How to Use the Command 'glab auth' (with Examples)

The glab auth command is a part of the GitLab CLI tool known as glab, which facilitates interactions with GitLab projects and repositories directly from the command line. This command allows users to authenticate with a GitLab host, whether it’s the primary gitlab.com instance or a self-hosted GitLab instance. Using glab auth, users can easily manage authentication tokens, log in interactively or non-interactively, verify their authentication status, and specify custom GitLab instances for their work. These features streamline workflows by removing the need to manually handle authentication tokens or sessions, thus improving productivity for developers and teams that rely on GitLab for version control and CI/CD pipelines.

Use Case 1: Log in with Interactive Prompt

Code:

glab auth login

Motivation:
This use case is ideal for users who prefer a straightforward, interactive way to log in without handling authentication tokens manually. By using the interactive prompt, the system guides you through the authentication process, making it a user-friendly option for those who may not be comfortable with command line operations.

Explanation:
The glab auth login command is executed without additional options or arguments. When you run this command, the tool prompts you to provide the necessary authentication details, such as your GitLab username and password or a personal access token. This process simplifies the authentication workflow by assisting you step-by-step in logging into your GitLab account through the terminal. It is particularly handy for those who are not familiar with command line intricacies or prefer an interface that leads them through the procedure.

Example Output:

? What GitLab instance do you want to log into? GitLab.com
? Authenticate GitLab.com account: YourUsername
? Password (or token for 2FA-enabled accounts): **********
- Logging into GitLab...
✓ Logged in as YourUsername

Use Case 2: Log in with a Token

Code:

glab auth login --token token

Motivation:
Logging in with a token is particularly useful for scripts or automated setups where manual interaction is not feasible. By using a token, you can bypass the interactive login process and provide the necessary authentication credentials programmatically, ensuring a seamless integration in scenarios that require automation.

Explanation:
This command includes the --token flag followed by an actual personal access token, which you generate from your GitLab account settings. Tokens are preferable in environments where security and automation are crucial, as they can be restricted to specific scopes and permissions. Using a token ensures that only certain operations are possible, reducing the risk of unauthorized actions within your GitLab repositories.

Example Output:

- Logging into GitLab...
✓ Logged in with token

Use Case 3: Check Authentication Status

Code:

glab auth status

Motivation:
Checking your authentication status is crucial in ensuring that your current session with GitLab is active and valid. This use case becomes important when troubleshooting authentication issues or when verifying that your credentials are correctly applied after logging in.

Explanation:
The glab auth status command does not require additional arguments or options. It queries the current authentication status against the GitLab instance you’re connected to, providing immediate feedback on whether or not you have the necessary privileges and a valid session to interact with the repositories.

Example Output:

✓ You are authenticated as YourUsername with GitLab.com

Use Case 4: Log in to a Specific GitLab Instance

Code:

glab auth login --hostname gitlab.example.com

Motivation:
This use case is tailored for users working with multiple GitLab instances, such as gitlab.com and private, self-hosted versions. By specifying the hostname, you can ensure that your authentication credentials are directed to the correct server, which is essential for accessing organization-specific projects or repositories.

Explanation:
The command includes the --hostname flag, followed by the specific URL of the GitLab instance you need to authenticate with. This option allows users to target a particular instance rather than the default gitlab.com, facilitating work in multi-instance environments and ensuring proper access controls.

Example Output:

? Authenticate gitlab.example.com account: YourUsername
? Password (or token for 2FA-enabled accounts): **********
- Logging into gitlab.example.com...
✓ Logged in as YourUsername

Conclusion:

The glab auth command offers a versatile set of features for authenticating with GitLab services, from interactive prompts to fully automated login processes. These use cases illustrate how you can integrate glab auth seamlessly into your workflows, whether you’re a developer managing repositories on a single GitLab instance or an administrator overseeing multiple GitLab environments. By leveraging these commands, you can ensure efficient, secure, and effective authentication management, thereby enhancing your overall GitLab experience.