gitlab-ce/doc/user/gitlab_duo/choose_path.md

stage	group	info	description	title
AI-powered	AI Framework	To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments	Learn how to use GitLab Duo AI-native features to enhance your software development lifecycle.	GitLab Duo: Choose your path

GitLab Duo is a suite of AI-native features that assist you while you work in GitLab.

Select the path that best matches what you want to do:

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{{< tab title="Get started" >}}

Perfect for: New users exploring GitLab Duo

Follow this path to learn how to:

• Use the variety of GitLab Duo features
• Get help from AI through GitLab Duo Chat
• Generate and improve code

Start here: GitLab Duo →

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{{< tab title="Enhance my coding" >}}

Perfect for: Developers looking to boost productivity

Follow this path to learn how to:

• Use Code Suggestions in your IDE
• Generate, understand, and refactor code
• Create tests automatically

Start here: Code Suggestions →

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{{< tab title="Improve code reviews" >}}

Perfect for: Reviewers and team leads

Follow this path to learn how to:

• Generate merge request descriptions
• Get AI-native code reviews
• Summarize review comments and generate commit messages

Start here: GitLab Duo in merge requests →

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{{< tab title="Secure my application" >}}

Perfect for: Security and DevSecOps professionals

Follow this path to learn how to:

• Understand vulnerabilities
• Automatically generate fix suggestions
• Create merge requests to address security issues

Start here: Vulnerability explanation and resolution →

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Quick start

Want to start using GitLab Duo right now? Here's how:

1. Open GitLab Duo Chat by selecting GitLab Duo Chat in the upper-right corner of the GitLab UI, or in your IDE.

2. Ask a question about your project, code, or how to use GitLab.

3. Try one of the AI-native features like Code Suggestions in your IDE, or use Chat:

   • In the UI to summarize a bulky issue.
   • In the IDE to refactor some existing code.

View all of the GitLab Duo possibilities →

Common tasks

Need to do something specific? Here are some common tasks:

Task	Description	Quick Guide
Get AI assistance	Ask GitLab Duo questions about code, projects, or GitLab	GitLab Duo Chat →
Generate code	Get code suggestions as you type in your IDE	Code Suggestions →
Understand code	Have code explained in plain language	Code Explanation →
Fix CI/CD issues	Analyze and fix failed jobs	Root Cause Analysis →
Summarize changes	Generate descriptions for merge requests	Merge Request Summary →

How GitLab Duo integrates with your workflow

GitLab Duo is integrated with your development processes and is available:

• In the GitLab UI
• Through GitLab Duo Chat
• In IDE extensions
• In the CLI

Experience levels

For beginners

If you're new to GitLab Duo, start with these features:

• GitLab Duo Chat - Ask questions about GitLab and get help with basic tasks
• Code Suggestions - Get AI-native code completion in your IDE
• Code Explanation - Understand code in files or merge requests
• Merge Request Summary - Generate descriptions for your changes automatically

For intermediate users

After you're comfortable with the basics, try these more advanced features:

• Test Generation - Create tests for your code automatically
• Root Cause Analysis - Troubleshoot failed CI/CD jobs

For advanced users

When you're ready to maximize your productivity with GitLab Duo:

• GitLab Duo Self-Hosted - Host LLMs on your own infrastructure
• GitLab Duo Agent Platform - Automate tasks in your development workflow
• Vulnerability Resolution - Automatically generate merge requests to fix security issues

Best practices

Follow these tips for effective GitLab Duo usage:

1. Be specific in your prompts

   • Provide clear context for better results
   • Include relevant details about your code and objectives
   • Use code task commands like /explain, /refactor, and /tests in Chat

2. Improve code responsibly

   • Always review AI-generated code before using it
   • Test generated code to ensure it works as expected
   • Use vulnerability resolution with appropriate review

3. Refine iteratively

   • If a response isn't helpful, refine your question
   • Try breaking complex requests into smaller parts
   • Add more details for better context

4. Leverage Chat for learning

   • Ask about GitLab features you're not familiar with
   • Get explanations for error messages and problems
   • Learn best practices for your specific technology

Next steps

Ready to dive deeper? Try these resources:

• GitLab Duo use cases - Practical examples and exercises
• Set up GitLab Duo Self-Hosted - For complete control over your data

Troubleshooting

Having issues? Check these common solutions:

• GitLab Duo features don't work on self-managed
• GitLab Duo features not available for users
• Run a health check to diagnose your GitLab Duo setup

Need more help? Search the GitLab documentation or ask the GitLab community.