Can I use a self‑hosted GitLab instance?

Yes. Set the `GITLAB_URL` environment variable to your GitLab instance URL (e.g., `https://gitlab.example.com`). If not set, it defaults to `https://gitlab.com`.

What environment variables are required?

You must set either `GITLAB_TOKEN` or `GITLAB_OAUTH_TOKEN`. Optionally set `GITLAB_URL` for a non‑default instance. The server will use the OAuth2 token if present; otherwise it uses the personal access token.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `GITLAB_TOKEN`, `GITLAB_URL`, `GITLAB_OAUTH_TOKEN` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

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MCP Server — kopiloto/mcp-gitlab-server

# mcp-gitlab-server > **⚠️ Development Stage Notice** > This project is currently in **development stage**. Features and APIs may change without

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What is the MCP Server?

mcp-gitlab-server > ⚠️ Development Stage Notice > This project is currently in development stage. Features and APIs may change without notice. Use with

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Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
read_repository_code	Reads the entire repository structure and file contents with advanced filtering:
read_repository_file
list_merge_requests
get_merge_request_analytics

How to install the MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "GitLab": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "gitlab-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITLAB_TOKEN": "<your GitLab personal access token>",
        "GITLAB_URL": "https://gitlab.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

Variable	Description	Required
GITLAB_TOKEN	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
GITLAB_URL	Endpoint or connection string the server talks to.	Yes
GITLAB_OAUTH_TOKEN	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes

Example prompts to try

“Use MCP to read repository code.”
“Use MCP to read repository file.”
“Use MCP to list merge requests.”

Frequently asked questions

Two methods: Personal Access Token (set `GITLAB_TOKEN`) or OAuth2 Token (set `GITLAB_OAUTH_TOKEN`). The server checks for `GITLAB_OAUTH_TOKEN` first, then falls back to `GITLAB_TOKEN`. You only need to set one.