CI Expert and Data Analyst AI agents target development gaps (opens in new tab)
GitLab 18.11 introduces two Duo Agent Platform agents aimed at development gaps left by faster AI-generated coding. CI Expert Agent helps teams create working pipelines, while Data Analyst Agent answers software delivery questions using GitLab data. Both benefit from being embedded in GitLab, where they can use current repository, pipeline, issue, and merge request context. ## CI Expert Agent: Faster Pipeline Setup - Now available in beta. - Inspects a repository to identify its language, framework, and testing setup. - Generates runnable build and test configurations without requiring developers to write YAML manually. - Explains each pipeline step in plain language through Agentic Chat. - Uses native GitLab CI semantics. - Addresses the common problem of delaying CI because `.gitlab-ci.yml` is difficult to create or validate. - Helps reduce regressions, oversized changes, and dependence on undocumented team knowledge. - Available on GitLab.com, Self-Managed, and Dedicated across Free, Premium, and Ultimate editions with Duo Agent Platform enabled. ## Data Analyst Agent: Natural-Language SDLC Queries - Generally available in GitLab 18.11. - Lets users ask questions about development performance in plain language and receive visualizations in Agentic Chat. - Covers merge requests, issues, projects, pipelines, and jobs. - Supports questions about: - MR cycle time and review bottlenecks - Project throughput and contribution patterns - Flaky tests and pipeline performance - Runner utilization and deployment frequency - Cross-portfolio lead times and project health - Eliminates the need to learn GitLab Query Language, request custom dashboards, or rely on separate analytics tools. - Generated GLQL queries can be copied into GitLab Flavored Markdown. - Exporting results to work items and dashboards is planned. - Available across GitLab.com, Self-Managed, and Dedicated Free, Premium, and Ultimate editions with Duo Agent Platform enabled. ## The Advantage of Platform-Native Context - Both agents operate within GitLab and can access existing code, pipelines, issues, and merge requests. - Their recommendations and answers are based on current operational data rather than generic examples or disconnected tools. - The agents are designed to support the full lifecycle: understanding code, configuring CI, shipping changes, and evaluating delivery performance. Together, these agents make GitLab Duo more useful beyond code generation. Teams should consider trying CI Expert Agent for faster initial pipeline setup and Data Analyst Agent for immediate, self-service insight into delivery performance.