GitLab MCP Server · jmrplens — Claude Code MCP server: features and setup
Connect an AI client to GitLab actions through MCP. Use it to inspect merge requests, issues, and pipeline failures across GitLab tiers.
claude mcp add --transport http gitlab-mcp-server https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlabWhat GitLab MCP Server does
The server connects to GitLab’s REST and GraphQL APIs. Its two tools expose an action catalog with about 876 actions for Free/CE and up to 1103 for Ultimate. Ask an agent to inspect a merge request, find assigned issues, or investigate a failed pipeline.
Access requires a GitLab token with the api scope; read_api works for actions GitLab permits with it. Claude Code can connect to the hosted HTTP endpoint with one command. For a local npx setup, provide GITLAB_URL and GITLAB_TOKEN; set GITLAB_MCP_READ_ONLY=true when writes must be blocked.
What it helps with
- check whether a merge request is safe to merge
- trace the cause of a failed pipeline
- find open issues assigned to you
- draft release notes between versions
Example prompts for the agent
- Review merge request !15 and tell me whether it is safe to merge.
- Find out why the latest pipeline failed.
- List my open issues and draft release notes from v1.0 to v2.0.
How to install GitLab MCP Server
1Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http gitlab-mcp-server https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlab2Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env GITLAB_URL=<GITLAB_URL> --env GITLAB_TOKEN=<GITLAB_TOKEN> --env GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY=<GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY> --env GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE=<GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE> --env GITLAB_MCP_TIER=<GITLAB_MCP_TIER> --transport stdio jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server -- npx -y @jmrp.io/gitlab-mcp-serverReplace <…> with your own values. 14 more environment variables are in the server README
1Platform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server --url https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlab2Platform CLI
codex mcp add jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server --env GITLAB_URL=<GITLAB_URL> --env GITLAB_TOKEN=<GITLAB_TOKEN> --env GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY=<GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY> --env GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE=<GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE> --env GITLAB_MCP_TIER=<GITLAB_MCP_TIER> -- npx -y @jmrp.io/gitlab-mcp-serverReplace <…> with your own values. 14 more environment variables are in the server README
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server": {
"url": "https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlab"
}
}
}{
"mcpServers": {
"jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@jmrp.io/gitlab-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"GITLAB_URL": "<GITLAB_URL>",
"GITLAB_TOKEN": "<GITLAB_TOKEN>",
"GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY": "<GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY>",
"GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE": "<GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE>",
"GITLAB_MCP_TIER": "<GITLAB_MCP_TIER>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. 14 more environment variables are in the server README
Config file
{
"servers": {
"jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlab"
}
}
}{
"servers": {
"jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@jmrp.io/gitlab-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"GITLAB_URL": "<GITLAB_URL>",
"GITLAB_TOKEN": "<GITLAB_TOKEN>",
"GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY": "<GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY>",
"GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE": "<GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE>",
"GITLAB_MCP_TIER": "<GITLAB_MCP_TIER>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. 14 more environment variables are in the server README
1Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlab2Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e GITLAB_URL=<GITLAB_URL> -e GITLAB_TOKEN=<GITLAB_TOKEN> -e GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY=<GITLAB_MCP_SKIP_TLS_VERIFY> -e GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE=<GITLAB_MCP_TOOL_SURFACE> -e GITLAB_MCP_TIER=<GITLAB_MCP_TIER> jmrplens-gitlab-mcp-server npx -y @jmrp.io/gitlab-mcp-serverReplace <…> with your own values. 14 more environment variables are in the server README
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about GitLab MCP Server
How do I install GitLab MCP Server in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add --transport http gitlab-mcp-server https://mcp.jmrp.io/gitlab. The GitLab connection needs a token with the api scope or suitable read_api access.
What does GitLab MCP Server do?
It connects an AI client to GitLab’s REST and GraphQL APIs. An agent can use it to inspect issues, merge requests, and pipelines.
Which GitLab token does GitLab MCP Server need?
Use a token with the api scope. read_api is enough for actions GitLab allows under that scope; set GITLAB_MCP_READ_ONLY=true to prevent writes.
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