> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://portkey-docs-feat-rerank-documentation.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gitlab MCP server

> The GitLab MCP server enables AI agents to interact with GitLab—the DevOps platform for software development, security, and operations.

Through MCP, assistants can programmatically access repositories, issues, merge requests, pipelines, and more without embedding long-lived tokens inside agents. This server is designed for conversational and automated engineering workflows within the GitLab ecosystem.

## **When should you use this server**

* Retrieve and create issues or merge requests without switching contexts
* Access pipeline status and job information for CI/CD workflows
* Query project metadata and repository details
* Automate GitLab operations with natural language commands and AI assistance

## **Key features**

* Project information and metadata retrieval
* Issue and merge request querying and creation
* Pipeline and CI/CD job inspection
* Repository browsing and file access
* Secure OAuth authentication with permission controls

## **Authentication**

Method\
OAuth 2.1 or personal access tokens (depending on instance setup)

Scopes\
Based on the required operations - read\_api, api, read\_repository

Notes\
Premium and Ultimate tier requirement; respects user permissions and roles

## **Endpoints**

* **GitLab.com (cloud):** Uses GitLab's cloud-hosted MCP server
* **Self-managed:** Supports on-premise GitLab instances with appropriate configuration

Premium and Ultimate tier only; additional configuration may be required for self-managed instances.

## **Setup & usage**

Configure the MCP server once with your GitLab instance, then connect via your MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, etc.).

## **Tools provided**

### **get\_mcp\_server\_version**

Returns the current version of the GitLab MCP server.

### **get\_issue**

Retrieves detailed information about a specific issue.

### **create\_issue**

Creates a new issue in a GitLab project.

### **get\_merge\_request**

Retrieves detailed information about a specific merge request.

### **get\_merge\_request\_commits**

Lists commits associated with a specific merge request.

### **get\_merge\_request\_changes**

Retrieves file changes (diffs) for a specific merge request.

### **get\_pipeline\_jobs**

Retrieves the list of jobs for a CI/CD pipeline.

### **get\_merge\_request\_pipelines\_service**

Retrieves the pipelines associated with a specific merge request.

## **Rate limits**

Follows GitLab API rate limits. Implement backoff and retry handling for rate-limited responses.

## **Notes**

* Available for **Premium** and **Ultimate** tier customers only
* Enterprise Cloud or self-managed instances may require different endpoints and configurations
* The MCP server respects your GitLab access permissions - actions available depend on your role
* This capability is under active development with additional tools expected over time

## **FAQ**

### What authentication method should I use?

OAuth 2.1 is recommended for most users as it provides better security and granular permissions. Personal access tokens are available for self-managed instances or specific use cases.

### What if I encounter "Insufficient permissions" errors?

Verify your GitLab role has the appropriate permissions for the requested action. Some operations require specific roles (Maintainer, Owner) or explicit permissions.

### Can I use this with my self-managed GitLab instance?

Yes, self-managed GitLab instances running Premium or Ultimate tier can configure the MCP server. Refer to the GitLab documentation for specific setup requirements.

### How do I troubleshoot connection issues?

* Confirm you're using a compatible MCP client
* Verify authentication credentials and scopes
* Check GitLab instance version and tier
* Review network access between your client and the GitLab instance
* Check GitLab logs for more detailed error information