Getting Started with GitLab: A Beginner’s Guide

by Devop · 01/09/2024

GitLab is a powerful tool that helps developers work together on code. This guide will help you get started with GitLab, even if you’re new to it. We’ll cover everything from the basics of the dashboard to advanced features like CI/CD pipelines and project collaboration.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

GitLab makes it easy for teams to work together on coding projects.
You can create new projects from scratch or use templates to get started quickly.
GitLab’s CI/CD features help automate testing and deployment.
The platform supports branching and merging, making collaboration smoother.
GitLab offers many resources, including documentation and community support, to help you learn.

Understanding the GitLab Dashboard

Navigating the Main Dashboard

When you first log into GitLab, you’ll be greeted by the main dashboard. This screen is designed to help you get accustomed to GitLab. The dashboard is your central hub for accessing all your projects and activities. You’ll see a list of your recent projects, making it easy to jump back into your work. The left sidebar is your primary navigation tool, giving you quick access to projects, groups, and more.

Customizing Your Dashboard View

GitLab allows you to customize your dashboard to fit your needs. You can rearrange widgets, add new ones, or remove those you don’t need. This flexibility ensures that you have all the information you need right at your fingertips. To customize your view, click on the settings icon and select the options that best suit your workflow.

Accessing Recent Projects

Your recent projects are always just a click away. The main dashboard displays a list of projects you’ve recently worked on, making it easy to pick up where you left off. This feature is especially useful for quickly accessing ongoing work without having to navigate through multiple menus.

The GitLab dashboard is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, helping you manage your projects efficiently from day one.

Creating Your First GitLab Project

Starting a New Project

Ready to dive into GitLab? Let’s start by creating your first project. Head over to your main dashboard and click on "Create a project". You’ll see several options:

Create a blank project: Start from scratch.
Create from template: Use built-in templates for platforms like Android, .Net Core, and iOS Swift.
Import project: Bring in code from another platform like GitHub, Bitbucket, or Google Code.
CI/CD for external repo: Connect external repositories to GitLab for CI/CD pipelines.

For now, let’s focus on creating a blank project. Give your project a name. Notice the project slug field auto-fills based on your project name, but you can change it if needed. The Project URL field will also auto-complete with your username. If you want to house this project under a group, switch it through the dropdown menu. You can also add a description to differentiate between projects.

Next, choose a visibility level for your project:

Public: Visible to everyone on the internet. Anyone with a GitLab account can view your project’s documentation, jobs, and issues. They can also create issues but can’t see or create merge requests.
Private: Only you and the people you invite can see the project.
Internal: Only authenticated users can see the project.

Using Project Templates

Templates can save you a lot of time. To create a project from a template, go to Menu > Projects > Create new project and select "Create from template". You’ll see a few tabs:

Built-in: Pre-made templates for common platforms.
Instance: Custom templates set up by your GitLab instance.
Group: Templates specific to your group.

Preview the templates and choose one that fits your needs. Click "Use template" and fill in the project details like name, slug, and description. You can also set the visibility level here.

Importing Existing Projects

Got code on another platform? No problem! GitLab makes it easy to import projects. Head to Menu > Projects > Create new project and select "Import project". You’ll see options to import from various platforms like GitHub, Bitbucket, and Google Code.

Follow the prompts to connect your account and select the repository you want to import. GitLab will handle the rest, bringing in your code, issues, and other project data.

Tip: Importing projects is a great way to transition to GitLab without losing any of your existing work.

And that’s it! You’ve now created your first GitLab project. Whether you started from scratch, used a template, or imported an existing project, you’re ready to start collaborating and coding. Happy coding!

Managing Repositories in GitLab

Creating and Cloning Repositories

Creating a repository in GitLab is simple. Just click on the "New Project" button, name your project, and choose its visibility level. Visibility levels can be public, internal, or private. Once created, you can clone the repository to your local machine using the provided URL. This allows you to work on your project locally and push changes back to GitLab.

Branching and Merging

Branches let you work on different features or fixes without affecting the main codebase. The default branch is usually called main or master. When your work on a branch is done, you can merge it back into the main branch. Merging combines the changes from one branch into another, ensuring that your main branch always has the latest updates.

Setting Up Repository Permissions

Permissions in GitLab are crucial for managing who can do what in your repository. You can set different levels of access, such as Guest, Reporter, Developer, Maintainer, and Owner. Each level has its own set of permissions, allowing you to control who can view, edit, or manage your repository. This ensures that your project remains secure and that only authorized users can make changes.

Exploring GitLab CI/CD

Setting Up Your First Pipeline

Getting started with GitLab CI/CD is straightforward. First, create a .gitlab-ci.yml file in your repository. This file defines the stages, jobs, and scripts that will run. Make sure your runners are available to execute the jobs. If you don’t have a runner, you can set one up easily.

Here’s a simple example of a .gitlab-ci.yml file:

stages:
  - build
  - test

build_job:
  stage: build
  script:
    - echo "Building..."

test_job:
  stage: test
  script:
    - echo "Testing..."

After committing this file, GitLab will automatically detect it and start the pipeline. You can view the status of your pipeline and jobs in the GitLab interface.

Using Runners

Runners are the agents that execute the jobs defined in your .gitlab-ci.yml file. You can use shared runners provided by GitLab or set up your own. To register a runner, navigate to your project’s settings and follow the instructions.

There are different types of runners you can use:

Shared Runners: Provided by GitLab and can be used by multiple projects.
Specific Runners: Dedicated to a specific project.
Group Runners: Shared among projects within a group.

Monitoring Pipeline Status

Monitoring your pipeline is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly. GitLab provides a detailed view of your pipeline’s status, including logs for each job. You can access this information from the pipeline’s page in your project.

If a job fails, GitLab will highlight the error, making it easier to troubleshoot. You can also set up notifications to alert you when a pipeline fails or succeeds.

Tip: Use the pipeline editor to make changes to your .gitlab-ci.yml file and validate the syntax before committing.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering GitLab CI/CD and streamlining your development workflow.

Collaborating with Your Team

Creating and Managing Issues

Issues are the heart of project management in GitLab. They help you track tasks, bugs, and feature requests. To create an issue, navigate to your project and click on ‘Issues’ > ‘New Issue’. Fill in the details and assign it to a team member. Clear issue tracking leads to improved decision-making and keeps everyone on the same page.

Using Merge Requests

Merge requests (MRs) are essential for code reviews and collaboration. When you have changes ready, create an MR to merge your branch into the main branch. Your team can review the code, leave comments, and approve the changes. This process ensures that only quality code gets into the main branch.

Setting Up Project Milestones

Milestones help you track progress towards significant goals. To set up a milestone, go to ‘Milestones’ in your project and click ‘New Milestone’. Name it, set a due date, and link relevant issues and MRs. Milestones provide a clear roadmap and help keep the team focused on important objectives.

Advanced GitLab Features

Using GitLab Pages

GitLab Pages lets you host static websites straight from your GitLab repository. It’s perfect for project documentation, portfolios, or any static content. Setting it up is a breeze. Just push your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to a specific branch, and GitLab does the rest. You can even use custom domains and SSL certificates for added professionalism.

Integrating with Third-Party Tools

GitLab integrates smoothly with many third-party tools. Whether it’s Slack for team communication, JIRA for issue tracking, or Jenkins for additional CI/CD capabilities, GitLab has you covered. Connecting these tools can streamline your workflow and improve productivity. Check out the integrations section in your project settings to get started.

Automating Workflows with Webhooks

Webhooks in GitLab allow you to automate tasks by sending HTTP POST requests to external services when certain events occur. This can be used for notifications, triggering CI/CD pipelines, or syncing with other tools. Setting up webhooks is simple: go to your project’s settings, add a webhook URL, and select the events you want to trigger it. This feature can save you a lot of manual work and keep your processes running smoothly.

Mastering these advanced features can significantly enhance your GitLab experience, making your projects more efficient and professional.

Getting Help and Resources

Accessing GitLab Documentation

When you’re stuck, the first place to look is the GitLab documentation. It’s packed with guides and tutorials to help you out. You can even edit the page if you find an error or want to add something new. If you have a suggestion, create an issue to propose your idea.

Joining the GitLab Community

The GitLab community is a great place to get support and share ideas. You can post questions on the GitLab forum or join discussions on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Being part of the community helps you stay updated and get quick answers.

Getting Professional Support

For more serious issues, you might need professional support. Depending on your GitLab subscription, you can request support directly from GitLab. This is especially useful for problems that need immediate attention. If you’re new, you can try GitLab for free for 30 days to see if it meets your needs.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The GitLab community and resources are there to support you.

If you’re looking for more information or need assistance, don’t hesitate to visit our website. We have a variety of resources and support options to help you out. Whether you need detailed guides or just a quick answer, we’ve got you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GitLab?

GitLab is a web-based Git repository manager that offers tools for CI/CD, issue tracking, and more. It’s designed to help teams collaborate on code and manage the software development lifecycle.

How do I create a new project in GitLab?

To create a new project, go to your GitLab dashboard and click on ‘Create a project.’ You can start a blank project, use a template, or import an existing project from another platform.

What is a GitLab repository?

A GitLab repository is a storage space for your project’s files, including the entire history of changes. You can clone, modify, and push changes to this repository.

How do I set up CI/CD in GitLab?

To set up CI/CD, you’ll need to create a pipeline file (.gitlab-ci.yml) in your repository. This file defines the stages and jobs for your pipeline. You can then monitor the pipeline’s status through the GitLab interface.

Can I collaborate with my team on GitLab?

Yes, GitLab allows team collaboration through features like merge requests, issues, and project milestones. You can also set permissions to control who can access and modify the project.

Where can I find GitLab support and resources?

You can access GitLab’s documentation, join the GitLab community, or get professional support directly from the GitLab website. These resources offer help on a wide range of topics.