How to install gitlab-cli on Windows?

Install Node.js first, then use npm install git-lab-cli -g in the command prompt. Ensure you have administrative privileges if required for global installations.

Can gitlab-cli handle multiple assignees for a merge request?

No, the README shows only a single assignee option (-a), so for multiple assignees, you'd need to use the GitLab web interface or modify the MR after creation.

What's the difference between gitlab-cli and GitLab's official CLI (glab)?

gitlab-cli is inspired by GitHub's hub and focuses on a few key commands like merge requests and browsing, while glab offers a more comprehensive feature set including issues and CI/CD. gitlab-cli is simpler for basic tasks but less feature-rich.

How to configure gitlab-cli for a self-hosted GitLab instance?

Set the gitlab.url in git config (e.g., git config --add gitlab.url "https://your-instance.com") or as an environment variable (GITLAB_URL), as specified in the configurations section.

How to automate merge request creation with gitlab-cli in a script?

Use the lab merge-request command with options like -b, -t, -m in a shell script, and set GITLAB_TOKEN as an environment variable for authentication to avoid interactive prompts.

Does gitlab-cli support GitLab CI/CD pipelines?

No, gitlab-cli does not include commands for CI/CD; it's designed primarily for repository operations such as merge requests and browsing, so you'll need other tools for pipeline management.

gitlab-cli

MITJavaScript2.0.12

A command-line utility for creating GitLab merge requests and performing common GitLab operations directly from the terminal.

GitHub

What is gitlab-cli?

gitlab-cli is a command-line utility that enables developers to create GitLab merge requests and perform other GitLab operations directly from the terminal. It simplifies GitLab workflows by providing intuitive commands for tasks like creating merge requests, comparing branches, and browsing repositories without needing to use the web interface. The tool is inspired by GitHub's hub and is designed to boost productivity for developers working with GitLab.

Target Audience

Developers and teams using GitLab for version control who want to streamline their workflow by performing common GitLab operations from the command line. It's particularly useful for those who prefer terminal-based workflows and want to reduce context switching.

Value Proposition

gitlab-cli offers a simple, terminal-first approach to GitLab operations, reducing the need to switch to the web interface for common tasks. Its intuitive commands and flexible configuration options make it a lightweight alternative to manual web interactions, saving time and improving developer efficiency.

Overview

Create a merge request from command line in gitlab

Use Cases

Best For

Creating GitLab merge requests quickly from the terminal

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Comparing branches without opening the GitLab web interface

Automating merge request creation in scripts or CI/CD pipelines

Working with GitLab forks and cross-repository merge requests

Assigning labels and assignees during merge request creation

Browsing GitLab repositories directly from the command line

Not Ideal For

Teams needing comprehensive GitLab management beyond merge requests, such as issue tracking or CI/CD pipeline control
Environments where Node.js is not installed or where system administrators restrict npm global installations
Projects relying heavily on visual code review tools, as gitlab-cli lacks integrated diff viewing or comment threading
Users who prefer lightweight, binary CLI tools without JavaScript runtime dependencies

Pros & Cons

Pros

Effortless Merge Request Creation

Allows creating merge requests with a single command, supporting optional parameters like base/target branches, assignees, and labels, as detailed in the options list for merge-request.

Smart Interactive Editing

Opens an in-place editor pre-filled with the latest commit message for title and description input if not provided via options, streamlining the drafting process without context switching.

Seamless Fork Support

Automatically handles merge requests between forks when base and target branches are on different remotes, simplifying cross-repository workflows as mentioned in the features.

Flexible Configuration Options

Captures configurations automatically on first run or allows manual setup via git config or environment variables, providing adaptability for different projects and users.

Cons

Limited Command Set

Only supports four commands (browse, compare, merge-request, merge-requests), lacking features for managing GitLab issues, pipelines, or other advanced operations.

Node.js Dependency

Requires npm for installation and the Node.js runtime, which can be a barrier in minimal or restricted environments where native tools are preferred.

Basic Documentation

The README is concise but lacks detailed examples, troubleshooting guides, or API references, which might hinder complex use cases or debugging.