New Runner creation workflow in Group > CI/CD Runners view

Overview

One of the critical issues with the current runner registration token method for adding a new runner to a GitLab instance is that the token is available to all authorized users. Therefore there is no simple mechanism to trace a runner to the user that installed and connected the runner to a GitLab group namespace.

In this new workflow, adding a new runner to a GitLab group requires authorized users to create a runner in the GitLab UI and include essential configuration metadata. With this method, the runner is now easily traceable to the user, which will help administrators troubleshoot build issues or respond to security incidents.

User flow

Proposal

• Update Register an instance runner dropdown button to a normal button
• Create a new page with a form that includes the configuration inputs
• Generate registration command should output the command to register a runner
• Support the old registration flow by linking to the existing modal in the Register page description