GitLab 18.5 released with Duo Planner Agent, Duo Security Analyst Agent, and much more

GitLab 18.5 has arrived, delivering a broad range of new features, enhancements, and bug fixes for its users. Among the headline updates, product managers can now collaborate with the GitLab Duo Planner, a GitLab Duo agent available in beta directly inside the platform.

In parallel, GitLab introduces the Security Analyst Agent as a beta feature within the AI Catalog. This AI-powered agent automates complex security workflows and handles repetitive assessments, freeing engineers to prioritize true security threats. For those using coding assistants, GitLab Duo Chat now allows users to select their preferred AI model, including the new OpenAI GPT-5, directly within both the Visual Studio Code and JetBrains IDEs.

Expanding development workflows, GitLab 18.5 adds a comprehensive web-based interface for managing Maven virtual registries. Alongside this, all users can access a redesigned personal homepage that consolidates activities to help resume work efficiently. While compliance-focused teams benefit from instance-wide policy groups to centralize security practices, automation tools now support scripting within continuous integration and deployment pipelines, specifically to streamline Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) authentication workflows. Additional improvements and bug fixes enhance the experience for developers and hobbyists.