How to Login to GitLab in Terminal: Easy Steps

Logging into GitLab through the terminal can seem tricky, but it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from setting up your terminal to making your first commit. Follow these easy steps to connect to your GitLab repositories securely and efficiently.

Key Takeaways

• Choosing the right terminal depends on your operating system: macOS, Windows, or Linux.
• Ensure Git is installed and configured with your credentials before proceeding.
• Generating and adding SSH keys is crucial for secure and password-less access to GitLab.
• Connecting your SSH key to GitLab involves adding it to your account settings.
• Testing your SSH connection helps confirm that everything is set up correctly.

Choosing the Right Terminal for GitLab

To execute Git commands on your computer, you need to open a terminal. This is also known as a command prompt, command shell, or command line. Here are some options based on your operating system.

Setting Up Git on Your System

To start working with GitLab from your terminal, you need to have Git set up on your system. This section will guide you through checking if Git is installed, installing it if necessary, and configuring it with your credentials.

Generating and Adding SSH Keys

Checking for Existing SSH Keys

Before you create a new SSH key, it’s smart to see if you already have one. Open your terminal and type:

ls -al ~/.ssh

Look for files named id_rsa.pub or id_ecdsa.pub. If you find one, you can skip to the next section. If not, let’s move on.

Generating a New SSH Key

To generate a new SSH key, use the following command. The -t flag specifies the type of key, and the -b flag indicates the key length:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"

When prompted, press Enter to accept the default file location. You’ll be asked for a passphrase. This is an optional extra layer of security. If you choose to set one, you’ll need to enter it whenever you use the key.

Adding Your SSH Key to ssh-agent

If you’ve created your key with a passphrase, you’ll need to load it into ssh-agent to avoid entering the passphrase every time. First, ensure ssh-agent is running:

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"

You should see a message like Agent pid 12345. Next, add your SSH key to ssh-agent:

ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Copying the SSH Key to Clipboard

To copy your SSH key to the clipboard, you’ll need xclip. If you don’t have it, install it using:

sudo apt-get install xclip

Now, copy the output of your public key to your clipboard:

xclip -sel clip < ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Tip: If you’re using macOS, you can use pbcopy instead of xclip to copy the SSH key to your clipboard.

With your SSH key copied, you’re ready to add it to your GitLab account.

Connecting Your SSH Key to GitLab

Logging into Your GitLab Account

First, log in to your GitLab account. This is the account where you want to add your SSH key. Make sure you have your username and password handy.

Navigating to SSH Key Settings

Once logged in, click on your avatar in the top right corner. From the dropdown menu, select Settings. In the left sidebar, find and click on SSH Keys. This will take you to the page where you can manage your SSH keys.

Adding Your SSH Key to GitLab

Now, you need to add your SSH key. In the “Key” field, paste the SSH key you copied earlier. Give your key a title that helps you remember where it’s used, like “My Laptop” or “Work Computer”. Finally, click the “Add key” button to save it.

Tip: Adding SSH keys to GitLab ensures a secure connection and saves you from entering your username and password repeatedly.

After adding the key, you should see it listed on the SSH Keys page. This means your key has been successfully added and you can now use it to interact with your GitLab repositories securely.

Testing Your SSH Connection

Running the SSH Test Command

To make sure your SSH key is set up correctly, you need to run a simple test. Open your terminal and type:

ssh -T git@gitlab.com

If everything is set up right, you should see a message like, "Welcome to GitLab, @your_username!" This means your SSH key is working perfectly.

Interpreting the Test Results

When you run the test command, you might see different messages. If you see the welcome message, you’re good to go. If not, you might get an error message. Common errors include "Permission denied" or "Connection refused." These errors mean there’s an issue with your SSH key or network settings.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you run into problems, don’t worry. Here are some steps to fix common issues:

1. Check your SSH key: Make sure your key is added to your GitLab account.
2. Restart your SSH agent: Sometimes, restarting the agent can solve connection issues. Use eval "$(ssh-agent -s)" and then ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa.
3. Verify your network settings: Ensure your firewall or network settings aren’t blocking the connection.

If you follow these steps and still face issues, you might need to regenerate your SSH key and add it to GitLab again.

By following these steps, you can ensure your SSH connection to GitLab is smooth and secure.

Cloning a Repository Using SSH

Finding the SSH URL for Your Repository

First, you need to get the SSH URL for the repository you want to clone. Go to your project’s landing page on GitLab. Click on the Clone button and select the SSH option. Copy the URL provided. This URL is what you’ll use to clone the repository.

Running the Clone Command

Open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to clone the repository. Run the following command, replacing the URL with the one you copied:

git clone git@gitlab.com:your_username/your_repository.git

Git will create a new folder with the repository’s name and download all the files there. This process might take a few moments, depending on the size of the repository.

Verifying the Cloned Repository

After the cloning process is complete, navigate into the new directory using the cd command:

cd your_repository

List the files in the directory to ensure everything has been cloned correctly. You should see all the files and folders from the repository. If everything looks good, you’re all set to start working on your project.

Cloning with SSH is a one-time authentication process, making it a convenient option for ongoing development work.

Remember, if you encounter any issues, double-check the SSH URL and ensure your SSH keys are correctly set up in your GitLab account.

Making Your First Commit and Push

Creating a New File

First, let’s create a new file in your project. Open your terminal and navigate to your project directory. Use the following command to create a new file:

notepad input.txt

Add some text to the file, like “Hello from GitLab”. Save the file and close Notepad. Now, the file is ready to be added to your repository.

Adding and Committing Changes

Next, we need to add the new file to the staging area. Use the following command:

git add input.txt

Now, commit the changes with a message describing what you did. For example:

git commit -m "Added input.txt with initial content"

When you’re ready, click commit or commit and push to push the changes to the remote repository immediately after the commit.

Pushing Changes to GitLab

Finally, push the committed changes to your GitLab repository. Use the following command:

git push origin main

You might be asked to enter your username and password. Once done, your changes will be uploaded to the remote repository.

Make sure to check your GitLab repository to confirm that the file has been successfully added.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GitLab?

GitLab is a web-based DevOps lifecycle tool that provides a Git repository manager providing wiki, issue-tracking, and CI/CD pipeline features, using an open-source license.

Why should I use SSH keys with GitLab?

Using SSH keys with GitLab allows for a secure and convenient way to authenticate without repeatedly entering your username and password.

How do I check if Git is installed on my computer?

Open your terminal and type `git –version`. If Git is installed, you will see the version number. If not, you’ll need to install it.

What should I do if my SSH key is not working?

First, ensure your SSH key is correctly added to your GitLab account. Then, check if the ssh-agent is running and that your key is loaded using `ssh-add`.

How can I clone a GitLab repository using SSH?

Find the SSH URL for the repository on GitLab, then open your terminal and type `git clone [SSH URL]`.

What is the command to add your email to Git configuration?

To add your email to Git, use the command `git config –global user.email “your_email@example.com”` in the terminal.