• Introduction
• GitLab Authentication
  • Method 1: Personal access token
    • Create a personal access token at GitLab
    • Create a connected service in Cerb
    • Create a connected account in Cerb
  • Method 2: OAuth2
    • Create an OAuth application at GitLab
    • Create the GitLab service in Cerb
    • Link the connected account to GitLab in Cerb
• Use the connected account in Cerb automations

Introduction

In this guide we’ll walk through the process of linking Cerb to GitLab. You’ll be able to use GitLab’s full API from automations in Cerb to automate whatever you need.

GitLab Authentication

There are two alternative authentication methods when using the GitLab API.

• Personal Access Tokens: A long-lived secret token for a specific GitLab user. Rotating the token must be done manually. This is the simplest option.

• OAuth2: A short-lived access token and long-lived refresh token. This allows multiple GitLab users to link their account to Cerb. It requires a more involved OAuth application setup, but is the most secure option since secret rotation is automatic and indefinite.

Method 1: Personal access token

Create a personal access token at GitLab

To create a personal access token, log into GitLab.

Click on your profile image in the top of the left sidebar.

Select Preferences from the menu.

Select Access tokens in the left sidebar.

In the Personal access tokens section, click the Add new token button in the top right.

The options for Select scopes depend on your needs. For instance: read_api and read_repository.

Create a connected service in Cerb

In Cerb, navigate to Search » Connected Services » (+) and select the Build tab at the top.

Click the Save Changes button.

Create a connected account in Cerb

In Cerb, navigate to Search » Connected Accounts » (+).

Select GitLab (Access Token).

Choose any name (e.g. GitLab (example-user)) and URI (e.g. gitlab-example-user).

In Token: paste the personal access token you generated at GitLab in the first section above.

Click the Save Changes button.

Test the connected account in automations.

Method 2: OAuth2

Create an OAuth application at GitLab

Log into GitLab. We recommend creating a ‘Cerb’ user account for automations.

Click on your profile picture in the top left and select Preferences.

Select Applications in the left sidebar.

Click the Add new application button in the top right.

Click the blue Save application button.

Copy the Application ID and Secret for the next step.

Create the GitLab service in Cerb

In Cerb, navigate to Search » Connected Services » (+) and select GitLab from the list.

Paste your Application ID and Secret.

Click the Create button.

Link the connected account to GitLab in Cerb

Navigate to Search » Connected Accounts » (+) and select GitLab.

It’s a good idea to add a suffix to the Name and URI if you plan to link multiple GitLab user accounts.

Click the blue Link to GitLab button.

Review the consent form and then click Authorize Cerb.

Click the Save Changes button.

Use the connected account in Cerb automations

Create an automation.function automation:

inputs:
  text/repo:
    type: freeform
    required@bool: yes
  text/query:
    type: freeform
    required@bool: yes

start:
  http.request/search:
    output: http_response
    inputs:
      method: GET
      url: https://gitlab.com/api/v4/projects/{{inputs.repo|url_encode}}/search?scope=issues&search={{inputs.query|url_encode}}
      authentication: cerb:connected_account:gitlab
    on_success:
      return:
        search_results@json: {{http_response.body}}
    on_error:

From the Inputs: section in the lower left of the automation editor, simulate with:

inputs:
  repo: cerb.ai/example-project
  query: tempore