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DevOps / GitLab CI Basics Interview Questions

What are pipeline triggers and how can a pipeline be started without a git push?

GitLab pipelines can be triggered by multiple mechanisms beyond a git push. Understanding all trigger sources allows you to design flexible CI/CD workflows.

Pipeline trigger sources ($CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE values)
SourceValueHow triggered
Git pushpushDeveloper pushes commits to any branch
Merge requestmerge_request_eventMR is created or updated
Web UIweb'Run pipeline' button in GitLab UI
APIapiPOST to /api/v4/projects/:id/pipeline
Trigger tokentriggerPOST with a pipeline trigger token
SchedulescheduleScheduled pipeline ran
Parent pipelineparent_pipelineUpstream pipeline triggered this child
ChatchatGitLab ChatOps slash command
# Trigger a pipeline via API:
curl --request POST \
  --form "token=<trigger-token>" \
  --form "ref=main" \
  --form "variables[DEPLOY_ENV]=staging" \
  "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/123/trigger/pipeline"

# Trigger a downstream pipeline from a job (bridge job):
trigger-deploy:
  stage: deploy
  trigger:
    project: myorg/deploy-repo
    branch: main
    strategy: depend   # wait for downstream pipeline to complete

# Check trigger source in rules:
job-for-mr-only:
  rules:
    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "merge_request_event"

Pipeline triggers can pass custom variables, enabling flexible parameterised pipelines. For example, you can trigger a deployment pipeline from another system, passing the environment name and image tag as variables.

What $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE value is set when a pipeline is triggered via the GitLab UI 'Run pipeline' button?
What does the 'trigger' keyword in a GitLab CI job do?

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