Repository Skill
Repository and project operations for GitLab using the glab CLI.
Quick Reference
| Operation | Command | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Clone repo | glab repo clone <repo> | - |
| Fork repo | glab repo fork <repo> | ⚠️ |
| View repo | glab repo view | - |
| Create repo | glab repo create | ⚠️ |
| Search repos | glab repo search <query> | - |
| Archive repo | glab repo archive | ⚠️⚠️ |
| Delete repo | glab repo delete | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ |
| List contributors | glab repo contributors | - |
Risk Legend: - Safe | ⚠️ Caution | ⚠️⚠️ Warning | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Danger
When to Use This Skill
ALWAYS use when:
- User wants to clone, fork, or create repositories
- User mentions "repo", "repository", "project", "clone", "fork"
- User wants to manage project settings
NEVER use when:
- User wants to work with specific repo content (use git directly)
- User wants to manage deploy keys (use gitlab-deploy-key skill)
Available Commands
Clone Repository
glab repo clone <repo> [directory] [options]Arguments:
<repo>- Repository path, URL, or project ID[directory]- Optional local directory name
Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-g, --group=<group> | Clone all repos in a group |
-p, --preserve-namespace | Clone into subdirectory based on namespace |
-a, --archived=<bool> | Include/exclude archived repos (with -g) |
--paginate | Fetch all pages of projects (with -g) |
Examples:
# Clone by path
glab repo clone gitlab-org/cli
# Clone by URL
glab repo clone https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cli
# Clone into specific directory
glab repo clone gitlab-org/cli my-glab
# Clone by project ID
glab repo clone 4356677
# Clone preserving namespace structure
glab repo clone gitlab-org/cli -p
# Creates: gitlab-org/cli/
# Clone all repos in a group
glab repo clone -g mygroup --paginate
# Clone only non-archived repos from group
glab repo clone -g mygroup --archived=false --paginateFork Repository
glab repo fork <repo> [options]Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-c, --clone | Clone the fork after creating |
-n, --name=<name> | Name for the forked project |
-p, --path=<path> | Path for the forked project |
--remote | Add a remote for the fork |
Examples:
# Fork a repository
glab repo fork owner/repo
# Fork and clone
glab repo fork owner/repo --clone
# Fork with custom name
glab repo fork owner/repo --name="my-fork"
# Fork and add remote
glab repo fork owner/repo --remoteView Repository
glab repo view [repo] [options]Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-w, --web | Open repository in browser |
-b, --branch=<branch> | View specific branch |
Examples:
# View current repository info
glab repo view
# View specific repo
glab repo view gitlab-org/cli
# Open in browser
glab repo view --web
# View specific branch
glab repo view --branch=developCreate Repository
glab repo create [name] [options]Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-n, --name=<name> | Repository name |
-d, --description=<desc> | Repository description |
-g, --group=<group> | Create in specific group/namespace |
--public | Make repository public |
--private | Make repository private |
--internal | Make repository internal |
--readme | Initialize with README |
-c, --clone | Clone after creation |
Examples:
# Create repository interactively
glab repo create
# Create with name and description
glab repo create my-project -d "My awesome project"
# Create public repo in group
glab repo create my-project --group=myteam --public
# Create and clone
glab repo create my-project --clone --readmeSearch Repositories
glab repo search <query> [options]Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-P, --per-page=<n> | Results per page |
--all | Get all results |
Examples:
# Search for repos
glab repo search "cli tools"
# Search with more results
glab repo search "gitlab" --per-page=50Archive Repository
glab repo archive [repo] [options]Archives a repository (makes it read-only).
Examples:
# Archive current repo
glab repo archive
# Archive specific repo
glab repo archive owner/repoDelete Repository
glab repo delete [repo] [options]Warning: This permanently deletes the repository and all its data!
Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-y, --yes | Skip confirmation prompt |
Examples:
# Delete repo (will prompt for confirmation)
glab repo delete owner/repo
# Delete without confirmation (dangerous!)
glab repo delete owner/repo --yesList Contributors
glab repo contributors [repo] [options]Options:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-P, --per-page=<n> | Results per page |
--order=<order> | Sort order: name, email, commits |
Examples:
# List contributors for current repo
glab repo contributors
# List with sorting
glab repo contributors --order=commitsTransfer Repository
glab repo transfer <repo> <new-namespace>Transfer a repository to another namespace.
Examples:
# Transfer to different group
glab repo transfer myrepo newgroupCommon Workflows
Workflow 1: Fork and Contribute
# 1. Fork the repository
glab repo fork upstream/project --clone
# 2. Add upstream remote
cd project
git remote add upstream https://gitlab.com/upstream/project.git
# 3. Create feature branch
git checkout -b feature/my-change
# 4. Make changes, commit, push
git add . && git commit -m "Add feature"
git push -u origin feature/my-change
# 5. Create MR to upstream
glab mr create --target-branch=mainWorkflow 2: Batch Clone Team Repos
# Clone all non-archived repos from team group
glab repo clone -g myteam --archived=false --paginate -p
# This creates:
# myteam/
# repo1/
# repo2/
# ...Workflow 3: Create New Project
# 1. Create the repository
glab repo create awesome-project \
-d "An awesome new project" \
--group=myteam \
--readme \
--clone
# 2. Set up the project
cd awesome-project
# Add initial files...
# 3. View it in browser
glab repo view --webTroubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication failed | Invalid/expired token | Run glab auth login |
| Repo not found | Invalid path or no access | Check repo path and permissions |
| Clone failed | SSH keys not configured | Use HTTPS or configure SSH keys |
| Cannot fork | Already forked or no permission | Check existing forks |
| Cannot delete | Not owner or maintainer | Request owner to delete |