> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sealsecurity.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sealsecurity.io/discovering/connecting-source-control/gitlab.md).

# Connecting GitLab

Connecting GitLab gives the Seal Platform read access to the GitLab projects you choose, so they can run in [source code mode](/discovering/package-discovery-mode/source-code.md). The GitLab integration covers discovery; remediation runs through the Seal CLI in your CI/CD pipeline (or one of the other deployment methods).

## Before you start

* You have the **Admin** or **Sealer** [role](/getting-started/users-and-sso/user-roles.md) in Seal.
* You have the URL of your GitLab instance (for example, `https://gitlab.com/your-organization/` for GitLab.com, or your self-hosted URL).
* You have a GitLab **personal access token** with the `api` scope, generated by a user with **Developer**, **Maintainer**, or **Owner** role on the projects you want to import.

## Steps

1. Open the **Projects** page in the Seal UI.
2. Click **Import projects** and select **GitLab** from the dropdown.
3. **If GitLab is not yet connected**, the modal opens at the **LOGIN** step. Fill in:
   * **GitLab URL** (the URL of your GitLab instance).
   * **Personal Access Token** (with the `api` scope).
4. **If GitLab is already connected**, the modal opens directly at the **IMPORT** step.
5. In the IMPORT step, select the GitLab projects you want to import as Seal Projects, then confirm.

<figure><img src="/files/wkQj4QIVj9lRgp2Ri1p4" alt="The Connect to GitLab modal LOGIN step with URL and PAT fields"><figcaption><p>Connecting to GitLab</p></figcaption></figure>

## Verify

Each imported project becomes a Seal Project in source code mode. The first scan starts in the background; results appear on the Protection page's Vulnerable packages tab as the scan completes.

## Related

* [Source code mode](/discovering/package-discovery-mode/source-code.md): what Seal sees once GitLab is connected.
* [Managing source control connections](/discovering/connecting-source-control/managing-connections.md): viewing or disconnecting the GitLab installation.