GitLab 16.3 released with enhanced velocity metrics, upgraded runners, and SSH workspace connections

GitLab, the widely used DevSecOps platform, has rolled out its version 16.3. The update brings a series of new features and improvements, including enhanced velocity metrics in the Value Streams Dashboard, upgraded GitLab SaaS runners on Linux, additional filtering for scan result policies, and workspace connections with SSH.

In the Value Streams Dashboard, the update introduces new metrics: Merge request (MR) throughput and Total closed issues (Velocity). The MR throughput metric quantifies the number of merge requests merged each month, while Total closed issues tracks the number of flow items closed at a specific time. These metrics provide insights into productivity levels and the effectiveness of merge request and code review procedures.

The 16.3 version also offers the ability to securely connect to a workspace from the desktop using SSH. This allows users to utilize their local tools and extensions. The initial iteration supports SSH connections directly in VS Code or from the command line with editors like Vim or Emacs. Future iterations are set to extend this support to other editors, such as JetBrains IDEs and JupyterLab.

Moreover, GitLab 16.3 includes a variety of other enhancements, performance and usability improvements, and bug fixes, contributing to a more efficient and user-friendly platform. The Flux sync status visualization is another notable addition in this release.