GitLab CI is an open-source continuous integration and deployment tool that is integrated with GitLab, a web-based Git repository management tool. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process to install GitLab CI on Elementary OS Latest.
Before we start with the installation process, make sure that you have the following prerequisites:
Ensure that your Elementary OS Latest system package lists are up-to-date using the command below:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
After updating your system, install the necessary dependencies that are required for GitLab CI using the following command:
sudo apt install -y curl openssh-server ca-certificates postfix
GitLab CI requires a mail server to send email notifications. As such we will install postfix which is a popular mail server.
GitLab CI is part of the GitLab CE package. To install it, add the GitLab CE package repository and install GitLab CE:
curl https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ce/script.deb.sh | sudo bash
sudo apt-get install gitlab-ce
The next step is to perform some post-installation configurations on GitLab CE. First, ensure that the GitLab service is running using the following command:
sudo gitlab-ctl status
If GitLab is not running, start the service using the command:
sudo gitlab-ctl start
Once GitLab is running, access the web interface by navigating to http://<your-server-name-or-ip-address>. The installation process will take you through a set up that you will need to complete to be able to use Gitlab.
Visit http://<your-server-name-or-ip-address>, and navigate to the GitLab main page. Click on the CI/CD menu and select Runners.
The GitLab runner is a container that runs builds, which is automatically created when you install GitLab CE. We will create one runner at the moment.
To register the runner, you will need to obtain a registration token from the GitLab configuration page. Select a project you want to run the pipeline. Click the gear icon next to the project's name, select CI/CD, and then click on Runners.
The Runners screen will provide you with the registration token that you will use to register the new Runner. Find the Runner section in your GitLab Configuration screen and copy the registration token.
Back to your PC, execute the following command:
sudo gitlab-runner register
The following prompts will appear:
http://<your-server-name-or-ip-address><runner-registration-token><runner-name>linux,xenial,ubuntu,dockerdockeralpine:latest<runner-name>After registering returns success, start the Runner:
sudo gitlab-runner start
In this tutorial, we have demonstrated how to install GitLab CI on Elementary OS Latest. The final step is to create GitLab CI/CD pipelines to automate software builds, testing and deployment.
If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!
Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!
