GitLab 17.4: Improved context in GitLab Duo, auto-merge, and new extensions marketplace

With the release of version 17.4, GitLab introduces key updates, including enhanced context-aware Code Suggestions in GitLab Duo, which leverage open tabs for more relevant coding recommendations. The update also brings auto-merge for all checks in merge requests, streamlining the merging process once all required checks are passed.

A new extension marketplace in the Web IDE allows users to discover, install, and manage third-party extensions, accessible via the Integrations section of user preferences. Additionally, Kubernetes resource-specific events can now be viewed directly in the UI, aiding in deployment debugging without needing third-party tools. GitLab Pages setup has been simplified, no longer requiring wildcard DNS, and Pages parallel deployments are now in beta, supporting localization for language-specific versions.

Security enhancements include the general availability of the Advanced Static Application Security Testing (SAST) scanner for GitLab Ultimate customers, powered by Oxeye technology. This offers a new detection engine for first-party code vulnerabilities and a code-flow view that traces vulnerabilities across files and functions. Furthermore, users can now hide and mask CI/CD variable values in the UI, ensuring sensitive data remains permanently obscured after being saved to project settings.