GitLab MCP Server - AI-Optimized Edition

An AI-Focused Fork for Better GitLab Integration

This fork of the GitLab MCP server addresses specific challenges when using AI agents with GitLab workflows, particularly around context management and response optimization.

Key improvements: Smart pagination for large discussions, streamlined responses with 65-80% token reduction, and enhanced vulnerability data.

Why This Fork Was Created

Context Management Challenge

The original GitLab MCP server can overwhelm AI assistants when dealing with large merge requests containing many discussions (100+ discussions can generate 50,000+ tokens), often resulting in missed comments due to context window limitations.

Our Approach

• Smart Pagination: Discussions are served in manageable chunks with clear metadata
• Focused Data: Only essential information is included in responses
• Enhanced Tools: Improved vulnerability data and streamlined workflows
• Token Optimization: 65-80% reduction in response sizes across all operations

Key Improvements

Response Optimization:

• Paginated discussions prevent context overflow
• Streamlined data format reduces token usage by 65-80%
• Only unresolved discussions are returned by default
• Removed unnecessary fields (avatars, SHA hashes, system metadata, color codes)
• Two-stage optimization: validate with full schema, return essential fields only

Token Usage Reductions:

• Issue Operations: ~80% reduction (getIssue, createIssue, updateIssue)
• Note Creation: ~75% reduction (createMergeRequestNote)
• Thread Replies: ~80% reduction (reply_to_thread - optimized for AI agents)
• Merge Requests: ~65% reduction (getMergeRequest, discussions)
• Overall: 65-80% fewer tokens across all operations

Enhanced Features:

• Better vulnerability data with remediation guidance
• Modular TypeScript architecture (500 vs 3,490 lines)
• 11 focused tools instead of 40+ comprehensive ones
• Complete issue management workflow coverage

Pagination Example:

{
  "total_unresolved": 45,
  "current_page": 1,
  "total_pages": 3,
  "discussions": [...]  // 20 discussions per page
}

Optimization Pattern: All responses follow a two-stage pattern:

1. Validate with full GitLab schema for safety
2. Transform to optimized format with essential fields only
3. Return streamlined response to AI agent

Available Tools

Merge Request Management:

• get_merge_request - Retrieve MR details by ID or branch name
• get_mr_discussions - Get paginated unresolved discussions
• reply_to_thread - Reply to existing discussion threads (optimized - 80% token reduction)
• create_merge_request_note - Add new notes to MRs (optimized - 75% token reduction)
• update_merge_request - Modify MR properties and labels
• create_merge_request - Create new merge requests

Issue Management:

• get_issue - Get issue details (optimized - 80% token reduction)
• create_issue - Create new issues (optimized - 80% token reduction)
• update_issue - Update existing issues (optimized - 80% token reduction)

Security & Testing:

• get_vulnerabilities_by_ids - Enhanced vulnerability information with fix guidance
• get_failed_test_cases - Pipeline test failure analysis

Setup Options

NPX Installation (Recommended)

npx @arm5556/gitlab-mcp-ai

Configuration for mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitlab-ai-optimized": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@arm5556/gitlab-mcp-ai"],
      "env": {
        "GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_token_here",
        "GITLAB_API_URL": "https://your-gitlab.com/api/v4"
      }
    }
  }
}

Local Installation

git clone https://github.com/arm5556/gitlab-mcp.git
cd gitlab-mcp
npm install && npm run build

Alternative configuration for mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitlab-ai-optimized": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["./build/src/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_token_here",
        "GITLAB_API_URL": "https://your-gitlab.com/api/v4"
      }
    }
  }
}

Original Package (For Comparison)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitlab-original": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@zereight/mcp-gitlab"],
      "env": {
        "GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Technical Comparison

| Aspect | This Fork | Original | |--------|-----------|----------| | Discussion Handling | Paginated responses | All-at-once | | Response Size | 65-80% token reduction | Full GitLab API response | | Code Size | ~500 lines | ~3,490 lines | | Tool Count | 11 focused | 40+ comprehensive | | Architecture | Modular TypeScript | Monolithic | | Vulnerability Data | Enhanced with fixes | Standard GitLab data | | Issue Operations | Optimized (80% reduction) | Full API response | | Note Creation | Optimized (75% reduction) | Full API response | | Optimization Pattern | Two-stage validation | Direct API passthrough |

Both versions serve different use cases - this fork specifically optimizes for AI agent workflows.

Token Usage Examples

Before Optimization (Full GitLab API Response):

{
  "id": 123,
  "iid": 42,
  "project_id": 456,
  "title": "Fix authentication bug",
  "author": {
    "id": 789, "username": "dev", "name": "Developer",
    "avatar_url": "https://...", "web_url": "https://...",
    "state": "active", "email": "[email protected]"
  },
  "labels": [
    {
      "id": 101, "name": "bug", "color": "#d73a4a",
      "description": "Something isn't working",
      "open_issues_count": 15, "closed_issues_count": 8
    }
  ],
  // ... 15+ more fields
}

After Optimization (Essential Fields Only):

{
  "iid": 42,
  "title": "Fix authentication bug",
  "author": { "username": "dev" },
  "labels": ["bug"],
  "state": "opened",
  "created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00.000Z",
  "web_url": "https://gitlab.com/project/issues/42"
}

Use Cases

This fork may be helpful if you're:

• Using AI assistants for code review workflows
• Working with large merge requests (many discussions)
• Focused on security vulnerability management
• Looking for more efficient token usage with LLM APIs
• Wanting a simpler, more maintainable codebase
• Processing high-volume GitLab operations

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! The modular architecture makes it easier to add features or make improvements. Each component is focused on a specific functionality.

Credits

Built upon the excellent foundation of the original GitLab MCP server by @zereight. This fork adapts the codebase for specific AI workflow optimizations.

License

Same license as the original project.