gitlab-explorer

name	gitlab-explorer
description	Explore GitLab repositories using glab CLI and git commands. Use when user asks to: clone repositories, search projects or code in GitLab, view merge requests, explore project structure, check CI/CD pipelines, work with issues, or analyze git history. IMPORTANT: Always run authentication check script first before any GitLab operation.

GitLab Explorer

This skill enables exploring GitLab repositories, searching code, viewing merge requests, and working with git history.

Before Any GitLab Operation

ALWAYS run the authentication check first:

bash /mnt/skills/public/gitlab-explorer/scripts/check_gitlab_auth.sh

This script will:

• Verify if GitLab token is configured
• Validate the token by calling GitLab API
• Show logged-in user info if valid
• Provide setup instructions if not configured

DO NOT try to read or echo $GITLAB_TOKEN directly - the script handles validation securely without exposing the token.

If authentication is not configured, inform the user:

To use GitLab features, please go to and add your GitLab Personal Access Token. Then start a NEW chat to apply the token.

Quick Start

Clone a Repository

git clone https://gitlab.com/group/project.git
cd project

Search for Projects

# Search projects by name
glab api "projects?search=keyword" | jq '.[].path_with_namespace'

# List projects in a group
glab api "groups/GROUP_NAME/projects" | jq '.[].name'

Check Current User

glab api user | jq '{username, email, name}'

Exploring Code

Repository Structure

# Show directory tree
tree -L 2

# Find files by pattern
find . -name "*.py" -type f

# Search for text in files
git grep "pattern"

Git History

# View commit history
git log --oneline -20

# Visual branch history
git log --oneline --graph --all -20

# Who changed what
git blame filename

# Show specific commit
git show COMMIT_HASH

# Changes between branches
git diff main..feature-branch

Top Contributors

git shortlog -sn --all | head -10

Working with Merge Requests

# List open MRs
glab mr list

# View specific MR
glab mr view 123

# Show MR diff
glab mr diff 123

# Checkout MR branch locally
glab mr checkout 123

CI/CD Pipelines

# Current pipeline status
glab ci status

# List recent pipelines
glab ci list

# View pipeline details
glab ci view PIPELINE_ID

# Watch job logs in real-time
glab ci trace

Issues

# List issues
glab issue list

# View issue details
glab issue view 123

# Create new issue
glab issue create --title "Bug report" --description "Description here"

Reference Materials

For detailed command reference, see:

• references/glab-commands.md - Complete glab CLI reference
• references/git-commands.md - Git commands for code exploration

Common Workflows

Explore Unknown Repository

1. Clone the repo
2. Check README and documentation
3. Explore directory structure with tree
4. Find main entry points
5. Use git log to understand recent changes
6. Use git blame to find who wrote specific code

Review Merge Request

1. glab mr view ID - read description
2. glab mr diff ID - review changes
3. glab mr checkout ID - test locally if needed
4. Check CI status with glab ci status

Find Code by Pattern

# Search in all files
git grep "function_name"

# Search with context
git grep -n -C 3 "pattern"

# Search in specific file types
git grep "pattern" -- "*.py"