GitKraken Desktop Documentation

GitKraken Desktop & GitLab Integration

Last updated: May 2025

GitKraken allows you to connect to GitLab, enabling streamlined access to your repositories for cloning, issue tracking, and pull request workflows.

Benefits

  • Create new repositories on your GitLab account with optional .gitignore and license templates.
  • Automatically generate and upload an SSH key pair to GitLab.
  • Clone repositories directly from your GitLab repo list.
  • Easily identify GitLab repos via remote avatars on the graph.
  • Add remotes to GitLab repositories.
  • Create and manage pull requests from within GitKraken.
  • Work with GitLab Issues alongside your code.

Note: The GitKraken Community plan only supports public repositories.


Connecting the GitLab integration

To authenticate with GitLab:

  1. Open Preferences > Integrations from the upper-right corner.
Access GitLab integration from Preferences
  1. From the New Tab view, click GitLab under Integrations.
Open integrations from the New Tab screen
  1. In the integration window, select GitLab.com and click .
Click to authenticate GitLab account
  1. Log in via your default browser. After successful authentication, click Open GitKraken to complete the connection.
Sign in to GitLab
Authentication successful — return to GitKraken

You may also connect manually using an OAuth token.

Enter an OAuth token to connect manually

Generating an SSH Key for GitLab

Note: GitKraken uses the SSH key listed in Preferences > SSH unless you configure a GitLab-specific key or enable your local SSH Agent.

Once GitLab is connected, you can generate a new SSH key or upload an existing one:

Options to add an SSH key to GitLab
  • Click to automate the process.
  • Use to use an existing SSH Default.
  • Use Add existing SSH key to upload your own key manually.

OAuth Integration with GitLab

With GitLab connected, GitKraken enhances your workflow with features such as:

  • Browsing your GitLab repositories during cloning:
Browse GitLab repositories while cloning
  • Viewing forks when adding remotes:
Forks shown when adding GitLab remotes

You can still manually enter repository URLs if preferred.


Connecting to Multiple GitLab Accounts

GitKraken supports one GitLab account per profile. With profile support in GitKraken Pro, you can switch between multiple GitLab accounts easily.

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