gitlab-runner

GitLab Runner is an open-source command line tool developed by GitLab. It allows you to run jobs and perform continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tasks directly on your local machine or on remote servers.

GitLab Runner works by registering a Runner instance with your GitLab instance, allowing it to execute actions defined in your project's .gitlab-ci.yml file. This file specifies the steps to be run for each job, such as building and testing code, deploying to servers, and more.

Features of GitLab Runner include:

1. Concurrency: It can handle multiple jobs concurrently, allowing for faster pipelines.
2. Scalability: GitLab Runner supports distributed execution on multiple machines, enabling faster job execution.
3. Versatility: It supports various executors, including Docker, Kubernetes, virtual machines, and custom shells. This flexibility allows you to run jobs in different environments.
4. Executor Registration: The Runner can automatically register itself with the GitLab instance, simplifying the setup process.
5. Secure Communication: GitLab Runner uses TLS encryption to securely communicate with GitLab, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.

Overall, GitLab Runner is a crucial component of GitLab's CI/CD pipeline, enabling developers to automate build, test, and deployment processes, and ultimately, deliver software more efficiently and reliably.