How To Create A Personal Access Token in GitLab?

A personal access token (PAT) in GitLab is an alternative to using a password for authenticating GitLab API requests, Git operations, and other integrations. These tokens provide more control and security, allowing you to define specific scopes and expiration dates.

In this article, we'll cover how to create a personal access token in GitLab, including the steps to configure it, use cases, and best practices.

What is a Personal Access Token?

A personal access token (PAT) is a secure way to authenticate with GitLab for Git operations, API access, and integrations. PATs are more secure than using your password because they can be restricted to specific scopes and have an expiration date. Once created, a PAT can be used instead of a password in cases like:

• Authenticating Git operations (push, pull, clone).
• Accessing the GitLab API.
• Integrating third-party tools with GitLab.

When to Use a Personal Access Token

You should use a personal access token in the following scenarios:

• Command-Line Operations: When pushing, pulling, or cloning repositories via the command line.
• API Authentication: When making API requests to automate tasks or integrate GitLab with other tools.
• Third-Party Integrations: When connecting external applications, CI/CD tools, or scripts that require access to your GitLab account.
• Using a PAT is more secure than sharing your password, and it allows you to limit the access scope according to your needs.

How to Create a Personal Access Token in GitLab

Follow these steps to create a personal access token in GitLab:

Step 1: Log in to Your GitLab Account:

Go to your GitLab instance and log in with your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to Your User Settings:

In the top-right corner, click on your profile picture or avatar, and select Edit Profile from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Access the Personal Access Tokens Section:

In the left sidebar, under User Settings, select Access Tokens.

Step 4: Create a New Personal Access Token:

In the Personal Access Tokens page:

• Name Your Token: Give your token a descriptive name so you can identify its purpose later (e.g., “CI/CD Automation”).
• Set Expiration Date (Optional): Specify an expiration date for the token. This is a security best practice to prevent indefinite access.
• Select Scopes: Choose the required scopes (permissions) for the token. The available scopes are:
  • api: Grants complete access to the API, including reading and writing data.
  • read_user: Allows reading your profile and groups.
  • read_repository: Provides read-only access to repositories.
  • write_repository: Allows writing to repositories (e.g., push operations).
  • read_registry: Allows read-only access to container registry images.
  • write_registry: Grants permission to upload and delete images in the container registry.

Step 5: Create the Token:

Once you’ve configured the token, click Create personal access token.

Step 6: Copy and Save the Token:

After creating the token, GitLab will display it once. Copy the token and store it in a secure place (e.g., a password manager). You will not be able to view it again after leaving the page.

Using Your Personal Access Token

You can use your personal access token instead of your password for Git operations or API requests. Here’s how:

1. Using PAT for Git Operations:

When pushing or pulling code via the command line, use the token in place of your password:

git clone https://gitlab.com/username/repository.git
Username: your-username
Password: <your-personal-access-token>

2. Using PAT for API Requests:

For API requests, include the token in the header:

curl --header "Private-Token: <your-personal-access-token>" https://gitlab.com/api/v4/projects

Setting Token Scopes and Expiration

Configuring the scopes and expiration of your token is a key step in ensuring security:

• Scopes: Only grant the minimum level of access needed for the task. For example, if you only need to read repository data, select only the read_repository scope.
• Expiration Date: Always set an expiration date if possible. You can generate a new token when the old one expires. This reduces the risk of compromised credentials being used indefinitely.

Best Practices for Managing Personal Access Tokens

• Use Separate Tokens for Different Purposes: Create different tokens for different use cases (e.g., one for CI/CD pipelines and another for API scripts).
• Regularly Rotate Tokens: Periodically revoke old tokens and generate new ones to reduce the risk of long-term exposure.
• Limit Token Scope: Only grant the permissions (scopes) required for the task. Avoid using broad scopes like api unless absolutely necessary.
• Store Tokens Securely: Use a password manager to securely store your tokens. Never hard-code them in scripts or configuration files.

Revoking and Managing Existing Tokens

You can manage your tokens from the Access Tokens page in your profile settings:

• View Existing Tokens: The page displays a list of tokens you’ve created, along with their expiration dates and scopes (though the token value itself is not shown).
• Revoke a Token: To revoke a token, simply click the Revoke button next to the token you want to invalidate.

Revoking a token immediately disables access, preventing it from being used for further operations.