Learn how to connect external tools to GitLab Duo Agent Platform using MCP. Step-by-step setup with three practical workflow demos.

GitLab is a complete DevOps platform delivered as a single application, offering integrated tools for version control, CI/CD, issue tracking, and collaboration. Users can learn about GitLab's DevOps workflow, CI/CD pipelines, and collaboration features to streamline their software development lifecycle and accelerate delivery.

GitLab

GitLab Duo Agent Platform now supports MCP (Model Context Protocol), enabling developers to connect external tools like Jira directly to their AI-powered IDE environment. The tutorial covers setting up a Jira OAuth 2.0 application in the Atlassian Developer Console, configuring the MCP client via a `.gitlab/duo/mcp.json` file, and verifying the connection using the built-in MCP Dashboard in VS Code. Three practical workflows are demonstrated: sprint planning assistance (querying backlog, prioritizing issues), bug triage and issue creation from code context, and cross-system incident investigation correlating Jira tickets with GitLab merge requests. Security considerations including OAuth token management and least-privilege scopes are also addressed.

Extend GitLab Duo Agent Platform: Connect any tool with MCP

Part 2: Configure GitLab Duo Agent Platform MCP client