch field defaults to your project's default branch. If you enter a new branch name, the **Start a new merge request with these changes** checkbox appears. Select it to start a new merge request after you commit the changes. ![The commit form with a new branch](img/pipeline_editor_commit_v13_8.png) ## Troubleshooting ### `Configuration validation currently not available` message This message is due to a problem with the syntax validation in the pipeline editor. If GitLab is unable to communicate with the service that validates the syntax, the information in these sections may not display properly: - The syntax status on the **Edit** tab (valid or invalid). - The **Visualize** tab. - The **Lint** tab. - The **View merged YAML** tab. You can still work on your CI/CD configuration and commit the changes you made without any issues. As soon as the service becomes available again, the syntax validation should display immediately.