Video summary
GitLab Orbit represents a significant evolution in how AI agents operate within the software development lifecycle by providing them with a unified, real-time context graph. Unlike previous iterations that offered a basic data model, this new platform connects disparate elements such as code repositories, CI/CD pipelines, deployment statuses, security findings, and production signals into a single, high-resolution view. This integration allows agents to trace complex relationships instantly, for example, following the path from a vulnerable library directly to every service it impacts or linking a specific code change to the pipeline that validates it, thereby giving AI systems a much sharper understanding of the software environment.
A key advantage of GitLab Orbit is its seamless integration within existing GitLab instances, meaning organizations can utilize this advanced context immediately without needing to set up additional instrumentation projects or manage third-party integrations. The platform is designed to be open and accessible to any type of agent, whether native to GitLab, custom-built, or external, all connecting through the same Model Context Protocol tools and REST APIs. This architecture ensures that agents can act on far more detail and connections right from day one, effectively turning the entire software infrastructure into a dynamic source of truth that enhances the speed and accuracy of automated decision-making.
The practical impact of this richer context is that AI agents are able to make better decisions on the first attempt, significantly reducing wasted computational runs and improving overall efficiency. By having immediate access to security posture and live production data, agents can navigate the software landscape with greater confidence and precision. Users can interact with this system through Agentic chat using plain language questions to get direct answers or utilize the data explorer to visualize the exact path an agent takes from a commit to a pipeline, ensuring transparency into how these intelligent systems perceive and process the development workflow.
Ultimately, GitLab Orbit redefines what software development looks like in the age of AI by ensuring that agents possess the full picture necessary to function effectively. It bridges the gap between isolated data points and creates a cohesive narrative that allows for smarter, faster automation across the entire lifecycle. As the industry moves toward more autonomous systems, this platform provides the essential foundation where context is no longer a limitation but a competitive advantage, enabling software teams to leverage AI agents with unprecedented depth and reliability in their daily operations.
Read the full video transcript
AI agents run on context.
The richer the context, the sharper the
output.
>> [music]
>> GitLab Duo agent platform first
delivered a unified data model for
agents across [music] the software life
cycle.
This is the next step.
>> [music]
>> Introducing GitLab Orbit.
Orbit connects code, pipelines,
deployments, [music] security findings,
and production signals into a real-time
context graph.
Your agents get smarter, faster.
It's your software in higher resolution.
>> [music]
>> Same system, far more detail, far more
connections your agents can act on.
Agents trace [music] those connections
from a vulnerable library to every
service it touches, from a code change
to the pipeline that validates it.
Built within your GitLab instance, the
graph [music] is live from day one. No
instrumentation project, no integrations
to stand up.
>> [music]
>> First-party context ready to use.
In Agentic chat, ask [music] a question
in plain language, get an answer drawn
directly from your real-time source of
truth. [music]
In the data explorer, trace a change
from commit to pipeline and see what
your agents [music] see. One path, one
picture.
Orbit is [music] open to any agent,
GitLab native, custom, or external, all
connecting through the same MCP tools
and REST APIs.
The richer context [music] means your
agents make better decisions on the
first try with fewer wasted runs, with
the knowledge of your security [music]
posture.
GitLab Orbit.
This is what software development looks
like when agents have the full picture.