7 Best-Selling GitLab Books Millions Rely On

Explore GitLab books recommended by experts like Jeroen Van Baarsen, Joost Evertse, and Christopher Cowell, packed with best-selling insights for developers and DevOps professionals.

Updated on June 25, 2025
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There's something special about books that both experts and thousands of readers trust to master GitLab — a platform that's become central to modern software development and DevOps workflows. As organizations demand faster, more secure code delivery, GitLab's integrated approach to version control, CI/CD, and project management makes it an indispensable tool right now.

Experts like Jeroen Van Baarsen, a core GitLab team member, and Joost Evertse, a seasoned DevOps author, have crafted guides that reveal practical, hands-on techniques. Jeroen's recipes for server management, for instance, emerged from real operational challenges, while Joost distills complex GitLab 12 features into actionable steps. Their books have influenced countless readers seeking to optimize their GitLab use.

While these best-selling books provide proven frameworks and workflows, you might find your unique needs call for a customized approach. Consider creating a personalized GitLab book tailored to your skill level and specific goals — combining expert-validated methods with your own priorities.

Best for server admins and DevOps pros
Jeroen Van Baarsen is a member of the GitLab core team, bringing extensive experience in managing and administering GitLab servers. His expertise in software development and system administration makes him a valuable resource for developers and DevOps professionals looking to optimize their use of GitLab. This book distills his practical knowledge into recipes that help you install, secure, and maintain your GitLab instance effectively.
Gitlab Cookbook book cover

by Jeroen Van Baarsen··You?

2014·172 pages·GitLab, Software Development Tools, DevOps, GitLab Administration, Continuous Integration

Jeroen Van Baarsen, a core team member of GitLab, brings his deep experience managing GitLab servers to this collection of over 60 practical recipes. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge to install and maintain your own GitLab instance, configure user permissions, and leverage advanced features like continuous integration and LDAP integration. The book doesn’t just skim the surface—it dives into managing projects via the GitLab API and securing your codebase effectively. If you’re running a GitLab server or planning to set one up, this guide helps you unlock its full potential, whether you’re a developer or DevOps professional with some UNIX familiarity or eager to learn.

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Best for repository organization experts
Gitlab Repository Management offers a focused look at organizing and controlling code repositories within GitLab, a platform widely adopted in software development and DevOps environments. The book’s streamlined approach addresses the practical needs of developers and teams who want to improve their repository management without wading through unrelated material. Packed with targeted advice on branch strategy, access controls, and project structuring, it caters to those seeking clarity in managing GitLab repositories efficiently. Its straightforward content makes it a valuable tool for professionals aiming to enhance their GitLab workflows and maintain orderly codebases.
2013·88 pages·GitLab, Repository Management, Version Control, Code Organization, Branching Strategy

Unlike most GitLab books that focus on general usage, Jonathan Hethey's Gitlab Repository Management zeroes in on the nitty-gritty of repository organization within GitLab. You’ll find concise guidance on structuring projects and managing code repositories effectively, which is especially useful for developers and teams aiming to streamline their workflows. The book’s brevity—just 88 pages—means it doesn't overwhelm you but delivers targeted insights, such as how to optimize branch strategies and access controls in early chapters. If you’re looking for a quick, focused manual to get your GitLab repositories in order, this book suits that purpose well.

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Best for personal workflow plans
This AI-created book on GitLab workflows is crafted based on your experience level, interests, and specific goals. You provide insights on which GitLab features and processes you want to focus on, and the book is tailored to guide you through those areas efficiently. This personalized approach helps you skip generic information and dive directly into techniques that fit your environment and objectives, making learning both relevant and effective.
2025·50-300 pages·GitLab, GitLab Fundamentals, Version Control, CI/CD Pipelines, Deployment Automation

This tailored book explores detailed approaches to streamlining GitLab development and deployment processes, focusing on your unique background and goals. It reveals how to enhance workflow efficiency by integrating essential GitLab features such as version control, CI/CD pipelines, and project management. By matching your specific interests, it examines best practices and common challenges, making the learning experience relevant and actionable. Through this personalized guide, you gain a clearer understanding of optimizing GitLab usage to suit your development environment and team dynamics. The book’s tailored content ensures you focus on the aspects that matter most to your projects, unlocking smoother, more productive GitLab workflows.

AI-Tailored
Workflow Optimization
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for GitLab migration beginners
Adam O'Grady hails from Perth, Australia, and brings hands-on experience from building government systems to his role leading an engineering team in health tech. His journey from programming on calculators to managing complex data projects shaped the practical approach found in this book. His expertise gives you reliable guidance on setting up and leveraging GitLab's features, especially if you're moving from other version control systems like GitHub or SVN.
GitLab Quick Start Guide book cover

by Adam O'Grady··You?

2018·180 pages·GitLab, Version Control, DevOps, Project Management, Continuous Integration

After analyzing various version control workflows and migration challenges, Adam O'Grady developed this guide to simplify adopting GitLab. The book walks you through setting up GitLab on popular Linux distributions, managing projects with issue boards, and configuring CI/CD pipelines with real examples. You learn how to migrate repositories from GitHub and SVN, create and merge code branches, and leverage GitLab's on-premise features like Mattermost for collaboration. This is a solid resource if you're a developer, SRE, or DevOps professional transitioning to GitLab or seeking to optimize your version control and project management practices within that ecosystem.

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Best for advanced GitLab users
Joost Evertse is a recognized expert in DevOps with extensive experience implementing GitLab solutions for enterprises. Known for his practical approach, he wrote this book to help you navigate GitLab 12’s features—from installation and configuration to advanced CI/CD and monitoring. His background ensures you gain actionable insights grounded in real-world software management needs.
Mastering GitLab 12 book cover

by Joost Evertse··You?

2019·608 pages·GitLab, Software Development, DevOps, Version Control, CI/CD

Joost Evertse, a seasoned DevOps and software development expert, developed this book to guide you through the intricacies of GitLab 12, focusing on practical implementation rather than abstract theory. You'll learn how to install and configure GitLab across various environments, migrate from other version control systems, and leverage GitLab’s CI/CD pipelines to streamline your software delivery. The detailed chapters on monitoring with Prometheus and managing high availability setups provide you with concrete tools to optimize your workflow. If you're a developer or DevOps professional seeking hands-on mastery of GitLab’s capabilities, this book lays out the steps clearly, though it assumes you already grasp the basics of software development processes.

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Best for CI/CD pipeline builders
Christopher Cowell brings two decades of experience in software development and quality assurance, combined with his role as a former GitLab trainer, to this focused guide on GitLab CI/CD pipelines. His background at Accenture, Oracle, and Puppet underscores his deep understanding of automation and code quality. Cowell's approach emphasizes thoughtful design over rushed coding, aiming to help you build reliable, secure, and efficient pipelines. This book draws directly from his professional journey and expertise, offering a valuable resource for anyone looking to elevate their DevOps automation practices with GitLab.
2023·348 pages·Devops, CI/CD, Continuous Integration, GitLab, Software Development

Christopher Cowell's extensive experience as a former GitLab trainer and QA engineer informs this hands-on guide to mastering GitLab CI/CD pipelines. You get practical insights on setting up runners, configuring pipelines for various development stages, and deploying code to multiple environments, including integration with Kubernetes and Terraform. The book balances foundational GitLab commands with advanced pipeline techniques, making it a solid fit if you want to improve code verification, security, and deployment workflows. Whether you're a DevOps engineer or developer, this book guides you through real examples and troubleshooting to help elevate your automation skills.

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Best for rapid skills building
This AI-created book on GitLab automation is crafted based on your current skills and specific goals. You share your experience level, areas of interest, and what you want to achieve with GitLab pipelines, and the book is created to cover exactly those topics. This tailored approach makes learning more efficient by focusing only on what matters most for you, helping you build practical automation skills quickly and with confidence.
2025·50-300 pages·GitLab, GitLab Basics, Continuous Integration, Pipeline Automation, Version Control

This tailored book explores a focused, step-by-step plan to rapidly build your GitLab skills, tailored to match your background and goals. It covers essential GitLab features, automation of CI/CD pipelines, and practical techniques to optimize your development workflow. By concentrating on topics that align with your interests and existing knowledge, this personalized approach helps you gain confidence with GitLab’s core functionalities while advancing toward automation mastery. The book delves into pipeline creation, GitLab runners, version control, and project management, revealing how these components work together to streamline software delivery. With a clear, tailored roadmap, this resource empowers you to accelerate your GitLab proficiency efficiently and effectively.

Tailored Guide
Pipeline Automation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for full DevOps lifecycle practitioners
Jeffrey Painter brings 45 years of software development experience, including managing Jenkins farms and prototyping self-managed GitLab servers at Here Technologies. His deep technical background grounds this guide, making it a valuable resource for those aiming to implement and administer robust GitLab DevOps environments.
2024·941 pages·GitLab, DevOps, Software Development, GitLab Administration, CI/CD

The methods Jeffrey Painter developed while managing complex Jenkins and GitLab environments at Here Technologies offer you an in-depth view into GitLab's capabilities. You’ll move from the basics of account setup and source code management to mastering CI/CD pipelines, project organization, and access controls. Painter's experience with self-managed GitLab servers shines in chapters on Docker image repositories, API integrations, and deploying GitLab on AWS with high availability. This book suits software developers and aspiring administrators ready to deepen their practical understanding of GitLab's full DevOps lifecycle.

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Best for progressive GitLab skill builders
Unlike many GitLab books that focus narrowly on either beginner or advanced topics, "GitLab Guidebook: From Basics to Expert Proficiency" offers a balanced path through the platform’s full capabilities. This book has garnered attention for its methodical approach, guiding you from fundamental repository management to complex DevOps workflows with GitLab Runner configurations and cloud scaling. Its practical examples and best practices are designed to enhance your productivity and security, making it a solid choice for developers and teams aiming to leverage GitLab effectively in software development.
2024·343 pages·GitLab, DevOps, Software Development, CI/CD Pipelines, Repository Management

What started as a desire to make GitLab accessible to both newcomers and experienced DevOps professionals became William Smith's detailed manual for mastering this versatile platform. You’ll move beyond basic repository management to understand CI/CD pipelines, advanced runner configurations, and cloud scaling, all explained through clear examples and structured chapters. The book doesn’t just list features; it teaches you how to optimize workflows and secure your projects effectively. If you’re looking to deepen your practical GitLab skills with a resource that grows alongside your expertise, this guide offers a steady, logical progression to get you there.

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Conclusion

This collection of seven best-selling GitLab books highlights recurring themes: practical workflows, automation mastery, and scalable DevOps strategies. Each title offers tested solutions that have helped many professionals streamline their GitLab implementations, from server setup to advanced pipeline automation.

If you prefer proven methods with direct real-world applications, start with Gitlab Cookbook for server management or Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines for automation insights. For a more comprehensive skill build, combine Mastering GitLab 12 with the GitLab Guidebook to cover foundational and advanced topics.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized GitLab book that fuses these validated approaches with your unique challenges. These widely-adopted strategies have empowered many to succeed in managing GitLab environments efficiently and confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which GitLab book should I start with?

Start with the "GitLab Quick Start Guide" if you're new; it offers a clear path to setting up GitLab and migrating projects. For server management, "Gitlab Cookbook" is practical. Choose based on your current needs and experience level.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to GitLab?

Not at all. Books like "GitLab Quick Start Guide" and "Gitlab Repository Management" are designed to ease beginners into GitLab. More advanced titles like "Mastering GitLab 12" cater to seasoned users ready to deepen their skills.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational titles like "GitLab Quick Start Guide" then progress to specialized ones such as "Gitlab Cookbook" and "Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines". Finish with "GitLab Guidebook" for comprehensive mastery.

Do these books assume prior GitLab experience?

Some do, especially "Mastering GitLab 12" and "Practical GitLab Services," which expect familiarity with GitLab basics. Others like "GitLab Quick Start Guide" welcome newcomers and build your skills progressively.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Automating DevOps with GitLab CI/CD Pipelines" offers hands-on examples to build efficient pipelines, while "Gitlab Cookbook" provides practical recipes for managing GitLab servers you can apply immediately.

Can I get a GitLab book tailored to my specific needs?

Yes! While these expert-recommended books cover proven methods, you can create a personalized GitLab book designed around your skill level, goals, and focus areas for more efficient learning.

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