How to Check Your GitLab Version?

Knowing your GitLab version is essential for various reasons, whether you’re troubleshooting issues, ensuring compatibility with specific tools, or planning updates. Different versions of GitLab come with unique features, improvements, and security fixes, so being aware of your current version helps you make informed decisions regarding updates and compatibility.

In this post, we’ll go over multiple ways to check the version of GitLab you’re using, covering both self-hosted GitLab instances and GitLab.com.

Why Check Your GitLab Version?

• Feature Compatibility: Newer GitLab versions often introduce new features and updates. Knowing your version can help you determine which features are available.
• Security Patches: Each version release often contains security fixes, so it’s important to know if your instance is up-to-date.
• Troubleshooting: When seeking support or debugging issues, knowing the GitLab version is helpful for diagnosing compatibility and configuration issues.
• Upgrade Planning: If you’re planning an upgrade, checking the current version helps you review release notes and changes in newer versions.

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Checking GitLab Version on GitLab.com

If you’re using the hosted version on GitLab.com, you’re always running the latest stable release of GitLab. GitLab regularly updates this platform, so you don’t need to worry about manually checking the version.

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Checking the GitLab Version on a Self-Hosted Instance

For self-hosted GitLab instances, there are several methods to check the current version, depending on your level of access and preferences.

1. Checking the Version via the GitLab Web Interface

The simplest way to check the GitLab version is through the GitLab user interface:

1. Log in to GitLab: Sign in with your GitLab administrator credentials.
2. Navigate to the Help Page:

• In the top-right corner, click on your profile icon or settings icon.
• Select Help from the dropdown menu.

1. Locate the Version Information:

• The version number will be displayed on the Help page, typically in the top right corner or at the top of the page.

This method is ideal for users who have web interface access but don’t have terminal access to the server.

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2. Checking the Version from the Command Line (Omnibus Installations)

If you have SSH access to the GitLab server, you can check the version using the command line. This method is commonly used with GitLab’s Omnibus installation, a popular package for setting up GitLab.

1. SSH into the Server: Open your terminal or command prompt, and connect to the GitLab server via SSH:

   ssh username@your-gitlab-server

2. Run the Version Command: Once you’re connected, run the following command to check the GitLab version:

   sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:env:info

The output will show environment details, including the GitLab version, GitLab Shell version, and Ruby version.

Example Output:

System information
System:         Ubuntu 20.04
Current User:   git
Using RVM:      no
Ruby Version:   2.7.2p137
GitLab version: 14.3.2 (14.3.2)

In this example, the GitLab version is 14.3.2.

3. Alternative Command (If Omnibus Not Installed): If you’re using a source installation or a different GitLab setup, try running:

   sudo -u git -H bundle exec rake gitlab:env:info RAILS_ENV=production

This method provides in-depth details about your GitLab setup, including any custom configurations and environment variables.

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3. Checking the Version with the GitLab Command-Line Tool

If you’ve installed the GitLab command-line tool (gitlab-ctl), you can also retrieve version information with the following command:

sudo gitlab-ctl status

This command lists the status of all GitLab services. Though it does not explicitly show the version, it’s useful for verifying that all services are running correctly. To find the specific version, follow it up with:

sudo gitlab-ctl show-config | grep "gitlab_version"

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4. Checking the Version in GitLab Configuration Files

In some cases, you may find version information in configuration or installation files on the server.

1. Locate GitLab Configuration Files:

• For Omnibus installations, check /opt/gitlab/version-manifest.txt for version information: cat /opt/gitlab/version-manifest.txt
• This file includes the version of GitLab, GitLab Shell, and other dependencies.

1. Viewing the Changelog: You can also refer to GitLab’s changelog in the installation directory if available. The changelog file usually contains information about the installed version and recent updates.

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Checking Version for GitLab Runner

If you’re using GitLab Runner in conjunction with your GitLab instance, you might also need to check the GitLab Runner version. Here’s how to check it:

1. Open Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Run the Version Command:

   gitlab-runner --version

This command displays the version of GitLab Runner installed on your system.

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Keeping Your GitLab Version Up-to-Date

Once you know your GitLab version, it’s essential to stay updated. Here’s why:

• Security: Each release includes patches for vulnerabilities, so updating regularly keeps your GitLab instance secure.
• New Features: Frequent updates introduce new features that can enhance productivity and improve user experience.
• Improved Performance: Updates often come with optimizations for speed and efficiency, ensuring smoother performance for large-scale projects.

To update your GitLab instance, refer to GitLab’s official upgrade documentation for best practices and step-by-step instructions.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you may encounter issues when checking the GitLab version. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Permission Issues: If you receive a “permission denied” error when using commands like gitlab-rake, ensure that you have administrator privileges.
• Command Not Found: If you see a “command not found” error for gitlab-rake or gitlab-ctl, verify that GitLab is installed correctly or try specifying the full path of the command.
• Version Inconsistencies: If the version appears differently between the web interface and the command line, consider restarting GitLab services. Some updates require a restart to apply fully.

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Summary

Knowing your GitLab version is crucial for effective management, ensuring compatibility, and maintaining security. Whether you’re accessing GitLab via the web interface, using command-line tools, or inspecting configuration files, checking your GitLab version is straightforward and essential.

By following this guide, you can easily confirm your GitLab version and stay informed about the latest updates, features, and security patches for your GitLab instance. Regularly checking and updating your version ensures that your development environment remains secure, feature-rich, and efficient.