Self-hosting GitLab in your homelab allows you to manage code repositories, CI/CD pipelines, and collaborative development projects in a secure, private environment. This guide walks you through installing and configuring GitLab on your homelab server.

What You’ll Need

  • A server or virtual machine with at least:
    • 4 GB RAM and 2 CPUs (recommended for smaller deployments).
    • 20 GB of storage (more for large repositories or CI/CD).
  • A Linux-based OS (Ubuntu 20.04 or newer is recommended).
  • A static IP or domain name (for remote access).

Step 1: Update and Prepare Your Server

  1. Log into your server:
ssh user@<server_ip>
  1. Update the system packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  1. Install dependencies:
sudo apt install -y curl openssh-server ca-certificates

Step 2: Install GitLab

  1. Add the GitLab repository:
curl -s [https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ee/script.deb.sh](https://packages.gitlab.com/install/repositories/gitlab/gitlab-ee/script.deb.sh) | sudo bash
  1. Install GitLab:
    Replace <your-domain> with your server’s domain or IP:
sudo EXTERNAL_URL="http://<your-domain>" apt install -y gitlab-ee
  1. Run the GitLab reconfiguration script:
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure

Step 3: Access the GitLab Web Interface

  1. Open your web browser and go to http://<your-domain>.
  2. Set a password for the default root user on the first login.
  3. Log in using the root username and your new password.

Step 4: Configure GitLab

  1. Set up email notifications:
  • Edit the /etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb file and configure SMTP settings.
  • Reconfigure GitLab: 
    sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure
  1. Create a new project:
  • Navigate to the Projects tab in the web interface.
  • Click New Project and follow the wizard to create your repository.

Step 5: Connect to Your Repository

  1. Clone the repository to your local machine:
git clone http://<your-domain>/<namespace>/<repository>.git
  1. Push your code to the repository:
cd <repository> git add . git commit -m "Initial commit" git push origin main

Step 6: Enable SSL (Optional)

  1. Install Certbot for Let’s Encrypt:
sudo apt install -y certbot
  1. Generate an SSL certificate:
sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d <your-domain>
  1. Update GitLab configuration:
    Edit /etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb:
external_url "https://<your-domain>" nginx['ssl_certificate'] = "/etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>/fullchain.pem" nginx['ssl_certificate_key'] = "/etc/letsencrypt/live/<your-domain>/privkey.pem"
  1. Reconfigure GitLab:
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure

Step 7: Configure CI/CD Pipelines (Optional)

  1. Add a .gitlab-ci.yml file to your repository root:
yaml
stages:
  - build

build-job:
  stage: build
  script:
    - echo "Hello, World!"
  1. Commit and push the file:
git add .gitlab-ci.yml
git commit -m "Add CI/CD pipeline"
git push origin main
  1. 2. Check the CI/CD > Pipelines section in the GitLab web interface to monitor the job.:

FAQs

Q: Is GitLab free to use?
A: Yes, GitLab offers a free tier with all essential features for self-hosting. Paid tiers include advanced features like enhanced security and analytics.

Q: Can I run GitLab on a Raspberry Pi?
A: Yes, but it’s resource-intensive. Consider using lightweight alternatives like Gitea or GitBucket for low-powered devices.

Q: How do I update GitLab?
A: Run the following commands to update GitLab:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure

Q: How do I back up GitLab?
A: Use the built-in backup tool:

sudo gitlab-backup create

Backups are stored in /var/opt/gitlab/backups by default.

Q: How do I secure my GitLab server?
A: Enable SSL, configure a firewall to block unused ports, and ensure regular updates.

Q: Can I access GitLab remotely?
A: Yes, configure a static IP or domain, and open the necessary ports on your firewall/router.

Q: What are some GitLab alternatives?
A: Alternatives include Gitea, GitHub Enterprise Server, and Bitbucket Server.

Self-hosting GitLab in your homelab provides full control over your version control system and development workflows. Enjoy exploring its powerful features!