GitLab & Jira▌

by hainanzhao
Integrate GitLab & Jira for seamless merge reviews, pipelines, issue tracking, and unified search for better project coo
Integrates GitLab and Jira APIs to enable merge request reviews, pipeline management, issue tracking, and ticket operations with unified search capabilities and intelligent fuzzy matching for cross-platform project coordination.
best for
- / Development teams using GitLab and Jira together
- / DevOps engineers managing CI/CD workflows
- / Project managers tracking cross-platform issues
capabilities
- / Review and comment on GitLab merge requests
- / Trigger and monitor GitLab CI/CD pipelines
- / Create and update Jira tickets
- / Search across GitLab issues and Jira tickets
- / Manage GitLab branches and releases
- / Transition Jira tickets between statuses
what it does
Integrates GitLab and Jira APIs to let AI assistants manage merge requests, pipelines, issues, and tickets across both platforms with unified search.
how to install
You can install GitLab & Jira in your AI client of choice. Use the install panel on this page to get one-click setup for Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, and other MCP-compatible clients. This server runs locally on your machine via the stdio transport.
license
MIT
GitLab & Jira is released under the MIT license. This is a permissive open-source license, meaning you can freely use, modify, and distribute the software.
readme
MCP GitLab Jira Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for GitLab and Jira integration. This server allows AI agents like gemini-cli to interact with your GitLab and Jira instances.
Features
GitLab
- Projects: List all accessible projects or filter them by name.
- Merge Requests: List merge requests for a project, get detailed information (including diffs), add comments, and assign reviewers.
- Pipeline/CI/CD: Get pipeline status, trigger/retry/cancel pipelines, get job details and logs.
- Branch Management: List, create, delete branches and get branch details.
- Issue Management: Create, list, update, close issues and manage comments.
- Files: Get the content of a specific file at a given SHA.
- Releases: List all releases for a project or filter them since a specific version.
- Users: List project members, get a user's ID by username, and get user activities.
Jira
- Tickets: Get detailed information about a ticket, get comments, add comments, search for tickets using JQL, create new tickets, get available transitions, update tickets, and transition tickets to a new status.
- Project Management: Get all projects, project details, components, and versions.
Setup
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+
- GitLab Personal Access Token with API access
- Jira API Token
- Access to a GitLab instance (on-premise or GitLab.com)
- Access to a Jira instance
Installation
-
Install the package globally:
npm i -g mcp-gitlab-jira -
Set up environment variables:
# GitLab export GITLAB_URL="https://your-gitlab-instance.com" export GITLAB_ACCESS_TOKEN="your-personal-access-token" # Jira export ATLASSIAN_SITE_NAME="your-atlassian-site-name" export ATLASSIAN_USER_EMAIL="your-email@example.com" export ATLASSIAN_API_TOKEN="your-jira-api-token" -
Test the server manually:
# Test that the server starts without errors echo '{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "id": 1, "method": "tools/list", "params": {}}' | mcp-gitlab-jiraThe server should start and log "GitLab/Jira MCP server started" to stderr.
Using with MCP Clients
Configuration for gemini-cli or other MCP clients
Create or update your MCP configuration file (usually ~/.mcp/config.json or similar):
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab-jira-mcp": {
"command": "mcp-gitlab-jira",
"env": {
"GITLAB_URL": "https://your-gitlab-instance.com",
"GITLAB_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your-personal-access-token",
"ATLASSIAN_SITE_NAME": "your-atlassian-site-name",
"ATLASSIAN_USER_EMAIL": "your-email@example.com",
"ATLASSIAN_API_TOKEN": "your-jira-api-token"
}
}
}
}
Running with Docker
You can also run this MCP server in a Docker container using the pre-built image from Docker Hub.
Available Docker Images
The Docker images are automatically built and published to Docker Hub for each release:
- Latest release:
hainanzhao/mcp-gitlab-jira:latest - Specific versions:
hainanzhao/mcp-gitlab-jira:v0.1.2,hainanzhao/mcp-gitlab-jira:v0.1.1, etc. - View all available tags: Docker Hub - mcp-gitlab-jira
The images are built for multiple architectures: linux/amd64 and linux/arm64 (Apple Silicon compatible).
Usage
-
Pull and run the Docker container:
docker run -d --name mcp-gitlab-jira-container \ -e GITLAB_URL="https://your-gitlab-instance.com" \ -e GITLAB_ACCESS_TOKEN="your-personal-access-token" \ -e ATLASSIAN_SITE_NAME="your-atlassian-site-name" \ -e ATLASSIAN_USER_EMAIL="your-email@example.com" \ -e ATLASSIAN_API_TOKEN="your-jira-api-token" \ hainanzhao/mcp-gitlab-jira:latest -
Alternative: Run without persistent container (one-time execution):
docker run --rm -i \ -e GITLAB_URL="https://your-gitlab-instance.com" \ -e GITLAB_ACCESS_TOKEN="your-personal-access-token" \ -e ATLASSIAN_SITE_NAME="your-atlassian-site-name" \ -e ATLASSIAN_USER_EMAIL="your-email@example.com" \ -e ATLASSIAN_API_TOKEN="your-jira-api-token" \ hainanzhao/mcp-gitlab-jira:latest
Using with MCP Clients (Docker)
You have two options for using the Docker container with MCP clients:
Option 1: Using a persistent container (recommended)
First, start the container as shown above, then update your MCP configuration file. The env block is empty because the necessary environment variables are passed directly to the container using the -e flag in the docker run command.
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab-jira-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": ["exec", "-i", "mcp-gitlab-jira-container", "npm", "start"],
"env": {}
}
}
}
Option 2: Using one-time execution
This runs a new container for each MCP session:
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab-jira-mcp": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "--rm", "-i",
"-e", "GITLAB_URL=https://your-gitlab-instance.com",
"-e", "GITLAB_ACCESS_TOKEN=your-personal-access-token",
"-e", "ATLASSIAN_SITE_NAME=your-atlassian-site-name",
"-e", "ATLASSIAN_USER_EMAIL=your-email@example.com",
"-e", "ATLASSIAN_API_TOKEN=your-jira-api-token",
"hainanzhao/mcp-gitlab-jira:latest"
],
"env": {}
}
}
}
Available Tools
GitLab Tools
Core GitLab Tools
gitlab_get_merge_request_details: Fetches detailed information about a GitLab Merge Request, including file diffs.gitlab_get_file_content: Fetches the content of a specific file at a given SHA in a GitLab project.gitlab_add_comment_to_merge_request: Adds a comment to a GitLab Merge Request. Can be a general comment, a reply to an existing discussion, or an inline comment on a specific line.gitlab_list_merge_requests: Lists merge requests for a given GitLab project.gitlab_assign_reviewers_to_merge_request: Assigns reviewers to a GitLab Merge Request.gitlab_list_project_members: Lists all members (contributors) of a given GitLab project.gitlab_list_project_members_by_project_name: Lists all members (contributors) of a given GitLab project by project name.gitlab_list_projects_by_name: Filters GitLab projects by name using a fuzzy, case-insensitive match.gitlab_list_all_projects: Lists all accessible GitLab projects.gitlab_list_all_releases: Fetches releases for a given GitLab project.gitlab_list_releases_since_version: Filters releases for a given GitLab project since a specific version.gitlab_get_user_id_by_username: Retrieves the GitLab user ID for a given username.gitlab_get_user_activities: Fetches activities for a given GitLab user by their username, optionally filtered by date.
GitLab Pipeline/CI/CD Tools
gitlab_get_project_pipelines: Gets pipelines for a GitLab project, optionally filtered by branch/ref.gitlab_get_merge_request_pipelines: Gets pipelines for a specific GitLab Merge Request.gitlab_get_pipeline_details: Gets detailed information about a specific pipeline.gitlab_get_pipeline_jobs: Gets jobs for a specific pipeline.gitlab_get_job_logs: Gets logs for a specific job.gitlab_trigger_pipeline: Triggers a new pipeline for a specific branch/ref.gitlab_retry_pipeline: Retries a failed pipeline.gitlab_cancel_pipeline: Cancels a running pipeline.
GitLab Branch Management Tools
gitlab_list_branches: Lists all branches in a GitLab project.gitlab_create_branch: Creates a new branch in a GitLab project.gitlab_delete_branch: Deletes a branch from a GitLab project.gitlab_get_branch_details: Gets detailed information about a specific branch.
GitLab Issue Management Tools
gitlab_list_project_issues: Lists issues in a GitLab project.gitlab_get_issue_details: Gets detailed information about a specific GitLab issue.gitlab_create_issue: Creates a new issue in a GitLab project.gitlab_update_issue: Updates an existing GitLab issue.gitlab_close_issue: Closes a GitLab issue.gitlab_add_comment_to_issue: Adds a comment to a GitLab issue.gitlab_get_issue_comments: Gets comments for a GitLab issue.
Jira Tools
Core Jira Tools
jira_get_ticket_details: Fetches comprehensive information about a Jira ticket with flattened fields, including all custom fields with user-friendly names. Automatically filters out empty values and less useful fields (attachments, avatars). Returns both system and custom fields in a clean, flat structure.jira_get_ticket_comments: Fetches comments for a Jira ticket.jira_add_comment_to_ticket: Adds a comment to a Jira ticket.jira_search_tickets_by_jql: Searches for Jira tickets using a JQL (Jira Query Language) string.jira_create_ticket: Creates a new Jira ticket with given fields.jira_get_available_transitions: Fetches available transitions for a Jira ticket.jira_update_ticket: Updates a Jira ticket summary, description, labels.jira_update_custom_fields: Updates custom fields on a Jira ticket.jira_update_ticket_priority: Updates the priority value for a Jira ticket. Automatically finds the priority custom field (case-insensitive search for "Priority" or "priority"), fetches the allowed values for that field, and matches the provided priority name using fuzzy string matching. Accepts values like "Critical", "High", "Medium", "Low", etc., and will find the best match from the predefined options.jira_update_ticket_sprint: Updates the sprint value for a Jira ticket. Automatically finds the sprint custom field (case-insensitive search for "Sprint" or "sprint"), fetches available sprints from the project's boards, and matches the provided sprint name using fuzzy string matching. Accepts values like "Sprint 1", "Bug Fix Sprint", etc.,
FAQ
- What is the GitLab & Jira MCP server?
- GitLab & Jira is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server profile on explainx.ai. MCP lets AI hosts (e.g. Claude Desktop, Cursor) call tools and resources through a standard interface; this page summarizes categories, install hints, and community ratings.
- How do MCP servers relate to agent skills?
- Skills are reusable instruction packages (often SKILL.md); MCP servers expose live capabilities. Teams frequently combine both—skills for workflows, MCP for APIs and data. See explainx.ai/skills and explainx.ai/mcp-servers for parallel directories.
- How are reviews shown for GitLab & Jira?
- This profile displays 10 aggregated ratings (sample rows for discoverability plus signed-in user reviews). Average score is about 4.5 out of 5—verify behavior in your own environment before production use.
Ratings
4.5★★★★★10 reviews- ★★★★★Shikha Mishra· Oct 10, 2024
GitLab & Jira is among the better-indexed MCP projects we tried; the explainx.ai summary tracks the official description.
- ★★★★★Piyush G· Sep 9, 2024
We evaluated GitLab & Jira against two servers with overlapping tools; this profile had the clearer scope statement.
- ★★★★★Chaitanya Patil· Aug 8, 2024
Useful MCP listing: GitLab & Jira is the kind of server we cite when onboarding engineers to host + tool permissions.
- ★★★★★Sakshi Patil· Jul 7, 2024
GitLab & Jira reduced integration guesswork — categories and install configs on the listing matched the upstream repo.
- ★★★★★Ganesh Mohane· Jun 6, 2024
I recommend GitLab & Jira for teams standardizing on MCP; the explainx.ai page compares cleanly with sibling servers.
- ★★★★★Oshnikdeep· May 5, 2024
Strong directory entry: GitLab & Jira surfaces stars and publisher context so we could sanity-check maintenance before adopting.
- ★★★★★Dhruvi Jain· Apr 4, 2024
GitLab & Jira has been reliable for tool-calling workflows; the MCP profile page is a good permalink for internal docs.
- ★★★★★Rahul Santra· Mar 3, 2024
According to our notes, GitLab & Jira benefits from clear Model Context Protocol framing — fewer ambiguous “AI plugin” claims.
- ★★★★★Pratham Ware· Feb 2, 2024
We wired GitLab & Jira into a staging workspace; the listing’s GitHub and npm pointers saved time versus hunting across READMEs.
- ★★★★★Yash Thakker· Jan 1, 2024
GitLab & Jira is a well-scoped MCP server in the explainx.ai directory — install snippets and categories matched our Claude Code setup.