glab-runner

name	glab-runner
description	Manage GitLab CI/CD runners using the glab CLI. Use this skill whenever the user wants to list, pause, unpause, assign, unassign, or delete CI/CD runners. Trigger on phrases like "list runners", "pause a runner", "assign runner to project", "check runner status", "delete a runner", or any GitLab runner management task.

GitLab CI/CD Runner Management

Use glab runner to manage CI/CD runners at project, group, or instance level.

List Runners

glab runner list                      # project runners (current repo)
glab runner list -g <group>           # group runners
glab runner list -i                   # instance runners (requires admin)
glab runner list -O json

View Jobs on a Runner

glab runner jobs <runner-id>

Shows active and recent jobs for the given runner.

Pause / Unpause a Runner

glab runner update <runner-id> --pause
glab runner update <runner-id> --unpause

Pausing prevents the runner from picking up new jobs without removing it.

Assign / Unassign Runner to Project

glab runner assign <runner-id>              # assign to current project
glab runner unassign <runner-id>            # unassign from current project

Delete a Runner

glab runner delete <runner-id>

Note: Deleting a runner removes it permanently. The runner process on the host will need to be stopped separately.

View Runner Managers

glab runner managers <runner-id>

Shows the machines/processes running the runner.

Behavior Guidelines

1. Scope flags are mutually exclusive: -i (instance), -g <group>, and -R <repo> cannot be combined — pick the right scope.
2. Before deleting: Always check glab runner jobs <id> to ensure no active jobs are running.
3. Pause vs delete: Recommend --pause for temporary maintenance rather than deletion — it's reversible.
4. Admin access: Instance-level runner listing (-i) requires GitLab admin or owner permissions.
5. Runner IDs: Use glab runner list -O json | jq '.[].id' to get runner IDs for scripting.