gitlab-mcp

GitLab MCP server providing 165 tools: 163 tools across 15 toolsets, plus execute_graphql and the always-available discover_tools meta-tool.

Toolsets

Toolset	Default	Enable with
merge_requests (40 tools)	yes	-
issues (20 tools)	yes	-
repositories (7 tools)	yes	-
branches (4 tools)	yes	-
projects (8 tools)	yes	-
labels (5 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)

1. list_merge_request_changed_files - get file paths only (no diffs)
2. get_merge_request_file_diff - get diffs for 3-5 files per call (batch)
3. create_merge_request_thread or create_draft_note - leave review comments
4. bulk_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 mergeRequestIid OR branchName (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, or eyes
• 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_tools lists and activates opt-in toolsets at runtime
• GraphQL: execute_graphql for 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)