---
stage: Create
group: Source Code
info: "To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments"
type: reference, index, howto
---

# Project settings **(FREE)**

NOTE:
Only project maintainers and administrators have the [permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions)
to access project settings.

The **Settings** page in GitLab provides a centralized home for your
[project](../index.md) configuration options. To access it, go to your project's homepage
and, in the left navigation menu, clicking **Settings**. To reduce complexity, settings are
grouped by topic into sections. To display all settings in a section, click **Expand**.

In GitLab versions [13.10 and later](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4842),
GitLab displays a search box to help you find the settings you want to view.

## General settings

Under a project's general settings, you can find everything concerning the
functionality of a project.

### General project settings

Adjust your project's name, description, avatar, [default branch](../repository/branches/default.md), and topics:

![general project settings](img/general_settings_v13_11.png)

The project description also partially supports [standard Markdown](../../markdown.md#standard-markdown-and-extensions-in-gitlab). You can use [emphasis](../../markdown.md#emphasis), [links](../../markdown.md#links), and [line-breaks](../../markdown.md#line-breaks) to add more context to the project description.

#### Compliance framework **(PREMIUM)**

You can select a framework label to identify that your project has certain compliance requirements or needs additional oversight. Available labels include:

- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry-Data Security Standard)
- SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2)
- SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley)

NOTE:
Compliance framework labels do not affect your project settings.

#### Custom compliance frameworks

> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/276221) in GitLab 13.9.
> - [Deployed behind a feature flag](../../feature_flags.md).
> - [Enabled by default](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/287779) in GitLab 13.11.
> - Enabled on GitLab.com.
> - Recommended for production use.

WARNING:
This feature might not be available to you. Check the **version history** note above for details.

GitLab 13.9 introduces custom compliance frameworks at the group-level. A group owner can create a compliance framework label
and assign it to any number of projects within that group or subgroups. When this feature is enabled, projects can only
be assigned compliance framework labels that already exist within that group.

If existing [Compliance frameworks](#compliance-framework) are not sufficient, project and group owners
can now create their own.

New compliance framework labels can be created and updated using GraphQL.

#### Compliance pipeline configuration **(ULTIMATE)**

> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/3156) in GitLab 13.9.
> - [Deployed behind a feature flag](../../feature_flags.md).
> - [Enabled by default](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/300324) in GitLab 13.11.
> - Enabled on GitLab.com.
> - Recommended for production use.

WARNING:
This feature might not be available to you. Check the **version history** note above for details.

Group owners can use the compliance pipeline configuration to define compliance requirements
such as scans or tests, and enforce them in individual projects.

The [custom compliance framework](#custom-compliance-frameworks) feature allows group owners to specify the location
of a compliance pipeline configuration stored and managed in a dedicated project, distinct from a developer's project.

When you set up the compliance pipeline configuration field, use the
`file@group/project` format. For example, you can configure
`.compliance-gitlab-ci.yml@compliance-group/compliance-project`.
This field is inherited by projects where the compliance framework label is applied. The result
forces the project to run the compliance configurations.

When a project with a custom label executes a pipeline, it begins by evaluating the compliance pipeline configuration.
The custom pipeline configuration can then execute any included individual project configuration.

The user running the pipeline in the project should at least have Reporter access to the compliance project.

Example `.compliance-gitlab-ci.yml`

```yaml
stages: # Allows compliance team to control the ordering and interweaving of stages/jobs
- pre-compliance
- build
- test
- pre-deploy-compliance
- deploy
- post-compliance

variables: # can be overriden by a developer's local .gitlab-ci.yml
  FOO: sast

sast: # none of these attributes can be overriden by a developer's local .gitlab-ci.yml
  variables:
    FOO: sast
  stage: pre-compliance
  script:
  - echo "running $FOO"

sanity check:
  stage: pre-deploy-compliance
  script:
  - echo "running $FOO"


audit trail:
  stage: post-compliance
  script:
  - echo "running $FOO"

include: # Execute individual project's configuration
  project: '$CI_PROJECT_PATH'
  file: '$CI_PROJECT_CONFIG_PATH'
```

### Sharing and permissions

For your repository, you can set up features such as public access, repository features,
documentation, access permissions, and more. To do so from your project,
go to **Settings** > **General**, and expand the **Visibility, project features, permissions**
section.

You can now change the [Project visibility](../../../public_access/public_access.md).
If you set **Project Visibility** to public, you can limit access to some features
to **Only Project Members**. In addition, you can select the option to
[Allow users to request access](../members/index.md#project-membership-and-requesting-access).

Use the switches to enable or disable the following features:

| Option                            | More access limit options | Description                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|:----------------------------------|:--------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Issues**                        | ✓                         | Activates the GitLab issues tracker                                                                                                                                                            |
| **Repository**                    | ✓                         | Enables [repository](../repository/) functionality                                                                                                                                             |
| **Merge Requests**                | ✓                         | Enables [merge request](../merge_requests/) functionality; also see [Merge request settings](#merge-request-settings)                                                                          |
| **Forks**                         | ✓                         | Enables [forking](../working_with_projects.md#fork-a-project) functionality                                                                                                                                    |
| **Pipelines**                     | ✓                         | Enables [CI/CD](../../../ci/README.md) functionality                                                                                                                                           |
| **Container Registry**            |                           | Activates a [registry](../../packages/container_registry/) for your Docker images                                                                                                              |
| **Git Large File Storage**        |                           | Enables the use of [large files](../../../topics/git/lfs/index.md#git-large-file-storage-lfs)                                                                                    |
| **Packages**                      |                           | Supports configuration of a [package registry](../../../administration/packages/index.md#gitlab-package-registry-administration) functionality                                    |
| **Analytics**                     | ✓                         | Enables [analytics](../../analytics/)                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Wiki**                          | ✓                         | Enables a separate system for [documentation](../wiki/)                                                                                                                                        |
| **Snippets**                      | ✓                         | Enables [sharing of code and text](../../snippets.md)                                                                                                                                          |
| **Pages**                         | ✓                         | Allows you to [publish static websites](../pages/)                                                                                                                                             |
| **Metrics Dashboard**             | ✓                         | Control access to [metrics dashboard](../integrations/prometheus.md)
| **Requirements**                  | ✓                         | Control access to [Requirements Management](../requirements/index.md) |
| **Operations Dashboard**          | ✓                         | Control access to [operations dashboard](../../../operations/index.md)

Some features depend on others:

- If you disable the **Issues** option, GitLab also removes the following
  features:
  - **Issue Boards**
  - [**Service Desk**](#service-desk)

  NOTE:
  When the **Issues** option is disabled, you can still access **Milestones**
  from merge requests.

- Additionally, if you disable both **Issues** and **Merge Requests**, you cannot access:
  - **Labels**
  - **Milestones**

- If you disable **Repository** functionality, GitLab also disables the following
  features for your project:
  - **Merge Requests**
  - **Pipelines**
  - **Container Registry**
  - **Git Large File Storage**
  - **Packages**

- Metrics dashboard access requires reading both project environments and deployments.
  Users with access to the metrics dashboard can also access environments and deployments.

#### Disabling the CVE ID request button

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/41203) in GitLab 13.4, only for public projects on GitLab.com.

In applicable environments, a [**Create CVE ID Request** button](../../application_security/cve_id_request.md)
is present in the issue sidebar. The button may be disabled on a per-project basis by toggling the
setting **Enable CVE ID requests in the issue sidebar**.

![CVE ID Request toggle](img/cve_id_request_toggle.png)

#### Disabling email notifications

Project owners can disable all [email notifications](../../profile/notifications.md#gitlab-notification-emails)
related to the project by selecting the **Disable email notifications** checkbox.

### Merge request settings

Set up your project's merge request settings:

- Set up the merge request method (merge commit, [fast-forward merge](../merge_requests/fast_forward_merge.md)).
- Add merge request [description templates](../description_templates.md#description-templates).
- Enable [merge request approvals](../merge_requests/merge_request_approvals.md).
- Enable [merge only if pipeline succeeds](../merge_requests/merge_when_pipeline_succeeds.md).
- Enable [merge only when all threads are resolved](../../discussions/index.md#only-allow-merge-requests-to-be-merged-if-all-threads-are-resolved).
- Enable [`delete source branch after merge` option by default](../merge_requests/getting_started.md#deleting-the-source-branch)
- Configure [suggested changes commit messages](../../discussions/index.md#configure-the-commit-message-for-applied-suggestions)
- Configure [the default target project](../merge_requests/creating_merge_requests.md#set-the-default-target-project) for merge requests coming from forks.

### Service Desk

Enable [Service Desk](../service_desk.md) for your project to offer customer support.

### Export project

Learn how to [export a project](import_export.md#importing-the-project) in GitLab.

### Advanced settings

Here you can run housekeeping, archive, rename, transfer, [remove a fork relationship](#removing-a-fork-relationship), or remove a project.

#### Archiving a project

Archiving a project makes it read-only for all users and indicates that it's
no longer actively maintained. Projects that have been archived can also be
unarchived. Only project owners and administrators have the
[permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions) to archive a project.

When a project is archived, the repository, packages, issues, merge requests, and all
other features are read-only. Archived projects are also hidden
in project listings.

To archive a project:

1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > General**.
1. Under **Advanced**, click **Expand**.
1. In the **Archive project** section, click the **Archive project** button.
1. Confirm the action when asked to.

#### Unarchiving a project

Unarchiving a project removes the read-only restriction on a project, and makes it
available in project listings. Only project owners and administrators have the
[permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions) to unarchive a project.

To find an archived project:

1. Sign in to GitLab as a user with project owner or administrator permissions.
1. If you:
   - Have the project's URL, open the project's page in your browser.
   - Don't have the project's URL:
   1. Click **Projects > Explore projects**.
   1. In the **Sort projects** dropdown box, select **Show archived projects**.
   1. In the **Filter by name** field, provide the project's name.
   1. Click the link to the project to open its **Details** page.

Next, to unarchive the project:

1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > General**.
1. Under **Advanced**, click **Expand**.
1. In the **Unarchive project** section, click the **Unarchive project** button.
1. Confirm the action when asked to.

#### Renaming a repository

NOTE:
Only project maintainers and administrators have the [permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions) to rename a
repository. Not to be confused with a project's name where it can also be
changed from the [general project settings](#general-project-settings).

A project's repository name defines its URL (the one you use to access the
project via a browser) and its place on the file disk where GitLab is installed.

To rename a repository:

1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > General**.
1. Under **Advanced**, click **Expand**.
1. Under **Change path**, update the repository's path.
1. Click **Change path**.

Remember that this can have unintended side effects since everyone with the
old URL can't push or pull. Read more about what happens with the
[redirects when renaming repositories](../repository/index.md#redirects-when-changing-repository-paths).

#### Transferring an existing project into another namespace

NOTE:
Only project owners and administrators have the [permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions)
to transfer a project.

You can transfer an existing project into a [group](../../group/index.md) if:

- You have at least **Maintainer** [permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions) to that group.
- You're at least an **Owner** of the project to be transferred.
- The group to which the project is being transferred to must allow creation of new projects.

To transfer a project:

1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > General**.
1. Under **Advanced**, click **Expand**.
1. Under "Transfer project", choose the namespace you want to transfer the
   project to.
1. Confirm the transfer by typing the project's path as instructed.

Once done, you are redirected to the new project's namespace. At this point,
read what happens with the
[redirects from the old project to the new one](../repository/index.md#redirects-when-changing-repository-paths).

NOTE:
GitLab administrators can use the administration interface to move any project to any
namespace if needed.

#### Delete a project

NOTE:
Only project owners and administrators have [permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions) to delete a project.

To delete a project:

1. Navigate to your project, and select **Settings > General > Advanced**.
1. In the "Delete project" section, click the **Delete project** button.
1. Confirm the action when asked to.

This action:

- Deletes a project including all associated resources (issues, merge requests etc).
- From [GitLab 13.2](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/220382) on [Premium](https://about.gitlab.com/pricing/) or higher tiers,
group owners can [configure](../../group/index.md#enable-delayed-project-removal) projects within a group
to be deleted after a delayed period.
When enabled, actual deletion happens after number of days
specified in [instance settings](../../admin_area/settings/visibility_and_access_controls.md#default-deletion-delay).

WARNING:
The default behavior of [Delayed Project deletion](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/32935) in GitLab 12.6 was changed to
[Immediate deletion](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/220382) in GitLab 13.2.

#### Restore a project **(PREMIUM)**

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/32935) in GitLab 12.6.

To restore a project marked for deletion:

1. Navigate to your project, and select **Settings > General > Advanced**.
1. In the Restore project section, click the **Restore project** button.

#### Removing a fork relationship

Forking is a great way to [contribute to a project](../repository/forking_workflow.md)
of which you're not a member.
If you want to use the fork for yourself and don't need to send
[merge requests](../merge_requests/index.md) to the upstream project,
you can safely remove the fork relationship.

WARNING:
Once removed, the fork relationship cannot be restored. You can't send merge requests to the source, and if anyone has forked your project, their fork also loses the relationship.

To do so:

1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > General > Advanced**.
1. Under **Remove fork relationship**, click the likewise-labeled button.
1. Confirm the action by typing the project's path as instructed.

NOTE:
Only project owners have the [permissions](../../permissions.md#project-members-permissions)
to remove a fork relationship.

## Operations settings

### Error Tracking

Configure Error Tracking to discover and view [Sentry errors within GitLab](../../../operations/error_tracking.md).

### Jaeger tracing **(ULTIMATE)**

Add the URL of a Jaeger server to allow your users to [easily access the Jaeger UI from within GitLab](../../../operations/tracing.md).

### Status Page

[Add Storage credentials](../../../operations/incident_management/status_page.md#sync-incidents-to-the-status-page)
to enable the syncing of public Issues to a [deployed status page](../../../operations/incident_management/status_page.md#create-a-status-page-project).

### Enable or disable custom compliance frameworks **(PREMIUM)**

Enabling or disabling custom compliance frameworks is under development and not ready for production use. It is
deployed behind a feature flag that is **disabled by default**.
[GitLab administrators with access to the GitLab Rails console](../../../administration/feature_flags.md)
can enable it.

To enable it:

```ruby
Feature.enable(:ff_custom_compliance_frameworks, Group.find(<group id>))
```

To disable it:

```ruby
Feature.disable(:ff_custom_compliance_frameworks, Group.find(<group id>))
```
