GitLab Runners

GitLab runners are the components of the GitLab CI/CD pipeline that are responsible for running jobs and executing the tasks defined in the pipeline configuration. They are typically used to build, test, and deploy code changes.

Terminology

• GitLab Job
  The tasks in the CI/CD pipeline such as running tests, building an image, deploying to a server etc. are configured as what’s called jobs.

• GitLab Instance
  Gitlab instance or also called Gitlab server that hosts your application code and your pipelines and basically the whole configuration. So it knows what needs to be done.

• GitLab Runners
  This is an agent installed on a different server from the GitLab server. The GitLab Runner receives instructions from the GitLab server in regards to which jobs to run. Each runner must be registered with the GitLab server.

• Runner Executor
  Each Runner will define at least one executor. An executor is essentially the environment where the job will be executed.

Types Of Executors

1. Shell executor
2. Virtual Machine executor (VirtualBox / Parallels)
3. Docker executor
4. Docker Machine executor
5. Kubernetes executor
6. SSH executor
7. Custom executor