Gitlab MCP Skill

gitlab-mcp

GitLab MCP server providing 262 tools: 260 tools across 21 toolsets, plus execute_graphql and the always-available discover_tools meta-tool.

For exact generated parameter tables, see docs/tools/. Use this file for workflow shape and high-signal parameter hints.

Toolsets

Enable all: GITLAB_TOOLSETS=all. Use GITLAB_TOOLS to enable individual tools outside their toolset. discover_tools can list and activate opt-in categories for the current session. execute_graphql is not in a toolset; enable it explicitly with GITLAB_TOOLS=execute_graphql.

The per-toolset counts above sum to 262 because get_branch and list_branches are each listed in both merge_requests and branches; the unique tool count across all toolsets is 260.

Key Workflows

Code Review (see reference/code-review.md)

1. list_merge_request_changed_files - get file paths only (no diffs)
2. get_merge_request_file_diff - get diffs for 3-5 files per call (batch)
3. create_merge_request_thread or create_draft_note - leave review comments
4. bulk_publish_draft_notes - publish all drafts at once

MR Lifecycle (see reference/merge-requests.md)

create_merge_request -> review -> approve_merge_request -> merge_merge_request

Issue Management (see reference/issues.md)

create_issue -> create_issue_link -> create_issue_note -> update_issue

Use update_issue_description_patch for small edits to long issue descriptions instead of resending the full body.

Projects & Namespaces

• get_project, list_projects, update_project - inspect or change project settings
• list_project_members, list_group_members - search members by name or username within a project or group
• list_namespaces, get_namespace, verify_namespace - find target namespaces before creating projects/groups
• verify_namespace.parent_id scopes nested namespace checks
• create_repository.namespace_id creates a project under a group namespace

Branches & Commits

• create_branch, list_branches, get_branch, delete_branch
• Protected branches: list_protected_branches, get_protected_branch, protect_branch, unprotect_branch, update_default_branch
• Commits: list_commits, get_commit, get_commit_diff, get_file_blame, list_commit_statuses, create_commit_status

CI

• Lint configs: validate_ci_lint, validate_project_ci_lint
• Catalog: list_ci_catalog_resources, get_ci_catalog_resource
• Pipelines/jobs/deployments: see reference/pipelines.md

Work Items (see reference/work-items.md)

list_work_items -> get_work_item -> update_work_item -> create_work_item_note

Variables & Dependency Proxy

Enable with GITLAB_TOOLSETS=variables or GITLAB_TOOLSETS=dependency_proxy.

• Variables: project/group CRUD tools (list_*_variables, get_*_variable, create_*_variable, update_*_variable, delete_*_variable)
• Dependency proxy: get_dependency_proxy_settings, update_dependency_proxy_settings, list_dependency_proxy_blobs, purge_dependency_proxy_cache

Webhooks & Search

• Webhooks: see reference/webhooks.md
• Code search: see reference/search.md

Vulnerability Triage (see reference/vulnerability-triage.md)

Enable with GITLAB_TOOLSETS=vulnerabilities (requires GitLab Ultimate).

list_project_vulnerabilities -> get_vulnerability -> dismiss_vulnerability or confirm_vulnerability

File Operations

• Read: get_file_contents, get_repository_tree
• Write: create_or_update_file (single file), push_files (multiple files in one commit)

Parameter Hints

• project_id: numeric ID or URL-encoded path (group%2Fsubgroup%2Fproject)
• namespace_id: numeric namespace ID for create_repository; use list_namespaces/verify_namespace first
• parent_id: scope subgroup creation or verify_namespace for nested groups
• MR lookup: provide mergeRequestIid OR branchName (not both)
• list_issues: default scope = created by current user. Use scope: "all" for all issues
• list_merge_requests: without project_id returns user's MRs across all projects
• CI catalog resource lookup: provide exactly one of id or full_path
• emoji reactions: merge request, issue, and work item reaction tools use GitLab emoji names like thumbsup, rocket, or eyes
• work items: status and custom fields require GitLab Premium/Ultimate features
• execute_graphql: escape double quotes in query strings

Destructive Tools (require caution)

delete_branch, delete_deployment, approve_deployment, delete_draft_note, delete_environment, erase_pipeline_job, delete_group_milestone, delete_group_variable, delete_group_wiki_page, delete_issue, delete_issue_emoji_reaction, delete_issue_link, delete_issue_note_emoji_reaction, delete_label, delete_merge_request_discussion_note, delete_merge_request_emoji_reaction, delete_merge_request_note, delete_merge_request_note_emoji_reaction, delete_milestone, delete_pipeline, delete_pipeline_schedule, delete_pipeline_schedule_variable, delete_pipeline_trigger, delete_project_variable, delete_release, delete_review_app_environments, delete_tag, delete_webhook, delete_wiki_page, delete_work_item_emoji_reaction, delete_work_item_note_emoji_reaction, merge_merge_request, protect_branch, purge_dependency_proxy_cache, push_files, unprotect_branch, update_default_branch

Advanced

• Dynamic discovery: discover_tools lists and activates opt-in toolsets at runtime
• GraphQL: execute_graphql for queries not covered by REST tools
• Tool docs: docs/tools/ is generated from tools/registry.ts; prefer it for exact schemas
• Remote MCP OAuth: when GITLAB_MCP_OAUTH=true, POST /register (DCR) is rate-limited per client IP (default 20/hour via MCP SDK; tune with OAUTH_REGISTER_RATE_LIMIT_PER_HOUR). Separate from MAX_REQUESTS_PER_MINUTE and GitLab API quotas — see environment-variables.md
• Zoekt search: search_code, search_project_code, search_group_code (requires advanced search enabled)
• Work Items: GraphQL-based alternative to issues (Premium/Ultimate features)