feat: DRC-1962

gcko · gcko · commit 9836237315fb · 2025-10-26T20:55:20.000+08:00
- Add GitLab support into "Start Free with Cloud" documentation
- Add a document specific to GitLab Personal Access Tokens and Recce's requirements

Signed-off-by: Jared Scott &lt;jared.scott@datarecce.io&gt;
diff --git a/docs/2-getting-started/start-free-with-cloud.md b/docs/2-getting-started/start-free-with-cloud.md
@@ -1,34 +1,40 @@
 ---
-title: Start free with Cloud
+title: Start Free with Cloud
 ---
 
 # Start Free with Recce Cloud
 
-**Launch Recce in under 2 minutes**. Each following feature provides additional value. The progressive features help you get more value from Recce over time.
+**Launch Recce in under 2 minutes**. Each following feature provides additional value. The progressive features help you
+get more value from Recce over time.
 
 👉 **[Start Free →](https://cloud.reccehq.com){target="_blank"}**
 
 ## Model Changes and Impact Analysis
 
-Recce shows what changed between **base** and **current** environments and helps assess potential impact. The most common case is comparing your development branch against your production or main branch to see what your changes will impact. 
+Recce shows what changed between **base** and **current** environments and helps assess potential impact. The most
+common case is comparing your development branch against your production or main branch to see what your changes will
+impact.
 
-You can: 
+You can:
 
 - Explore with the pre-loaded Jaffle Shop data
 - Upload your metadata (see below)
-- **Skip manual upload go directly to [CI/CD automation](#cicd-automation)** 
+- **Skip manual upload go directly to [CI/CD automation](#cicd-automation)**
 
 <!-- insert a video -->
 
 ### Upload Metadata
+
 - Web interface: Click "Update" on the session you want to update in Recce Cloud.
-    1. Click "Update" in base session to upload baseline metadata
-    2. Click "Update" in current session to upload comparison metadata
-    3. Click "Launch" to compare current against base
+  1. Click "Update" in base session to upload baseline metadata
+  2. Click "Update" in current session to upload comparison metadata
+  3. Click "Launch" to compare current against base
 - CLI command:
+
 ```
 recce upload-session --session-id <your_session_id>
 ```
+
 Find your session ID in Recce Cloud web interface when clicking "Update" on any session.
 
 ### Required Files
@@ -47,7 +53,6 @@ Choose one method:
 dbt docs generate --target-path target-base --target <your_prod_target>
 ```
 
-
 **Method 2: dbt Cloud**<br>
 Deploy → Jobs → Production job → Recent run → Download artifacts
 
@@ -72,10 +77,10 @@ dbt docs generate --target <your_dev_target>
 **Method 2: dbt Cloud**<br>
 Deploy → Jobs → CI job → Recent run → Download artifacts
 
-
 ## Data Warehouse Diffing {#data-diffing}
 
-Go beyond metadata to see how changes affect your actual data. Configure your data warehouse connection to compare query results and catch issues before they impact production.
+Go beyond metadata to see how changes affect your actual data. Configure your data warehouse connection to compare query
+results and catch issues before they impact production.
 
 ### Setup Requirements
 
@@ -99,7 +104,8 @@ Configure connection to your data warehouse to enable query result comparisons.
 2. Create a new connection or select an existing one from the dropdown
 3. Your connection is linked and ready to use
 
-For detailed connection settings, see [Connect to Warehouse](../5-data-diffing/connect-to-warehouse.md). Connection credentials are encrypted and secure - see our [security practices](https://reccehq.com/security/).
+For detailed connection settings, see [Connect to Warehouse](../5-data-diffing/connect-to-warehouse.md). Connection
+credentials are encrypted and secure - see our [security practices](https://reccehq.com/security/).
 
 <!-- insert a video -->
 
@@ -114,52 +120,56 @@ Recce supports several data diffing methods. See Data Diffing sections for detai
 - [Histogram Diff](/5-data-diffing/histogram-diff/)
 - [Query](/5-data-diffing/query/)
 
-## GitHub Integration {#github-integration}
+## Cloud-based Git Platform Integration {#git-integration}
 
-Connect your GitHub repo to see all PRs in one place and validate changes before they hit production.
+Connect your GitHub or GitLab repository to see all PRs/MRs in one place and validate changes before they hit
+production.
 
 ### Setup Requirements
 
-- GitHub repository with dbt project
-- Repository admin access for initial setup
-- Active PRs with model changes
+| GitHub                                                                                                                 | GitLab                                                                                                                                    |
+|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| • GitHub repository with dbt project<br>• Repository admin access for initial setup<br>• Active PRs with model changes | • GitLab project with dbt project<br>• Project maintainer or owner access for initial setup<br>• Active merge requests with model changes |
 
 !!!Note
-    You'll need administrative access to the GitHub organization you want to connect. Please ensure you have the necessary permissions for **GitHub App installations**.
+    You'll need administrative access to the Organization/Group you want to connect. Please ensure you have the necessary
+    permissions for **App installations** (GitHub) or **Providing a Personal Access Token** (GitLab).
 
-### GitHub Connection
+### Connection
 
-Connect your repository to track pull requests and validate changes.
+Connect your repository to track pull requests/merge requests and validate changes.
+
+!!!Note
+    Keep **Connection setup** note the same as before if there was one specific to this section.
 
 **Connection setup:**
 
-1. Navigate to settings
-2. Connect GitHub repository
-3. Authorize Recce access
-4. Select repository
+| GitHub                                                                                                       | GitLab                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
+|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| 1. Navigate to settings<br>2. Connect GitHub repository<br>3. Authorize Recce access<br>4. Select repository | 1. Navigate to settings<br>2. Connect GitLab by providing a Personal Access Token ([see our directions here](../7-cicd/gitlab-pat-guide.md))<br>3. Connect a project by adding a GitLab Project or URL to a Recce Project |
 
 <!-- insert a video -->
 
-### How to Use PR Tracking
+### How to Use PR/MR Tracking
 
-Once connected, Recce displays all open and draft PRs in your dashboard.
+Once connected, Recce displays all open and draft PRs/MRs in your dashboard.
 
-### PR Validation Workflow
+### PR/MR Validation Workflow
 
-- View open/draft PRs in dashboard
-- Select PR to validate
-- Upload PR metadata (until CI/CD is configured)
+- View open/draft PRs/MRs in dashboard
+- Select PR/MR to validate
+- Upload PR/MR metadata (until CI/CD is configured)
 - Launch Recce to analyze changes
 
-
 ## CI/CD Automation {#cicd-automation}
 
-Set up CI/CD to automatically upload metadata and run validation checks on every PR. 
+Set up CI/CD to automatically upload metadata and run validation checks on every PR.
 
 !!!Note
     Available with Team plan (free trial included).
 
 ### Setup Requirements
+
 See the CI/CD sections for complete setup guides:
 
 - [Setup CD](/7-cicd/setup-cd/)
diff --git a/docs/7-cicd/gitlab-pat-guide.md b/docs/7-cicd/gitlab-pat-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+---
+title: GitLab Personal Access Token
+---
+
+# GitLab Personal Access Token Setup
+
+To integrate Recce with your GitLab project, you'll need to create a Personal Access Token (PAT) with appropriate
+permissions.
+
+## Token Scope Requirements
+
+Recce supports two different permission levels depending on your needs:
+
+| Scope      | Permissions                      | Features Available                                                                                                                  |
+|------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| `api`      | Full API access (read and write) | • View and track merge requests<br>• **Receive generated summaries and notes on MRs from Recce**<br>• Full integration capabilities |
+| `read_api` | Read-only API access             | • View and track merge requests<br>• **Cannot receive generated summaries and notes on MRs from Recce**                             |
+
+!!!warning "Important: Choose the Right Scope"
+    If you want Recce to automatically post validation summaries and notes directly to your merge requests, you **must** use
+    the `api` scope. The `read_api` scope only allows Recce to read merge request information but cannot write comments or
+    summaries back to GitLab.
+
+## How to Create a Personal Access Token
+
+Follow these steps to create a Personal Access Token in GitLab:
+
+1. **Navigate to [Personal Access Token Settings in GitLab](https://gitlab.com/-/user_settings/personal_access_tokens)**
+
+2. **Create New Token**
+    - Click **Add new token** button
+    - Enter a descriptive **Token name** (e.g., "Recce Integration")
+    - Set an **Expiration date**
+
+3. **Select Scopes**
+
+    Choose one of the following based on your needs:
+
+    **Option A: Full Integration (Recommended)**<br>
+    - ✅ `api` scope<br>
+    - This enables Recce to post validation summaries and notes to your merge requests
+
+    **Option B: Read-Only Access**<br>
+    - ✅ `read_api` scope<br>
+    - ⚠️ You will **not** receive generated PR summaries and notes on your MRs from Recce
+
+4. **Generate Token**
+    - Click **Create personal access token**
+    - **Important**: Copy the token immediately - you won't be able to see it again!
+
+5. **Save Token Securely**
+    - Store the token in a secure location
+
+
+## Using Your Token with Recce
+
+Once you have your Personal Access Token:
+
+1. Navigate to Recce settings
+2. Select GitLab integration
+3. Paste your Personal Access Token
+4. Complete the connection setup
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+**Token not working?**
+
+- Verify you've selected the correct scope (`api` or `read_api`)
+- Check that the token hasn't expired
+- Ensure you have appropriate project permissions (Maintainer or Owner role)
+
+**Not receiving summaries on merge requests?**
+
+- Verify your token uses the `api` scope (not just `read_api`)
+- Check that Recce has write permissions to your project
+
+**Still having issues?**
+
+- Please reach out to us on [our Discord](https://discord.gg/HUUx9fyphJ) or via email at `help@reccehq.com`
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [Cloud-based Git Platform Integration](../2-getting-started/start-free-with-cloud.md#git-integration)
+- [CI/CD Automation](../2-getting-started/start-free-with-cloud.md#cicd-automation)
diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ nav:
           #- 7-cicd/recce-summary.md content outdated
           - 7-cicd/preset-checks.md
           - 7-cicd/best-practices-prep-env.md
+          - 7-cicd/gitlab-pat-guide.md
 
       - Technical Concepts:
           - 8-technical-concepts/state-file.md
