GitLab CLI review
A free, open-source CLI for GitLab projects and merge requests.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
GitLab CLI, commonly invoked as `glab`, brings GitLab workflows into a terminal. It is intended for developers and teams who manage GitLab projects and merge requests and prefer command-line interaction over a browser-only workflow. The tool is published in GitLab’s public repository, making its source available for inspection and contribution. Its focus is GitLab itself, rather than a general-purpose interface for multiple code-hosting services.
The project is open source and free to use, with support for Linux, macOS, and Windows. That combination makes it practical across common developer environments without tying usage to a hosted subscription tier. The platform fit is direct: commands operate against GitLab projects, while merge request work can stay within the terminal. Teams standardizing on GitLab can therefore keep repository and review tasks in scripts, shell sessions, or terminal-based routines, subject to the command coverage they need.
Its clearest strength is focused access to GitLab workflows and merge requests from the command line. That narrow scope can be an advantage for GitLab-centric users who want fewer context switches, but it also limits the tool’s relevance for teams working across several hosting platforms or seeking a broad developer-operations CLI. Choose GitLab CLI when GitLab is your primary code-hosting environment and terminal work is central to your process. Consider another tool when you need wider service coverage or capabilities beyond the published project and merge request workflow focus.
GitLab CLI pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Runs GitLab workflows directly from a terminal
- Supports project and merge request commands
- Free, open-source, and cross-platform
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on GitLab rather than multi-service workflows
- Feature scope centers on projects and merge requests
- Requires comfort with command-line operations
GitLab CLI fact sheet, pricing and score →
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