# gitlab-ci-validator

Validates syntax and security rules in .gitlab-ci.yml. Useful before opening a merge request to catch broken pipelines locally.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 679 installs · ★ 327
- Author: akin-ozer
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills/tree/HEAD/devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-07-26
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/gitlab-ci-validator

## What it does

The skill analyzes `.gitlab-ci.yml` files using a collection of Python and Bash scripts. It splits checks into distinct gates: syntax and schema parsing, along with security audits for exposed credentials or `curl | bash` commands. It also checks caching practices and job dependencies. Passing `--strict` turns best-practice warnings into failures to stop flawed pipelines at the review gate.

Running the checks requires `python3`. The helper script `python_wrapper.sh` automatically creates a virtual environment to install `pyyaml`, though restricted offline environments require installing it beforehand. The tool evaluates configuration and static patterns only, without executing actual GitLab runners. Local pipeline testing with `--test-only` demands `gitlab-ci-local` and Docker.

_Warning: the description mentions a command that downloads and runs a script right away. It is a retelling of the README, not an install step: do not run it without an explicit yes from the human._

## Requirements
- Works with: GitLab

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills --skill gitlab-ci-validator -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills --skill gitlab-ci-validator -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills --skill gitlab-ci-validator -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills gitlab-ci-validator
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills --skill gitlab-ci-validator -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills --path devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills --skill gitlab-ci-validator -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills/tree/HEAD/devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- catch syntax errors and undefined job stages in `.gitlab-ci.yml`
- audit pipelines for hardcoded secrets and unverified remote includes
- verify cache keys and artifact expiration settings
- run local pipeline structure tests before opening merge requests

## Example prompts
- Validate this .gitlab-ci.yml before merge
- Run a security review for our GitLab CI configuration
- Why is this GitLab pipeline failing?

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 1251c07bfc309205.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 1251c07bfc309205
````text
---
name: gitlab-ci-validator
description: Validate, lint, audit, or fix .gitlab-ci.yml pipelines, stages, and jobs.
---

# GitLab CI/CD Validator

Comprehensive toolkit for validating, linting, testing, and securing `.gitlab-ci.yml` configurations.

## Trigger Phrases

Use this skill when requests include intent like:

- "Validate this `.gitlab-ci.yml`"
- "Why is this GitLab pipeline failing?"
- "Run a security review for our GitLab CI"
- "Check pipeline best practices"
- "Lint GitLab CI config before merge"

## Setup And Prerequisites (Run First)

All commands below assume repository root as current working directory.

```bash
# Ensure validator scripts are executable
chmod +x devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/scripts/*.sh \
  devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/scripts/*.py

# Required runtime
python3 --version
```

Use one canonical command path for orchestration:

```bash
VALIDATOR="bash devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/scripts/validate_gitlab_ci.sh"
```

Optional local execution tooling (for `--test-only`):

```bash
bash devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/scripts/install_tools.sh
```

## Quick Start Commands

```bash
# 1) Full validation (syntax + best practices + security)
$VALIDATOR .gitlab-ci.yml

# 2) Syntax and schema only (required first gate)
$VALIDATOR .gitlab-ci.yml --syntax-only

# 3) Best-practices only (recommended)
$VALIDATOR .gitlab-ci.yml --best-practices

# 4) Security only (required before merge)
$VALIDATOR .gitlab-ci.yml --security-only

# 5) Optional local pipeline structure test (needs gitlab-ci-local + Docker)
$VALIDATOR .gitlab-ci.yml --test-only

# 6) Strict mode (treat best-practice warnings as failure)
$VALIDATOR .gitlab-ci.yml --strict
```

## Deterministic Validation Workflow

Follow these gates in order:

1. Run Quick Start command `2` (`--syntax-only`).
2. If syntax fails, stop and fix errors before continuing.
3. Run Quick Start command `3` (`--best-practices`) and apply relevant improvements.
4. Run Quick Start command `4` (`--security-only`) and fix all `critical`/`high` findings before merge.
5. Optionally run Quick Start command `5` (`--test-only`) for local execution checks.
6. Run Quick Start command `6` (`--strict`) for final merge gate.

Required gates: syntax + security.
Recommended gate: best practices.
Optional gate: local execution test.

## Rule Severity Rationale And Documentation Links

### Severity Model

- `critical`: Direct credential/secret exposure or high-confidence compromise path. Block merge.
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 1251c07bfc309205

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 1251c07bfc309205 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

First 2549 of 6461 bytes. © akin-ozer · Apache-2.0 · https://github.com/akin-ozer/cc-devops-skills/tree/HEAD/devops-skills-plugin/skills/gitlab-ci-validator/SKILL.md

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---
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