MCP Directory

How to add GitLab MCP Server (zereight) to Claude Desktop

Popular community GitLab MCP server for projects, MRs, issues, pipelines, wikis and releases. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 15, 2026 · 1.7k★ · stdio · apikey

Claude Desktop config for GitLab MCP Server (zereight)

npx -y @zereight/mcp-gitlab
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitlab-mcp-server-zereight": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@zereight/mcp-gitlab"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITLAB_API_URL": "https://gitlab.com/api/v4",
        "GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<your-gitlab-token>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

  1. 1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
  2. 2Paste the GitLab MCP Server (zereight) config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
  3. 3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
  4. 4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
  5. 5Open a chat and confirm GitLab MCP Server (zereight)'s tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

  • Node.js 18 or later (or Docker to run the zereight050/gitlab-mcp image)
  • A GitLab Personal Access Token with at least the `api` scope (create it under GitLab > User Settings > Access Tokens)
  • Your GitLab API URL, e.g. https://gitlab.com/api/v4 for SaaS or your self-hosted instance URL
  • An MCP-capable client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, etc.)

What GitLab MCP Server (zereight) can do in Claude Desktop

create_merge_request

Create a new merge request in a project

get_merge_request_diffs

Fetch the diffs/changed files for a merge request

create_merge_request_note

Add a comment or review note to a merge request

create_issue

Create a new issue in a project

list_issues

List and filter issues in a project

update_issue

Edit or close an existing issue

list_pipelines

List CI/CD pipelines for a project

get_pipeline_job_output

Retrieve the log output of a pipeline job

Security

A GitLab PAT can read and write across all projects you can access; scope it to read_api or specific projects where possible. Point GITLAB_API_URL at your own instance and verify TLS for self-hosted setups.

GitLab MCP Server (zereight) + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the GitLab MCP Server (zereight) config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is GitLab MCP Server (zereight) safe to use with Claude Desktop?

A GitLab PAT can read and write across all projects you can access; scope it to read_api or specific projects where possible. Point GITLAB_API_URL at your own instance and verify TLS for self-hosted setups.

Is this the official GitLab MCP server?

No. It is a popular community project (the @zereight/mcp-gitlab package), not maintained by GitLab Inc. It is licensed MIT.

Does it work with self-hosted GitLab?

Yes. Set `GITLAB_API_URL` to your instance's API endpoint; it works against both self-managed GitLab and gitlab.com.

What token scope do I need?

A Personal Access Token with at least the `api` scope. The token's own permissions determine which projects and actions are available to the assistant.

View repo Full GitLab MCP Server (zereight) page