> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.expel.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.expel.io/connect-your-technology/d-j-integrations/gitlab-setup-for-workbench.md).

# GitLab Setup for Workbench

## Prerequisites <a href="#h_01j5906tcd1m6janxv2t8ydzhb" id="h_01j5906tcd1m6janxv2t8ydzhb"></a>

You must have:

1. A GitLab installation. Reach out to your customer success engineer or [contact support](/support/how-to-reach-us.md) if you’re using the self-managed version.
2. A user account with owner permissions on the top-level group.

## Step 1: Generate an API Token <a href="#h_01j5nzp1y1phgv6qn9pqtgd3yx" id="h_01j5nzp1y1phgv6qn9pqtgd3yx"></a>

1. Log in to GitLab.
2. Open your Profile menu and select **Preferences**.
3. Click **Access Tokens**.
4. Generate a **Personal Access Token** with a **1-year expiry date** and a `read_api` permission level.

## Step 2: Add GitLab as a Security Device in Workbench <a href="#h_01j5nzp1y2k8zcdj29nj6fb5ay" id="h_01j5nzp1y2k8zcdj29nj6fb5ay"></a>

Now that you have the correct access configured and noted the credentials, you can integrate your tech with Workbench.

1. In a new browser tab, log in to [Workbench](https://workbench.expel.io/settings/security-devices?setupIntegration=gitlab). The link opens the Add Security Device screen directly.
2. Complete the configuration as follows:
   * **Name** - enter a name that might help you more easily identify this integration, such as “CompanyName GitLab”; this name will display in Workbench under the Name column, and is a text string that you can filter on.
   * **Location** - enter the location of your integration, for example “cloud.” This is also a text string that you can filter on, so we recommend being consistent with location naming across your Expel integrations.
   * **API token** - provide the Personal Access Token generated in [Step 1](https://support.expel.io/hc/en-us/articles/10853659813395-GitLab-Setup-for-Workbench#h_01J5NZP1Y1PHGV6QN9PQTGD3YX).
   * **On-prem URL** - if the server is self-managed, use the GitLab server URL.
3. Select **Save**.

Your device should be created successfully within a few seconds. A few reminders:

* After your connection is healthy, it will take some time for your device to begin polling and receiving data.
* To check on the status, select the downward arrow for your device in the first column and choose **View details**.
* Polling will happen first; data will be received after that. **You must refresh the page to see updates.**
* If your device does not begin polling within 15 minutes, and does not begin receiving data within 30 minutes, [contact our support team for help](/support/how-to-reach-us.md).
* To check if alerts are coming through, navigate to **Dashboards > Alert Analysis**. Scroll to the device you want to check, and select the **Expel Alerts** tab to reveal more alert information. It can take 36 to 72 hours for alerts to appear after setup, as we [tune your device](/workbench-reference/alerts/how-expel-alerts-work.md#device-tuning).


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