By name: gitlab-mcp-skill description: Use this skill when working with the GitLab MCP server tools for merge requests, issues, repositories, pipelines, work items, webhooks, search, and related GitLab workflows.
gitlab-mcp
GitLab MCP server providing 173 tools: 171 tools across 16 toolsets, plus execute_graphql and the always-available discover_tools meta-tool.
Toolsets
| Toolset | Default | Enable with |
|---|---|---|
| merge_requests (41 tools) | yes | - |
| issues (23 tools) | yes | - |
| repositories (7 tools) | yes | - |
| branches (6 tools) | yes | - |
| projects (8 tools) | yes | - |
| labels (5 tools) | yes | - |
| ci (2 tools) | yes | - |
| users (5 tools) | yes | - |
| pipelines (19 tools) | no | USE_PIPELINE=true or GITLAB_TOOLSETS=pipelines |
| milestones (9 tools) | no | USE_MILESTONE=true or GITLAB_TOOLSETS=milestones |
| wiki (10 tools) | no | USE_GITLAB_WIKI=true or GITLAB_TOOLSETS=wiki |
| releases (7 tools) | no | GITLAB_TOOLSETS=releases |
| tags (5 tools) | no | GITLAB_TOOLSETS=tags |
| workitems (18 tools) | no | GITLAB_TOOLSETS=workitems |
| webhooks (3 tools) | no | GITLAB_TOOLSETS=webhooks |
| search (3 tools) | no | GITLAB_TOOLSETS=search |
Enable all: GITLAB_TOOLSETS=all. Use GITLAB_TOOLS to enable individual tools outside their toolset. discover_tools can activate opt-in categories for the current session.
Key Workflows
Code Review (see reference/code-review.md)
list_merge_request_changed_files- get file paths only (no diffs)get_merge_request_file_diff- get diffs for 3-5 files per call (batch)create_merge_request_threadorcreate_draft_note- leave review commentsbulk_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
Work Items (see reference/work-items.md)
list_work_items -> get_work_item -> update_work_item -> create_work_item_note
Webhooks & Search
- Webhooks: see reference/webhooks.md
- Code search: see reference/search.md
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) - MR lookup: provide
mergeRequestIidORbranchName(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
- emoji reactions: merge request, issue, and work item reaction tools use GitLab emoji names like
thumbsup,rocket, oreyes - work items: status and custom fields require GitLab Premium/Ultimate features
- execute_graphql: escape double quotes in query strings
Destructive Tools (require caution)
delete_issue, delete_label, delete_wiki_page, delete_group_wiki_page, delete_milestone, delete_release, delete_tag, delete_merge_request_note, delete_merge_request_discussion_note, delete_draft_note, delete_issue_link, delete_merge_request_emoji_reaction, delete_merge_request_note_emoji_reaction, delete_issue_emoji_reaction, delete_issue_note_emoji_reaction, delete_work_item_emoji_reaction, delete_work_item_note_emoji_reaction, merge_merge_request, push_files
Advanced
- Dynamic discovery:
discover_toolslists and activates opt-in toolsets at runtime - GraphQL:
execute_graphqlfor queries not covered by REST tools - Zoekt search:
search_code,search_project_code,search_group_code(requires advanced search enabled) - Work Items: GraphQL-based alternative to issues (Premium/Ultimate features)