[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":803},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/en-us/blog/refactor-code-into-modern-languages-with-ai-powered-gitlab-duo":3,"navigation-en-us":39,"banner-en-us":449,"footer-en-us":459,"blog-post-authors-en-us-Michael Friedrich":699,"blog-related-posts-en-us-refactor-code-into-modern-languages-with-ai-powered-gitlab-duo":713,"assessment-promotions-en-us":755,"next-steps-en-us":793},{"id":4,"title":5,"authorSlugs":6,"body":8,"categorySlug":9,"config":10,"content":14,"description":8,"extension":26,"isFeatured":12,"meta":27,"navigation":28,"path":29,"publishedDate":20,"seo":30,"stem":34,"tagSlugs":35,"__hash__":38},"blogPosts/en-us/blog/refactor-code-into-modern-languages-with-ai-powered-gitlab-duo.yml","Refactor Code Into Modern Languages With Ai Powered Gitlab Duo",[7],"michael-friedrich",null,"ai-ml",{"slug":11,"featured":12,"template":13},"refactor-code-into-modern-languages-with-ai-powered-gitlab-duo",false,"BlogPost",{"title":15,"description":16,"authors":17,"heroImage":19,"date":20,"body":21,"category":9,"tags":22},"Refactor code into modern languages with AI-powered GitLab Duo ","This detailed tutorial helps developers use AI to modernize code by switching to a new programming language and gain knowledge about new features in the same language.",[18],"Michael Friedrich","https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749662465/Blog/Hero%20Images/GitLab_Duo_Workflow_Unified_Data_Store__1_.png","2024-08-26","Whether you are tasked with modernizing the code base or framework by switching to a new programming language, or you need knowledge about new language features in the same language, AI-powered [GitLab Duo](https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-duo-agent-platform/) can help. Learn how to approach code refactoring challenges with best practices using examples from the past 20 years of my coding career. \n\nThe prompts and examples in this article are shown in different IDEs: VS Code and JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and CLion) with the [GitLab Duo extensions/plugins](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/repository/code_suggestions/supported_extensions.html) installed. The development environment uses GitLab.com, including updates to Anthropic Claude 3.5 as Large Language Model (LLM) for GitLab Duo [Code Suggestions](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/gitlab_duo/#code-suggestions) and [Chat](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/gitlab_duo/#gitlab-duo-chat). Spoiler: They are even more powerful and efficient.\n\nYou can navigate into each section of the article, or read top-down. The source code and challenges with exercises are provided for self-learning, too.\n\n- [Refactor code to modern programming language standards](#refactor-code-to-modern-programming-language-standards)\n    - [Generate Java 7 and refactor to Java 8](#generate-java-7-and-refactor-to-java-8)\n    - [Refactor across C++ standards](#refactor-across-c%2B%2B-standards)\n        - [Migration: Refactor C++03 into C++14](#migration-refactor-c%2B%2B03-into-c%2B%2B14)\n        - [Downgrade: Refactor C++23 to C++11](#downgrade-refactor-c%2B%2B23-to-c%2B%2B11)\n    - [Explain and refactor COBOL](#explain-and-refactor-cobol)\n- [Refactor a language into another language](#refactor-a-language-into-another-language)\n    - [Refactor C to Rust](#refactor-c-to-rust)\n    - [Refactor Perl to Python](#refactor-perl-to-python)\n- [More refactoring hands-on](#more-refactoring-hands-on)\n    - [Refactor JavaScript](#refactor-javascript)\n    - [Refactor Bash to ZSH or SH](#refactor-bash-to-zsh-or-sh)\n    - [More use cases and tutorials](#more-use-cases-and-tutorials)\n- [Key takeaways](#key-takeaways)\n\n## Refactor code to modern programming language standards\n\nThe next sections show how to refactor, explain, and understand the language specific differences in a defined programming language. \n\n### Generate Java 7 and refactor to Java 8 \n\nA customer wanted to know if GitLab Duo supports Java 7. While testing the Code Suggestions and Chat prompts to generate Java 7 specific code, I also thought of migration help. Anthropic Claude 3.5 is capable of understanding the language-specific differences, and so is GitLab Duo.\n\nThe following example shows a prompt to generate Java 7 code with Code Suggestions.\n\n```java\n// Generate a new class for a File Manager. Use Java 7 features only.\nimport java.io.*;\nimport java.nio.file.*;\nimport java.util.*;\n\npublic class FileManager {\n    private Path rootDirectory;\n\n    public FileManager(String rootPath) throws IOException {\n        this.rootDirectory = Paths.get(rootPath);\n        if (!Files.exists(rootDirectory)) {\n            Files.createDirectories(rootDirectory);\n        }\n    }\n\n    public void createFile(String fileName, String content) throws IOException {\n        Path filePath = rootDirectory.resolve(fileName);\n        Files.write(filePath, content.getBytes(), StandardOpenOption.CREATE, StandardOpenOption.TRUNCATE_EXISTING);\n    }\n\n    public String readFile(String fileName) throws IOException {\n        Path filePath = rootDirectory.resolve(fileName);\n        return new String(Files.readAllBytes(filePath));\n    }\n\n    public void deleteFile(String fileName) throws IOException {\n        Path filePath = rootDirectory.resolve(fileName);\n        Files.delete(filePath);\n    }\n\n    public List\u003CString> listFiles() throws IOException {\n        List\u003CString> fileList = new ArrayList\u003C>();\n        try (DirectoryStream\u003CPath> stream = Files.newDirectoryStream(rootDirectory)) {\n            for (Path file : stream) {\n                fileList.add(file.getFileName().toString());\n            }\n        }\n        return fileList;\n    }\n\n    public void copyFile(String sourceFileName, String destinationFileName) throws IOException {\n        Path sourcePath = rootDirectory.resolve(sourceFileName);\n        Path destinationPath = rootDirectory.resolve(destinationFileName);\n        Files.copy(sourcePath, destinationPath, StandardCopyOption.REPLACE_EXISTING);\n    }\n\n    public void moveFile(String sourceFileName, String destinationFileName) throws IOException {\n        Path sourcePath = rootDirectory.resolve(sourceFileName);\n        Path destinationPath = rootDirectory.resolve(destinationFileName);\n        Files.move(sourcePath, destinationPath, StandardCopyOption.REPLACE_EXISTING);\n    }\n\n    public long getFileSize(String fileName) throws IOException {\n        Path filePath = rootDirectory.resolve(fileName);\n        return Files.size(filePath);\n    }\n\n    public boolean fileExists(String fileName) {\n        Path filePath = rootDirectory.resolve(fileName);\n        return Files.exists(filePath);\n    }\n}\n```\n\nYou can continue with the following steps in your IDE:\n\n1. Learn and understand the generated code: Select the code in the editor (blue color in the screenshot), switch into GitLab Duo Chat and send the `/explain` slash command as prompt.\n\n![Validate the generated code with the `/explain` slash command in GitLab Duo Chat](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/intellij_java7_generate_refactor.png)\n\n2. Refactor the Java 7 code into Java 8: Select the code in the editor, switch into Chat, and send `/refactor using Java 8 features` as refined prompt.\n3. Practice an alternative to refactoring: Create a new file `java8.java` and generate Java 8 specific code using Code Suggestions with the prompt `// Generate a new class for a File Manager. Use Java 8 features only.`.\n4. Continue writing Java 8 code in the same context with AI-powered code completions.\n\nYou can watch all steps in this recording.\n\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"video_container\">\n  \u003Ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XKRv6uBkD2I\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"> \u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/figure>\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\nThe source code is available in the [GitLab Duo Challenge - Generate and refactor Java 7 to 8 project](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-generate-refactor-java-7-to-8).\n\n### Refactor across C++ standards\n\nThe C++ standard has a long history and can be considered stable and mature. Depending on the target architecture and platforms, the supported standard depends on the compiler on the host operating system.\n\nIn my career, I needed to support 25 different Linux and Windows distributions in open source projects, and have seen varying compiler support for newer language features and C++ standards. In 2015, we settled on C++11 features, and later never touched based on C++14 or C++17. \n\nRefactoring functions and algorithms to a new C++ standard would have required too much effort, and help explaining the differences was needed. Back then, we researched through books, online search, Stack Overflow, and sometimes tools assistance for refactoring.\n\nThings have changed with AI-powered assistants and GitLab Duo: You can instruct Code Suggestions and Chat to provide source code in a specific C++ standard. Then, it is also possible to compare the different outputs. \n\nThe following example uses a prompt to specifically generate source code for the C++03 standard. It implements a simple config parser for the `.ini` configuration format.\n\n```c++\n/* Create a config parser which can parse an ini format\nUse C++03 standard only\n */\n\n#include \u003Ciostream>\n#include \u003Cfstream>\n#include \u003Cstring>\n#include \u003Cmap>\n#include \u003Csstream>\n\nclass ConfigParser {\nprivate:\n    std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::string> > config;\n\npublic:\n    ConfigParser() {}\n\n    bool parse(const std::string& filename) {\n        std::ifstream file(filename.c_str());\n        if (!file.is_open()) {\n            return false;\n        }\n\n        std::string line;\n        std::string currentSection;\n\n        while (std::getline(file, line)) {\n            // Trim whitespace\n            size_t first = line.find_first_not_of(\" \\t\");\n            size_t last = line.find_last_not_of(\" \\t\");\n            if (first == std::string::npos) continue; // Skip empty lines\n            line = line.substr(first, (last - first + 1));\n\n            if (line[0] == '[' && line[line.length() - 1] == ']') {\n                // This is a section\n                currentSection = line.substr(1, line.length() - 2);\n            } else {\n                // This is a key-value pair\n                size_t delimiterPos = line.find('=');\n                if (delimiterPos != std::string::npos) {\n                    std::string key = line.substr(0, delimiterPos);\n                    std::string value = line.substr(delimiterPos + 1);\n                    config[currentSection][key] = value;\n                }\n            }\n        }\n\n        file.close();\n        return true;\n    }\n\n    std::string getValue(const std::string& section, const std::string& key) const {\n        std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::string> >::const_iterator sectionIt = config.find(section);\n        if (sectionIt != config.end()) {\n            std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::string>::const_iterator keyIt = sectionIt->second.find(key);\n            if (keyIt != sectionIt->second.end()) {\n                return keyIt->second;\n            }\n        }\n        return \"\";\n    }\n\n    void printConfig() const {\n        std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::string> >::const_iterator sectionIt;\n        for (sectionIt = config.begin(); sectionIt != config.end(); ++sectionIt) {\n            std::cout \u003C\u003C \"[\" \u003C\u003C sectionIt->first \u003C\u003C \"]\" \u003C\u003C std::endl;\n            std::map\u003Cstd::string, std::string>::const_iterator keyIt;\n            for (keyIt = sectionIt->second.begin(); keyIt != sectionIt->second.end(); ++keyIt) {\n                std::cout \u003C\u003C keyIt->first \u003C\u003C \" = \" \u003C\u003C keyIt->second \u003C\u003C std::endl;\n            }\n            std::cout \u003C\u003C std::endl;\n        }\n    }\n};\n\nint main() {\n    ConfigParser parser;\n    if (parser.parse(\"config.ini\")) {\n        std::cout \u003C\u003C \"Config file parsed successfully.\" \u003C\u003C std::endl;\n        parser.printConfig();\n\n        std::cout \u003C\u003C \"Value of 'key1' in 'section1': \" \u003C\u003C parser.getValue(\"section1\", \"key1\") \u003C\u003C std::endl;\n    } else {\n        std::cout \u003C\u003C \"Failed to parse config file.\" \u003C\u003C std::endl;\n    }\n    return 0;\n}\n```\n\nThe same prompts can be applied to [explaining code](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/gitlab_duo_chat/examples.html#explain-code-in-the-ide), [generating tests](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/gitlab_duo_chat/examples.html#write-tests-in-the-ide), and even [refactoring code](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/gitlab_duo_chat/examples.html#refactor-code-in-the-ide): `/explain focus on C++03 features`, `/tests for C++03 features`, `/refactor into C++03`. \n\nThe following C++ standards have been tested working with GitLab Duo Code Suggestions:\n\n- C++03\n- C++11\n- C++14\n- C++17\n- C++20\n- C++23\n\nYou can find the source code in the [Challenge - Refactor Cpp Standards Config Parser project](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-cpp-standards-config-parser). \n\nThere are many different combinations to refactor source code between the C++ standards. The following examples reflect on modernizing the C++ code with version upgrades, but also test a downgrade where ambitious developers wanted to use C++20 but had to use C++11 to support enterprise customer environments.\n\n#### Migration: Refactor C++03 into C++14 \n\nThe goal is to modernize the code, and understand the changes between C++03 and C++14. Open the [03.cpp](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-cpp-standards-config-parser/-/blob/main/03.cpp?ref_type=heads) source code in the IDE, select it, and use the following Chat prompt: \n\n```markdown\n/refactor into C++14 and explain the changes\n```\n\nPotential Chat response: \n\n```markdown\n…\n\nExplanations of the changes:\n\n1. Default constructor: Changed `ConfigParser() {}` to `ConfigParser() = default;` to use the default constructor.\n2. File opening: Removed `.c_str()` when opening the file, as C++11 and later support `std::string` directly.\n3. Lambda functions: Introduced a lambda function trim to handle string trimming, making the code more readable and reusable.\n4. Auto keyword: Used `auto` for type deduction in various places, improving code readability.\n5. Range-based for loops: In the `printConfig` method, replaced traditional for loops with range-based for loops, which are more concise and less error-prone.\n6. Structured bindings: Used structured bindings in the range-based for loops to directly access key-value pairs.\n7. If statements with initializers: In the `getValue` method, used if statements with initializers to combine the find operation and the check in a single line.\n8. String member functions: Used `front()` and `back()` instead of array-style access for the first and last characters of strings.\n9. Uniform initialization: Used uniform initialization `{}` instead of parentheses `()` for object creation.\n10. Removed `std::endl`: Replaced `std::endl` with `'\\n'` for better performance, as `std::endl` forces a flush of the output buffer.\n\nThese changes make the code more modern, concise, and potentially more efficient while maintaining the same functionality.\n```\n\n![Changes reflected in code](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/duo_refactor_cpp_clion_chat_cpp03_to_14_01.png)\n\n![Changes reflected in code 2](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675060/Blog/Content%20Images/duo_refactor_cpp_clion_chat_cpp03_to_14_02.png)\n\n#### Downgrade: Refactor C++23 to C++11\n\nSometimes, developers started a new feature proof-of-concept in a modern C++ standard like C++20. The actual supported versions for enterprise customer environments require older compilers with C++11 support. Downgrading the versions come at a cost, and require evaluating which language features are still supported, and which other disadvantages could come across.\n\nOpen the [23.cpp](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-cpp-standards-config-parser/-/blob/main/23.cpp?ref_type=heads) source code in the IDE, select it, and use the following Chat prompt: \n\n```markdown\n/refactor into C++11, explain the necessary changes and potential problems\n```\n\nPotential Duo Chat response: \n\n```markdown\nThe main changes required to make this code compatible with C++11 are:\n\n1. Remove the C++23 standard comment, as it's no longer applicable.\n2. Replace `std::string::find_first_not_of` and `std::string::find_last_not_of` with C++11 compatible alternatives in the trim function.\n3. Use `const auto&` instead of `auto` for loop variables to avoid unnecessary copying.\n\nPotential problems in the original code:\n\n1. The original code used C++23 features, which might not be widely supported yet.\n2. The `trim` function used `std::string::find_first_not_of` and `std::string::find_last_not_of`, which are not available in C++11.\n3. The use of `auto` instead of `const auto&` in some loops could lead to unnecessary copying of complex objects.\n\nThese issues have been addressed in the refactored version. The `trim` function now uses `std::find_if_not` with lambda functions to achieve the same result in a C++11 compatible way. The use of `const auto&` ensures that no unnecessary copying occurs when iterating over the config map.\n```\n\n![The `trim` function now uses `std::find_if_not` with lambda functions to achieve the same result in a C++11 compatible way](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/duo_refactor_cpp_clion_chat_cpp23_to_11_01.png)\n\n![The use of `const auto&` ensures that no unnecessary copying occurs when iterating over the config map](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/duo_refactor_cpp_clion_chat_cpp23_to_11_02.png)\n\n**Async practice**: Test more version refactoring scenarios.\n\n### Explain and refactor COBOL\n\nYou can use GitLab Duo to explain the source code, analyze, fix and refactor for COBOL programs. I have never written nor learned COBOL, and found this helpful [COBOL Programming Course](https://github.com/openmainframeproject/cobol-programming-course) with many examples.\n\nI then asked Chat how to get started with COBOL, create a COBOL program, and compile a COBOL program on macOS.\n\n```markdown\nPlease explain what COBOL is and its syntax\n\nPlease create a COBOL program that shows the first steps\n\nTell me more about the COBOL compiler. Which system do I need? Can I do it on my macOS?\n```\n\n![Asking GitLab Duo Chat to explain and its syntax](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/vscode_chat_cobol_generate_example.png)\n\nOpen a COBOL program, select the source code, switch to Duo Chat and send the `/explain` prompt to explain purpose and functionality.\n\nYou can also refine the prompts to get more high-level summaries, for example:\n\n```markdown \n/explain like I am five\n```\n\n> Tip: Programming languages share similar algorithms and functionality. For COBOL, Chat offered to explain it using Python, and, therefore, I adjusted future prompts to ask for an explanation in Python.\n\n```markdown\n/explain in a different programming language\n```\n\nYou can also use the `/refactor` slash command prompt in Chat to improve the code quality, fix potential problems, and try to refactor COBOL into Python.\n\n```markdown\n/refactor fix the environment error\n\n/refactor fix potential problems\n\n/refactor into Python\n```\n\nThe [GitLab Duo Coffee Chat - Challenge: Explain and Refactor COBOL programs](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-explain-refactor-cobol-program) recording shows all discussed steps in a practical use case, including how to find a missing period: \n\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"video_container\">\n  \u003Ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/pwlDmLQMMPo\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"> \u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/figure>\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\n## Refactor a language into another language\n\nModernization and code quality improvements sometimes require the change of a programming language. Similar refactor prompts with GitLab Duo can help speed up the migration process. The COBOL example with Python is just one of many requirements in enterprise environments -- let's dive into more use cases.\n\n### Refactor C to Rust \n\nIn early 2024, several programming languages, like C, have been called out for not being memory safe. The recommendations for future projects include [memory safe languages](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/memory-safe-vs-unsafe/) like Rust. But how do you start a migration, and what are the challenges?\n\nLet's try it with a simple example in C. The code was generated using Code Suggestions and should print the basic operating system information, like the name, version, and platform. The C code compiles cross-platform on Windows, Linux, and macOS.\n\n```c\n// Read OS files to identify the platform, name, versions\n// Print them on the terminal\n#include \u003Cstdio.h>\n#include \u003Cstdlib.h>\n#include \u003Cstring.h>\n\n#ifdef _WIN32\n    #include \u003Cwindows.h>\n#elif __APPLE__\n    #include \u003Csys/utsname.h>\n#else\n    #include \u003Csys/utsname.h>\n#endif\n\nvoid get_os_info() {\n    #ifdef _WIN32\n        OSVERSIONINFOEX info;\n        ZeroMemory(&info, sizeof(OSVERSIONINFOEX));\n        info.dwOSVersionInfoSize = sizeof(OSVERSIONINFOEX);\n        GetVersionEx((OSVERSIONINFO*)&info);\n\n        printf(\"Platform: Windows\\n\");\n        printf(\"Version: %d.%d\\n\", info.dwMajorVersion, info.dwMinorVersion);\n        printf(\"Build: %d\\n\", info.dwBuildNumber);\n    #elif __APPLE__\n        struct utsname sys_info;\n        uname(&sys_info);\n\n        printf(\"Platform: macOS\\n\");\n        printf(\"Name: %s\\n\", sys_info.sysname);\n        printf(\"Version: %s\\n\", sys_info.release);\n    #else\n        struct utsname sys_info;\n        uname(&sys_info);\n\n        printf(\"Platform: %s\\n\", sys_info.sysname);\n        printf(\"Name: %s\\n\", sys_info.nodename);\n        printf(\"Version: %s\\n\", sys_info.release);\n    #endif\n}\n\nint main() {\n    get_os_info();\n    return 0;\n}\n```\n\nOpen the source code in [`os.c`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-c-to-rust/-/blob/897bf57a14bb7be07d842e7f044f93a61456d611/c/os.c) in JetBrains CLion, for example. Select the source code and use the Chat prompt `/explain` to explain purpose and functionality. Next, use `/refactor` in the Chat prompt to refactor the C code, and then take it one step further: `/refactor into Rust`. \n\nInitialize a new Rust project (Tip: Ask Duo Chat), and copy the generated source code into the `src/main.rs` file. Run `cargo build` to compile the code. \n\n![Initialize a new Rust project, and copy the generated source code into the `src/main.rs` file. Run `cargo build` to compile the code.](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/jetbrains_clion_c_rust.png)\n\nIn the [GitLab Duo Coffee Chat: Challenge - Refactor C into Rust](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-c-to-rust) recording, you can learn all steps, and additionally, you'll see a compilation error which gets fixed with the help of Chat and `/refactor` slash command. The session also shows how to improve the maintanability of the new Rust code by adding more error handling. \n\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"video_container\">\n  \u003Ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/nf8g2ucqvkI\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"> \u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/figure>\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\n### Refactor Perl to Python \n\nThat one script that runs on production servers, does its job, the author left the company ten years ago, and nobody wants to touch it. The problem might also apply to multiple scripts, or even a whole application. A decision was made to migrate everything to modern Python 3, with the goal to modernize the code, and understand the changes between Perl and Python.\n\nA customer recently asked in a GitLab Duo workshop whether a direct migration is possible using GitLab Duo. Short answer: Yes, it is. Longer answer: You can use refined Chat prompts to refactor Perl code into Python, similar to other examples in this article.\n\nOpen the `script.pl` source code in IDE, select it, and open Chat.\n\n```perl\n#!/usr/bin/perl\nuse strict;\nuse warnings;\n\nopen my $md_fh, '\u003C', 'file.md' or die \"Could not open file.md: $!\";\n\nmy $l = 0;\nmy $e = 0;\nmy $h = 0;\n\nwhile (my $line = \u003C$md_fh>) {\n  $l++;\n  if ($line =~ /^\\s*$/) {\n    $e++;\n    next;\n  }\n  if ($line =~ /^#+\\s*(.+)/) {\n    print \"$1\\n\";\n    $h++; \n  }\n}\n\nprint \"\\nS:\\n\"; \nprint \"L: $l\\n\";\nprint \"E: $e\\n\"; \nprint \"H: $h\\n\";\n```\n\nYou can use the following prompts to:\n\n1. `/explain` its purpose, and `/refactor` to improve the code.\n2. `/refactor into Python` to get a working Python script.\n\n![Refactor into Python](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/pycharm_duo_refactor_perl_python.png)\n\n> Tip: You can refactor Perl code into more target languages. The [GitLab Duo Coffee Chat: Challenge - Refactor Perl to Python](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-perl-python) recording shows PHP, Ruby, Rust, Go, Java, VB.NET, C#, and more.\n> \n> If you want to continue using Perl scripts, you can configure [Perl as additional language](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/repository/code_suggestions/supported_extensions.html#add-support-for-more-languages) in Duo Code Suggestions. Chat already understands Perl and can help with questions and slash command prompts, as you can see in the following recording.\n\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"video_container\">\n  \u003Ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/03HGhxXg9lw\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"> \u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/figure>\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\n## More Refactoring Hands-on \n\n### Refactor JavaScript \n\nEddie Jaoude shows how to refactor JavaScript to improve code quality or add functionality in a practical example. \n\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"video_container\">\n  \u003Ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/mHn8KOzpPNY\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"> \u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/figure>\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\n### Refactor Bash to ZSH or SH\n\nI have used Bash as a shell for 20 years and most recently switched to ZSH on macOS. This resulted in script not working, or unknown errors in my terminal. Another use case for refactoring are shell limitations – some operating systems or Linux/Unix distributions do not provide Bash, only SH, for example, Alpine.\n\n![Refactor shell scripts](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749675059/Blog/Content%20Images/intellj_refactor_shell_scripts.png)\n\nThe [GitLab Duo Coffee Chat: Challenge - Refactor Shell Scripts](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-da/use-cases/ai/ai-workflows/gitlab-duo-challenges/code-challenges/challenge-refactor-shell-scripts) shows an example with a C program that can tail syslog files, and a build script written in Bash. Throughout the challenge, Chat is queried with `/explain` and `/refactor` prompts to improve the code. It is also possible to refactor Bash into POSIX-compliant SH or ZSH. The session concludes with asking Chat to provide five different Shell script implementations, and explain the key summaries. \n\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\u003Cfigure class=\"video_container\">\n  \u003Ciframe src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/mssqYjlKGzU\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"> \u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/figure>\n\u003C!-- blank line -->\n\n### More use cases and tutorials\n\n- [Documentation: GitLab Duo use cases](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/gitlab_duo/use_cases.html)\n- [Tutorial: Top tips for efficient AI-powered code suggestions with GitLab Duo](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/top-tips-for-efficient-ai-powered-code-suggestions-with-gitlab-duo/)\n- [Tutorial: 10 best practices for using AI-powered GitLab Duo Chat](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/10-best-practices-for-using-ai-powered-gitlab-duo-chat/)\n\n## Key takeaways \n\n1. GitLab Duo provides efficient help with explaining and refactoring code. \n1. You can refactor code between language standards, and ask follow-up questions in Chat.\n1. Code Suggestions prompts can generate specific language standards, and code completion respects the current code context. \n1. Refactoring code into new programming languages helps with longer term migration and modernization plans.\n1. Code can be \"downgraded\" into older system's supported language standards.\n1. GitLab Duo can explain complex code and programming languages with different programming language examples.\n1. The update to Anthropic Claude 3.5 on GitLab.com has improved the quality and speed of Code Suggestions and Chat once again (self-managed upgrade to 17.3 recommended).\n1. 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and Vertex AI on Google Cloud: Advancing agentic software development","Learn how Google Cloud customers are standardizing on GitLab and Vertex AI for foundation models, enterprise controls, and Model Garden breadth.\n",[719,720],"Regnard Raquedan","Rajesh Agadi","GitLab Duo Agent Platform is helping redefine how organizations build, secure, and deliver software. Since its general availability in January 2026, the platform is bringing agentic AI to every phase of the software development lifecycle. Duo Agent Platform is an intelligent orchestration layer where software teams, and their specialized agents plan, code, review, and remediate security vulnerabilities together.\n\nThrough this exciting partnership, [GitLab Duo Agent Platform](https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-duo-agent-platform/) automates software development orchestration and lifecycle context via its integration with Vertex AI on Google Cloud, which powers the model tier for agent calls. Software teams keep working on issues, merge requests, pipelines, and security workflows while inference follows the Google Cloud posture they already defined. \n\nAdvances in Google Cloud’s Vertex AI models expand how Google Cloud customers can use GitLab Duo Agent Platform in their environment. Customers get an AI-powered DevSecOps control plane in GitLab, backed by a rapidly advancing AI infrastructure foundation in Vertex AI and Duo Agent Platform’s flexible deployment and integration options. The combination enables more capable, governed agentic workflows that operate at enterprise scale.\n\n![Conceptual illustration of the GitLab Duo Agent Platform integrated with Google Cloud's Vertex AI to power agentic software development and governed AI workflows](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1776165990/b7jlux9kydafncwy8spc.png)\n\n## Agents that work across the full lifecycle\n\nMany AI tools focus on a single task: generating code faster. GitLab Duo Agent Platform goes further. It orchestrates AI agents across the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), from planning through security review to delivery, across many teams with many projects and releases. At this scale, AI coding assistants are necessary for continuous innovation but not sufficient. \n\nSingle-purpose coding assistants rarely see the full state of a project. Backlog shape, open merge requests, failing jobs, and security findings live in GitLab, but a separate chat window in a coding assistant does not inherit that full picture of the SDLC. The gap shows up as manual handoffs, duplicate explanations to an AI that lacks context, and governance teams trying to map data flows across tools that were never designed as one system.\n\nGitLab Duo Agent Platform helps close that gap by running agents and flows on the same objects engineers use every day. Vertex AI then supplies the models and services those agents call when Google Cloud is your chosen inference home, with GitLab’s AI Gateway mediating access so administrators keep a clear map of what connects to what. For instance, GitLab Duo Planner Agent analyzes backlogs, breaks epics into structured tasks, and applies prioritization frameworks to help teams decide what to build next. Security Analyst Agent triages vulnerabilities, details risks in plain language, and recommends remediation in priority order. Built-in flows connect these agents into end-to-end processes, without requiring developers to manage every handoff manually.\n\nAgentic Chat in GitLab Duo Agent Platform ties the experience together for developers. They query in natural language to get context-aware responses with multi-step reasoning that draws on the full state of a project: its issues, merge requests, pipelines, security findings, and codebase. Because GitLab serves as the system of record for the SDLC with a unified data model, GitLab Duo agents operate with lifecycle context that falls outside the reach of standalone, tool-specific AI assistants.\n\n### Amplified by Vertex AI\n\nGitLab Duo Agent Platform is designed to be model-flexible, routing different capabilities to different models based on what performs best for a given task. That architectural choice pays off on Google Cloud, where Vertex AI acts as the managed environment for foundation models and related services, providing a broad model ecosystem and managed infrastructure that helps push the platform's capabilities further.\n\nThe latest generations of AI models available through Vertex AI bring significant improvements in reasoning, tool use, and long-context understanding compared to previous iterations — the same properties that GitLab's agents rely on across many projects and teams with large, complex codebases. Longer context windows and richer tool integration in the underlying models expand what agents can accomplish in a single pass, which is especially important for workloads like deep backlog analysis or monorepo security review.\n\n[Vertex AI Model Garden](https://cloud.google.com/model-garden), with access to a wide range of foundation models, gives customers the breadth to make these choices based on performance, cost, and regulatory requirements rather than vendor lock-in.\n\nMoreover, GitLab customers can use Bring Your Own Model (BYOM) for Duo Agent Platform so approved providers and gateways land where your security model expects them. GitLab’s [18.9 launch coverage of self-hosted Duo Agent Platform and BYOM](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/agentic-ai-enterprise-control-self-hosted-duo-agent-platform-and-byom/) describes how that wiring works. With this deployment option, customers gain access to a wider set of model options they can tailor to their software development process: the right model for the right workflow, with the right guardrails.\n\nFor GitLab, the decision to build on Vertex AI was driven by the need for enterprise-grade reliability and unparalleled model breadth. Vertex AI and Model Garden completely abstract the heavy lifting of LLM hosting — meaning rapid version delivery, robust security, and strict governance are seamlessly built into the integration. Beyond offering Gemini models, Vertex AI provides global, low-latency access to a vast catalog of third-party and open-source models. \n\nCombined with Google Cloud's industry-leading approach to data privacy and model protection, Vertex AI emerged as the clear choice to power GitLab's next-generation developer experience. \n\nBy integrating Vertex AI Model Garden into its backend, GitLab supercharges its DevSecOps platform without passing any complexity on to users. Development teams are not burdened with evaluating or managing underlying LLMs; instead, they experience a streamlined, AI-assisted workflow for building their applications. \n\nGitLab completely abstracts cloud orchestration, enabling developers to focus entirely on writing great code, while Vertex AI powers the features and functionality that assist them.\n\n## What this means for customers on Google Cloud\n\nGitLab Duo Agent Platform already delivers AI agents that operate across the full software lifecycle within a single, governed system of record. On Google Cloud, it enables rapid innovation as Vertex AI continues to advance the model and infrastructure layers. \n\nFor Google Cloud customers, this integration means streamlined software delivery while maintaining strict enterprise governance. For platform engineering groups, it means normalizing which Vertex-backed models power suggestions, analysis, and remediation inside GitLab instead of cataloging dozens of client-side tools. Security programs benefit when agents propose and validate fixes in the same place developers already triage findings, cutting context switching and reducing work that would otherwise spill into unmanaged channels.\n\nFrom a cloud economics and policy angle, drawing agent inference toward Vertex from within GitLab keeps usage nearer to the agreements and controls you already run on Google Cloud, which helps avoid duplicate spend and shadow paths that bypass procurement.\n\nBecause Vertex AI is an underlying infrastructure provider for GitLab Duo Agent Platform, organizations are enabled to dramatically lift developer productivity without the overhead and risk of managing fragmented AI toolchains. Teams stay aligned within a single, secure system of record, helping them build applications faster and ship with confidence.\n\nThe GitLab and Google Cloud collaboration has been building since 2018. Today, it represents one of the most comprehensive paths for organizations moving from AI experiments to fully governed, agentic software development on Google Cloud. As both platforms continue to advance — GitLab expanding its agent orchestration and developer context, and Vertex AI pushing the boundaries of model capability and agent infrastructure — the value for joint customers will continue to grow.\n\n> [Start a free trial of GitLab Duo Agent Platform](https://about.gitlab.com/free-trial/) to experience the power of GitLab and Vertex AI on Google Cloud.","https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1749663121/Blog/Hero%20Images/LogoLockupPlusLight.png","2026-04-14",[23,276,725,726,727],"google","news","product",{"featured":28,"template":13,"slug":729},"gitlab-and-vertex-ai-on-google-cloud",{"content":731,"config":740},{"heroImage":732,"title":733,"description":734,"authors":735,"date":737,"category":9,"tags":738,"body":739},"https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643639/sapu29gmlgtwvhggmj6k.png","Extend GitLab Duo Agent Platform: Connect any tool with MCP","Learn how to connect external tools to GitLab Duo Agent Platform using MCP. Step-by-step setup with three practical workflow demos.",[736],"Albert Rabassa","2026-03-05",[9,727,24],"Managing software development often means juggling multiple tools: tracking issues in Jira, writing code in your IDE, and collaborating through GitLab. Context switching between these platforms disrupts focus and slows down delivery.\n\nWith GitLab Duo Agent Platform's [MCP](https://about.gitlab.com/topics/ai/model-context-protocol/) support, you can now connect Jira or any tool that supports MCP directly to your AI-powered development environment. Query issues, update tickets, and sync your workflow — all through natural language, without ever leaving your IDE.\n\n## What you'll learn\n\nIn this tutorial, we'll walk you through:\n\n* **Setting up the Jira/Atlassian OAuth application** for secure authentication\n* **Configuring GitLab Duo Agent Platform** as an MCP client\n* **Three practical use cases** demonstrating real-world workflows\n\n## Prerequisites\n\nBefore getting started, ensure you have the following:\n\n| Requirement | Details |\n| ---- | ----- |\n| **GitLab instance** | GitLab 18.8+ with Duo Agent Platform enabled |\n| **Jira account** | Jira Cloud instance with admin access to create OAuth applications |\n| **IDE** | Visual Studio Code with GitLab Workflow extension installed |\n| **MCP support** | MCP support enabled in GitLab |\n\n\n## Understanding the architecture\n\nGitLab Duo Agent Platform acts as an **MCP client**, connecting to the Atlassian MCP server to access your Jira project management data. Atlassian  MCP server handles authentication, translates natural language requests into API calls, and returns structured data back to GitLab Duo Agent Platform — all while maintaining security and audit controls.\n\n## Part 1: Configure Jira OAuth application\n\nTo securely connect GitLab Duo Agent Platform to your Jira instance, you'll need to create an OAuth 2.0 application in the Atlassian Developer Console. This grants to GitLab the MCP server authorized access to your Jira data.\n\n### Setup steps\n\nIf you prefer to configure manually, follow these steps:\n\n1. **Navigate to the Atlassian Developer Console**\n\n   * Go to [developer.atlassian.com/console/myapps](https://developer.atlassian.com/console/myapps)\n\n   * Sign in with your Atlassian account\n\n2. **Create a new OAuth 2.0 app**\n\n   * Click **Create** → **OAuth 2.0 integration**\n\n   * Enter a name (e.g., \"gitlab-dap-mcp\")\n\n   * Accept the terms and click **Create**\n\n3. **Configure permissions**\n\n   * Navigate to **Permissions** in the left sidebar.\n\n   * Add **Jira API** and configure the following scopes:\n\n     * `read:jira-work` — Read issues, projects, and boards\n\n     * `write:jira-work` — Create and update issues\n\n     * `read:jira-user` — Read user information\n\n4. **Set up authorization**\n\n   * Go to **Authorization** in the left sidebar\n\n   * Add a callback URL for your environment (`https://gitlab.com/oauth/callback`)\n\n   * Save your changes\n\n5. **Retrieve credentials**\n\n   * Navigate to **Settings**\n\n   * Copy your **Client ID** and **Client Secret**\n\n   * Store these securely — you'll need them for the MCP configuration\n\n\n### Interactive walkthrough: Jira OAuth setup\n\nClick on the image below to get started.\n\n\n[![Jira OAuth setup tour](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772644850/wnzfoq43nkkfmgdqldmr.png)](https://gitlab.navattic.com/jira-oauth-setup)\n\n\n## Part 2: Configure GitLab Duo Agent Platform MCP client\n\nWith your OAuth credentials ready, you can now configure GitLab Duo Agent Platform to connect to the Atlassian MCP server.\n\n### Create your MCP configuration file\n\nCreate the MCP configuration file in your GitLab project at `.gitlab/duo/mcp.json`:\n\n\n```json\n{\n  \"mcpServers\": {\n    \"atlassian\": {\n      \"type\": \"http\",\n      \"url\": \"https://mcp.atlassian.com/v1/mcp\",\n      \"auth\": {\n        \"type\": \"oauth2\",\n        \"clientId\": \"YOUR_CLIENT_ID\",\n        \"clientSecret\": \"YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET\",\n        \"authorizationUrl\": \"https://auth.atlassian.com/oauth/authorize\",\n        \"tokenUrl\": \"https://auth.atlassian.com/oauth/token\"\n      },\n      \"approvedTools\": true\n    }\n  }\n}\n```\n\nReplace `YOUR_CLIENT_ID` and `YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET` with the credentials you generated in Part 1.\n\n### Enable MCP in GitLab\n\n1. Navigate to your **Group Settings** → **GitLab Duo** → **Configuration**\n2. Make sure “Allow external MCP tools” is checked\n\n### Verify the connection\n\nOpen your project in VS Code and ask in GitLab Duo Agent Platform chat:\n\n```text\nWhat MCP tools do you have access to?\n```\n\nThen\n\n```text\nTest the MCP JIRA configuration in this project\n```\n\nAt this point you'll be redirected from the IDE to the MCP Atlassian website to approve access:\n\n![Redirect to MCP Atlassian website](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643461/z5acqjgguh0damnnde9g.png \"Redirect to MCP Atlassian website\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n![Approve access](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643461/rwowamm8nsubhpixtn3i.png \"Approve access\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n![Select your JIRA instance and approve](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643461/chuzqd0jeptfwvoj7wjr.png \"Select your JIRA instance and approve\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n![Success!](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643462/bsgti5iste2bzck19o5y.png \"Success!\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n### Verify with the MCP Dashboard\n\nGitLab also provides a built-in **MCP Dashboard** directly in your IDE for this.\n\nIn VS Code or VSCodium, open the Command Palette (`Cmd+Shift+P` on macOS, `Ctrl+Shift+P` on Windows/Linux) and search for **\"GitLab: Show MCP Dashboard\"**. The dashboard opens in a new editor tab and gives you:\n\n* **Connection status** for each configured MCP server\n* **Available tools** exposed by the server (e.g., `jira_get_issue`, `jira_create_issue`)\n* **Server logs** so you can see exactly which tools are being called in real time\n\n![MCP servers dashboard and status](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643462/mmvdfchucacsydivowvn.png \"MCP servers dashboard and status\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n![Server details and permissions](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643462/tcocgdvovp2dl42pvfn8.png \"Server details and permissions\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n\n![MCP Server logs](https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772643466/mougvqqk1bozchaufsci.png \"MCP Server logs\")\n\n\u003Cbr>\u003C/br>\n\n### Interactive walkthrough: Testing MCP\n\n\u003Ciframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/1170005495?badge=0&autopause=0& player_id=0&app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;\" title=\"Testing MCP\">\u003C/iframe>\u003Cscript src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js\">\u003C/script>\n\n## Part 3: Use cases in action\n\nNow that your integration is configured, let's explore three practical workflows that demonstrate the power of connecting Jira to GitLab Duo Agent Platform.\n\n### Planning assistant\n\n**Scenario:** You're preparing for sprint planning and need to quickly assess the backlog, understand priorities, and identify blockers.\n\nThis demo shows you how to:\n\n* Query the backlog\n* Identify unassigned high-priority issues\n* Get AI-powered sprint recommendations\n\n#### Example prompts\n\nTry these prompts in GitLab Duo Agent Platform Chat:\n\n```text\nList all the unassigned issues in JIRA for project GITLAB\n```\n\n```text\nSuggest the two top issues to prioritize and summarize them. Assign them to me.\n```\n\n### Interactive walkthrough: Project planning\n\n\u003Ciframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/1170005462?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;\" title=\"Project Planning\">\u003C/iframe>\u003Cscript src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/api/player. js\">\u003C/script>\n\n### Issue triage and creation from code\n\n**Scenario:** While reviewing code, you discover a bug and want to create a Jira issue with relevant context — without leaving your IDE.\n\nThis demo walks you through:\n\n* Identifying a bug while coding\n* Creating a detailed Jira issue via natural language\n* Auto-populating issue fields with code context\n* Linking the issue to your current branch\n\n#### Example prompts\n\n```text\nSearch in JIRA for a bug related to: Null pointer exception in PaymentService.processRefund().\nIf it does not exist create it with all the context needed from the code. Find possible blockers that this bug may cause.\n```\n\n```text\nCreate a new branch called issue-gitlab-18, checkout, and link it to the issue we just created. Assign the JIRA issue to me and mark it as in-progress.\n```\n\n### Interactive walkthrough: Bug review and task automation\n\n\u003Ciframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/1170005368?badge=0&autopause=0& player_id=0&app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;\" title=\"Bug Review\">\u003C/iframe>\u003Cscript src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js\">\u003C/script>\n\n### Cross-system incident investigation\n\n**Scenario:** A production incident occurs, and you need to correlate information from Jira (incident ticket), GitLab Project Management, your codebase, and merge requests to identify the root cause.\n\nThis demo demonstrates:\n\n* Fetching incident details from Jira\n* Correlating with recent merge requests in GitLab\n* Identifying potentially related code changes\n* Generating an incident timeline\n* Design a remediation plan and create it as a work item in GitLab\n\n#### Example prompts\n\n```text\n\"We have a production incident INC-1 about checkout failures. Can you help me investigate with all available context?\"\n```\n\n```text\nCreate a timeline of events for incident INC-1 including related Jira issues and recent deployments\n```\n\n```text\nPropose a remediation plan\n```\n\n### Interactive walkthrough: Cross-system troubleshooting and remediation\n\n\u003Ciframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/1170005413?badge=0&autopause=0& player_id=0&app_id=58479\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;\" title=\"Cross System Investigation\">\u003C/iframe>\u003Cscript src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js\">\u003C/script>\n\n## Troubleshooting\n\nThese are some common setup issues and quick fixes:\n\n| Issue | Solution |\n| ----- | ----- |\n| \"MCP server not found\" | Verify the `mcp.json` file is in the correct location and properly formatted |\n| \"Authentication failed\" | Re-check your OAuth credentials and ensure scopes are correctly configured in Atlassian |\n| \"No Jira tools available\" | Restart VS Code after updating `mcp.json` and ensure MCP is enabled in GitLab |\n| \"Connection timeout\" | Check your network connectivity to `mcp.atlassian.com` |\n\n\u003Cbr/> For detailed troubleshooting, see the [GitLab MCP clients documentation](https://docs.gitlab.com/user/gitlab_duo/model_context_protocol/mcp_clients/).\n\n\n## Security considerations\n\nWhen integrating Jira with GitLab Duo Agent Platform:\n\n* **OAuth tokens** — Make sure credentials remain secure\n* **Principle of least privilege** — Only grant the minimum required Jira scopes\n* **Token rotation** — Regularly rotate your OAuth credentials as part of security hygiene\n\n\n## Summary\n\nConnecting GitLab Duo Agent Platform to different tools through MCP transforms how you interact with your development lifecycle. In this article, you have learned how to:\n\n* **Query issues naturally** — Ask questions about your backlog, sprints, and incidents in natural language.\n* **Create and update issues on all your DevSecOps environment** — File bugs and update tickets without leaving your IDE.\n* **Correlate across systems** — Combine Jira data with GitLab project management, merge requests, and pipelines for complete visibility.\n* **Reduce context switching** — Keep your focus on code while staying connected to project management.\n\nThis integration exemplifies the power of MCP: standardized, secure access to your tools through AI, enabling developers to work more efficiently without sacrificing governance or security.\n\n\n## Read more\n\n* [GitLab Duo Agent Platform adds support for Model Context Protocol](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/duo-agent-platform-with-mcp/)\n\n* [What is Model Context Protocol?](https://about.gitlab.com/topics/ai/model-context-protocol/)\n\n* [Agentic AI guides and resources](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/agentic-ai-guides-and-resources/)\n\n* [GitLab MCP clients documentation](https://docs.gitlab.com/user/gitlab_duo/model_context_protocol/mcp_clients/)\n\n* [Get started with GitLab Duo Agent Platform: The complete guide](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/gitlab-duo-agent-platform-complete-getting-started-guide/)",{"featured":12,"template":13,"slug":741},"extend-gitlab-duo-agent-platform-connect-any-tool-with-mcp",{"content":743,"config":753},{"title":744,"description":745,"authors":746,"heroImage":748,"date":749,"body":750,"category":9,"tags":751},"10 AI prompts to speed your team’s software delivery","Eliminate review backlogs, security delays, and coordination overhead with ready-to-use AI prompts covering every stage of the software lifecycle.",[747],"Chandler Gibbons","https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772632341/duj8vaznbhtyxxhodb17.png","2026-03-04","AI-assisted coding tools are helping developers generate code faster than ever. So why aren’t teams _shipping_ faster?\n\nBecause coding is only 20% of the software delivery lifecycle, the remaining 80% becomes the bottleneck: code review backlogs grow, security scanning can’t keep pace, documentation falls behind, and manual coordination overhead increases.\n\nThe good news is that the same AI capabilities that accelerate individual coding can eliminate these team-level delays. You just need to apply AI across your entire software lifecycle, not only during the coding phase.\n\nBelow are 10 ready-to-use prompts from the [GitLab Duo Agent Platform Prompt Library](https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-duo/prompt-library/) that help teams overcome common obstacles to faster software delivery. Each prompt addresses a specific slowdown that emerges when individual productivity increases without corresponding improvements in team processes.\n\n## How do you move code review from bottleneck to accelerator?\nDevelopers generate merge requests faster with AI assistance, but human reviewers can quickly become overwhelmed as code review cycles stretch from hours to days. AI can handle routine review tasks, freeing reviewers to focus on architecture and business logic instead of catching basic logical errors and API contract violations.\n\n### Review MR for logical errors\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Code Review\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n\n```text\nReview this MR for logical errors, edge cases, and potential bugs: [MR URL or paste code]\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Automated linters catch syntax issues, but logical errors require understanding intent. This prompt catches bugs before human reviewers even look at the code, reducing review cycles from multiple rounds to often just one approval.\n\n### Identify breaking changes in MR\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Code Review\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n\n```text\nDoes this MR introduce any breaking changes?\n\nChanges:\n[PASTE CODE DIFF]\n\nCheck for:\n1. API signature changes\n2. Removed or renamed public methods\n3. Changed return types\n4. Modified database schemas\n5. Breaking configuration changes\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Breaking changes discovered during deployment can cause rollbacks and incidents. This prompt shifts that discovery left to the MR stage, when fixes are faster and less expensive.\n\n## How can you shift security left without slowing down?\nSecurity scans generate hundreds of findings. Security teams manually triage each one while developers wait for approval to deploy. Most findings are false positives or low-risk issues, but identifying the real threats requires expertise and time. AI can prioritize findings by actual exploitability and auto-remediate common vulnerabilities, allowing security teams to focus on the threats that matter.\n\n### Analyze security scan results\n**Complexity**: Intermediate\n\n**Category**: Security\n\n**Agent**: Duo Security Analyst\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n\n```text\n@security_analyst Analyze these security scan results:\n\n[PASTE SCAN OUTPUT]\n\nFor each finding:\n1. Assess real risk vs false positive\n2. Explain the vulnerability\n3. Suggest remediation\n4. Prioritize by severity\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Most security scan findings are false positives or low-risk issues. This prompt helps security teams focus on the findings that actually matter, reducing remediation time from weeks to days.\n\n### Review code for security issues\n**Complexity**: Intermediate\n\n**Category**: Security\n\n**Agent**: Duo Security Analyst\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\n@security_analyst Review this code for security issues:\n\n[PASTE CODE]\n\nCheck for:\n1. Injection vulnerabilities\n2. Authentication/authorization flaws\n3. Data exposure risks\n4. Insecure dependencies\n5. Cryptographic issues\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Traditional security reviews happen after code is written. This prompt enables developers to find and fix security issues before creating an MR, eliminating the back and forth that delays deployments.\n\n## How do you keep documentation current as code changes?\nCode changes faster than documentation. Onboarding new developers takes weeks because docs are outdated or missing. Teams know documentation is important, but it always gets deferred when deadlines approach. Automating documentation generation and updates as part of your standard workflow ensures docs stay current without adding manual work.\n\n### Generate release notes from MRs\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Documentation\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\nGenerate release notes for these merged MRs:\n[LIST MR URLs or paste titles]\n\nGroup by:\n1. New features\n2. Bug fixes\n3. Performance improvements\n4. Breaking changes\n5. Deprecations\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Manual release note compilation takes hours and often includes errors or omissions. Automated generation ensures every release has comprehensive notes without adding work to your release process.\n\n### Update documentation after code changes\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Documentation\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\nI changed this code:\n\n[PASTE CODE CHANGES]\n\nWhat documentation needs updating? Check:\n1. README files\n2. API documentation\n3. Architecture diagrams\n4. Onboarding guides\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Documentation drift happens because teams forget which docs need updates after code changes. This prompt makes documentation maintenance part of your development workflow, not a separate task that gets deferred.\n\n## How do you break down planning complexity?\nLarge features get stuck in planning. Teams spend weeks in meetings trying to scope work and identify dependencies. The complexity feels overwhelming, and it's hard to know where to start. AI can systematically decompose complex work into concrete, implementable tasks with clear dependencies and acceptance criteria, transforming weeks of planning into focused implementation.\n\n### Break down epic into issues\n**Complexity**: Intermediate\n\n**Category**: Documentation\n\n**Agent**: Duo Planner\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\nBreak down this epic into implementable issues:\n\n[EPIC DESCRIPTION]\n\nConsider:\n1. Technical dependencies\n2. Reasonable issue sizes\n3. Clear acceptance criteria\n4. Logical implementation order\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: This prompt transforms a week of planning meetings into 30 minutes of AI-assisted decomposition followed by team review. Teams start implementation sooner with clearer direction.\n\n## How can you expand test coverage without expanding effort?\nDevelopers are writing code faster, but if testing doesn't keep pace, test coverage decreases and bugs slip through. Writing comprehensive tests manually is time-consuming, and developers often miss edge cases under deadline pressure. Generating tests automatically means developers can review and refine rather than write from scratch, maintaining quality without sacrificing velocity.\n\n### Generate unit tests\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Testing\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\nGenerate unit tests for this function:\n\n[PASTE FUNCTION]\n\nInclude tests for:\n1. Happy path\n2. Edge cases\n3. Error conditions\n4. Boundary values\n5. Invalid inputs\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: Writing tests manually is time consuming, and developers often miss edge cases. This prompt generates thorough test suites in seconds, which developers can review and adjust rather than write from scratch.\n\n### Review test coverage gaps\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Testing\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\nAnalyze test coverage for [MODULE/COMPONENT]:\n\nCurrent coverage: [PERCENTAGE]\n\nIdentify:\n1. Untested functions/methods\n2. Uncovered edge cases\n3. Missing error scenario tests\n4. Integration points without tests\n5. Priority areas to test next\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: This prompt reveals blind spots in your test suite before they cause production incidents. Teams can systematically improve coverage where it matters most.\n\n## How do you reduce mean time to resolution when debugging?\nProduction incidents take hours to diagnose. Developers wade through logs and stack traces while customers experience downtime. Every minute of debugging is a minute of lost productivity and potential revenue. AI can accelerate root cause analysis by parsing complex error messages and suggesting specific fixes, cutting diagnostic time from hours to minutes.\n\n### Debug failing pipeline\n**Complexity**: Beginner\n\n**Category**: Debugging\n\n**Prompt from library**:\n\n```text\nThis pipeline is failing:\n\nJob: [JOB NAME]\nStage: [STAGE]\nError: [PASTE ERROR MESSAGE/LOG]\n\nHelp me:\n1. Identify the root cause\n2. Suggest a fix\n3. Explain why it started failing\n4. Prevent similar issues\n```\n\n**Why it helps**: CI/CD failures block entire teams. This prompt diagnoses failures in seconds instead of the 15-30 minutes developers typically spend investigating, keeping deployment velocity high.\n\n## Moving from individual gains to team acceleration\nThese prompts represent a shift in how teams apply AI to software delivery. Rather than focusing solely on individual developer productivity, they address the coordination, quality, and knowledge-sharing challenges that actually constrain team velocity.\n\nThe [complete prompt library](https://about.gitlab.com/gitlab-duo/prompt-library/) contains more than 100 prompts across all stages of the software lifecycle: planning, development, security, testing, deployment, and operations. Each prompt is tagged by complexity level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) and categorized by use case, making it easy to find the right starting point for your team.\n\nStart with prompts tagged “Beginner” that address your team’s most pressing obstacles. As your team builds confidence, explore intermediate and advanced prompts that enable more sophisticated workflows. The goal is not just faster coding — it's faster, safer, higher-quality software delivery from planning through production.",[23,752],"DevOps platform",{"featured":12,"template":13,"slug":754},"10-ai-prompts-to-speed-your-teams-software-delivery",{"promotions":756},[757,770,781],{"id":758,"categories":759,"header":760,"text":761,"button":762,"image":767},"ai-modernization",[9],"Is AI achieving its promise at scale?","Quiz will take 5 minutes or less",{"text":763,"config":764},"Get your AI maturity score",{"href":765,"dataGaName":766,"dataGaLocation":243},"/assessments/ai-modernization-assessment/","modernization assessment",{"config":768},{"src":769},"https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772138786/qix0m7kwnd8x2fh1zq49.png",{"id":771,"categories":772,"header":773,"text":761,"button":774,"image":778},"devops-modernization",[727,37],"Are you just managing tools or shipping innovation?",{"text":775,"config":776},"Get your DevOps maturity score",{"href":777,"dataGaName":766,"dataGaLocation":243},"/assessments/devops-modernization-assessment/",{"config":779},{"src":780},"https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772138785/eg818fmakweyuznttgid.png",{"id":782,"categories":783,"header":785,"text":761,"button":786,"image":790},"security-modernization",[784],"security","Are you trading speed for security?",{"text":787,"config":788},"Get your security maturity score",{"href":789,"dataGaName":766,"dataGaLocation":243},"/assessments/security-modernization-assessment/",{"config":791},{"src":792},"https://res.cloudinary.com/about-gitlab-com/image/upload/v1772138786/p4pbqd9nnjejg5ds6mdk.png",{"header":794,"blurb":795,"button":796,"secondaryButton":801},"Start building faster today","See what your team can do with the intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps.\n",{"text":797,"config":798},"Get your free trial",{"href":799,"dataGaName":50,"dataGaLocation":800},"https://gitlab.com/-/trial_registrations/new?glm_content=default-saas-trial&glm_source=about.gitlab.com/","feature",{"text":505,"config":802},{"href":54,"dataGaName":55,"dataGaLocation":800},1776432766182]