Step-by-Step: Scan and Fix Dead Links in GitLab Projects

GitLab projects often rely heavily on Wikis and README files. Unlike GitHub, GitLab has specific nuances in how it handles file pathing and raw content.

Detailed URL format rules in the official GitLab Wiki documentation help avoid broken links.

Real-world GitLab projects typically use CI templates. Add a step in your `.gitlab-ci.yml` and use a tool like `linkinator` or `lychee` to block merge requests with failing link checks.

Scanning GitLab READMEs

To check a GitLab README, you can use the same approach as GitHub. Simply take your project's main URL and paste it into ourlink checker. Our tool is optimized to handle GitLab's `/blob/` and `/raw/` URL structures automatically.

Common GitLab Link Pitfalls

• Wiki vs. Repo paths: Links inside a GitLab Wiki use a different internal pathing logic than those in the main repository. Always double-check your wiki links.
• Private Repositories: If your project is private, external scanners cannot reach it. In this case, you should copy-paste the Markdown content directly into our tool's "Option 2" tab.

Automating the Process

Integrate link checking into your `.gitlab-ci.yml`. You can use simple shell scripts with `curl` or dedicated CI images to verify that your documentation stays healthy as your project grows.