Introduction to GitLab

GitLab Quick Start: Version Control, Collaboration, and CI/CD Fundamentals is a two-day, expert-led course designed to build strong foundational skills in Git and GitLab for modern software development teams. Version control is a critical capability for collaboration, traceability, and reliable software delivery, and GitLab provides an integrated DevOps platform that brings source control, collaboration, and automation together in one workflow.

This course teaches participants how to confidently work with Git repositories, manage branches, resolve merge conflicts, and maintain clean, readable commit histories. Learners will explore Git configuration best practices, rebasing and merging strategies, remote repository workflows, and daily productivity techniques that reduce friction in team-based development.

In addition to Git fundamentals, the course introduces GitLab-native collaboration and automation features. Participants will learn how to apply GitLab Flow, manage merge requests, and build simple CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and delivery. Approximately half of the course is hands-on, allowing learners to practice real-world scenarios with instructor guidance.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to contribute effectively to GitLab-based projects, collaborate with confidence, troubleshoot common issues, and apply best practices for version control and continuous delivery.

• Create, manage, and maintain Git repositories using GitLab
• Apply branching strategies and GitLab Flow for team collaboration
• Resolve merge conflicts and manage merges effectively
• Review, clean up, and maintain readable commit histories
• Configure Git for efficient daily workflows using aliases and ignore rules
• Work confidently with remote repositories and forks
• Use GitLab merge requests, approvals, and issue tracking
• Build and troubleshoot basic GitLab CI/CD pipelines

• Software Developers
• QA and Test Engineers
• DevOps and Platform Engineers
• Technical Project Leads
• Site Reliability Engineers
• Technical team members new to Git or GitLab
• Professionals looking to strengthen Git fundamentals and team workflows

• Basic command-line familiarity
• General understanding of software projects
• Comfort navigating web-based tools and interfaces