# Gitlab Label

> GitLab label operations. ALWAYS use this skill when user wants to: (1) list project labels, (2) create new labels, (3) manage label colors and descriptions.

- Skill: `grandcamel/gitlab-label` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add grandcamel/gitlab-label`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/grandcamel/gitlab-label/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: grandcamel (https://skillmd.com/u/grandcamel)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/grandcamel/gitlab-label

---


# Label Skill

Label management operations for GitLab using the `glab` CLI.

## Quick Reference

| Operation | Command | Risk |
|-----------|---------|:----:|
| List labels | `glab label list` | - |
| Create label | `glab label create <name>` | ⚠️ |

**Risk Legend**: - Safe | ⚠️ Caution | ⚠️⚠️ Warning | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Danger

## When to Use This Skill

**ALWAYS use when:**
- User wants to manage project labels
- User mentions "label", "tag" (for categorization), "category"
- User wants to organize issues or MRs

**NEVER use when:**
- User wants to apply labels to issues/MRs (use gitlab-issue or gitlab-mr)
- User wants to manage git tags (use git commands or gitlab-release)

## Available Commands

### List Labels

```bash
glab label list [options]
```

**Options:**
| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `-P, --per-page=<n>` | Results per page |
| `--all` | Get all labels |

**Examples:**
```bash
# List all project labels
glab label list

# List with more results
glab label list --per-page=100
```

### Create Label

```bash
glab label create <name> [options]
```

**Options:**
| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `-c, --color=<color>` | Label color (hex format, e.g., #ff0000) |
| `-d, --description=<desc>` | Label description |

**Examples:**
```bash
# Create label with default color
glab label create "needs-review"

# Create label with color
glab label create "bug" -c "#ff0000"

# Create label with color and description
glab label create "priority::high" \
  -c "#dc3545" \
  -d "High priority items requiring immediate attention"

# Create scoped label
glab label create "status::in-progress" \
  -c "#ffc107" \
  -d "Work in progress"
```

## Common Label Patterns

### Priority Labels

```bash
glab label create "priority::critical" -c "#dc3545" -d "Must fix immediately"
glab label create "priority::high" -c "#fd7e14" -d "Fix in current sprint"
glab label create "priority::medium" -c "#ffc107" -d "Fix soon"
glab label create "priority::low" -c "#28a745" -d "Nice to have"
```

### Type Labels

```bash
glab label create "type::bug" -c "#d73a4a" -d "Something isn't working"
glab label create "type::feature" -c "#0366d6" -d "New feature request"
glab label create "type::docs" -c "#0075ca" -d "Documentation"
glab label create "type::refactor" -c "#6f42c1" -d "Code refactoring"
```

### Status Labels

```bash
glab label create "status::backlog" -c "#6c757d" -d "In backlog"
glab label create "status::ready" -c "#17a2b8" -d "Ready to start"
glab label create "status::in-progress" -c "#ffc107" -d "Work in progress"
glab label create "status::review" -c "#007bff" -d "In review"
glab label create "status::done" -c "#28a745" -d "Completed"
```

### Workflow Labels

```bash
glab label create "needs-review" -c "#d876e3" -d "Needs code review"
glab label create "needs-design" -c "#fbca04" -d "Needs design input"
glab label create "blocked" -c "#b60205" -d "Blocked by external dependency"
glab label create "help-wanted" -c "#008672" -d "Looking for contributors"
```

## GitLab Scoped Labels

GitLab supports scoped labels using the `::` separator:

```
priority::high
status::in-progress
type::bug
```

Only one label per scope can be applied to an issue/MR, making them mutually exclusive.

## Common Workflows

### Workflow 1: Set Up New Project Labels

```bash
# Create priority labels
glab label create "priority::critical" -c "#dc3545"
glab label create "priority::high" -c "#fd7e14"
glab label create "priority::medium" -c "#ffc107"
glab label create "priority::low" -c "#28a745"

# Create type labels
glab label create "type::bug" -c "#d73a4a"
glab label create "type::feature" -c "#0366d6"
glab label create "type::docs" -c "#0075ca"
```

### Workflow 2: Apply Labels to Issues

```bash
# List available labels
glab label list

# Create issue with labels
glab issue create -t "Fix login bug" -l "type::bug,priority::high"

# Update issue labels
glab issue update 42 -l "status::in-progress"
```

## Color Reference

Common colors for labels:

| Color | Hex | Use For |
|-------|-----|---------|
| Red | `#dc3545` | Bugs, critical, blocked |
| Orange | `#fd7e14` | High priority, warning |
| Yellow | `#ffc107` | Medium priority, in-progress |
| Green | `#28a745` | Done, low priority, good first issue |
| Blue | `#007bff` | Features, info, review |
| Purple | `#6f42c1` | Refactor, enhancement |
| Gray | `#6c757d` | Backlog, wontfix |

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| Authentication failed | Invalid/expired token | Run `glab auth login` |
| Label already exists | Duplicate name | Use different name or update existing |
| Invalid color | Wrong format | Use hex format: #RRGGBB |
| Permission denied | Not maintainer | Need maintainer+ role |

## Related Documentation

- [Safeguards](../shared/docs/SAFEGUARDS.md)
- [Quick Reference](../shared/docs/QUICK_REFERENCE.md)