Files

SKILL.mdagentsreferences

Install

Install the containing plugin

/plugin install ci-cd@llm-skills

Invoke this skill after installation

/ci-cd:gitlab-cd

Download gitlab-cd-skill.zip

This skill is bundled inside ci-cd. Install the plugin once, then Claude Code can use any of its included skills. Browse the full plugin repository at github.com/alisonaquinas/llm-ci-dev.

SKILL.md

name: gitlab-cd description: > Deploy with GitLab CD environments and pipelines. Manage deployments, environments, and releases using GitLab's native CD capabilities.

GitLab CD

Deploy applications using GitLab CD environments, pipelines, and release management. This skill covers deployment lifecycle management, environment protection, review apps, and integration with deployment targets like Kubernetes, cloud platforms, and container registries.

Intent Router

Load reference files for depth on specific topics:

Topic	File	Load when...
Environments & Deployments	`references/environments-and-deployments.md`	Setting up deployment environments, tiers, protected environments, and tracking
Deployment Targets	`references/deployment-targets.md`	Integrating with Kubernetes, cloud providers, registries, or custom targets
Review Apps	`references/review-apps.md`	Creating dynamic review environments for merge requests
Release & Versioning	`references/release-and-versioning.md`	Managing releases, semantic versioning, and artifact distribution

Quick Start

Deployment Job Pattern

A basic deployment job in .gitlab-ci.yml:

deploy_production:
  stage: deploy
  image: alpine:latest
  script:
    - echo "Deploying to production..."
  environment:
    name: production
    url: https://app.example.com
    deployment_tier: production
    auto_stop_in: never
  only:
    - main

Manual vs Automatic Deployments

Automatic — Runs immediately when pipeline conditions are met
Manual — Requires when: manual and explicit trigger from pipeline UI or API

deploy_staging:
  environment:
    name: staging
  when: manual  # Requires manual trigger

Protected Environments

Restrict deployments to specific users, groups, or approval requirements:

deploy_production:
  environment:
    name: production
  only:
    - main

Enable production environment protection in GitLab UI under Deployments > Environments to require approvals.

Environment URLs

Set deployment URLs for easy access from the GitLab interface:

environment:
  name: production
  url: https://app.example.com
  auto_stop_in: 1 week  # Auto-stop review app after 1 week

Related References

Load Environments & Deployments to configure deployment tiers, protection, and history
Load Deployment Targets for Kubernetes, AWS, GCP, Heroku, or registry integration
Load Review Apps for per-branch dynamic environments
Load Release & Versioning for release management and semantic versioning