DEVOPS

Gate the GitLab merge request on a Vercel preview smoke run

On a GitLab merge request event, waits for the matching Vercel preview, runs smoke checks, and posts a commit status plus an MR note so the pipeline can require a green preview.

CategoryDevOps
Enginesim
Difficultyintermediate
Triggerevent
Steps5
Setup~15 min

How it runs

The automated pipeline, trigger to output.

  • TriggerGitLab merge request opened or updatedGitLabGitLab
  • ActionResolve and await Vercel previewVercelVercel
  • ActionSmoke-test preview endpointsHTTP webhook
  • LogicClassify healthy vs broken
  • OutputPost GitLab status and MR noteGitLabGitLab

What it does

Bridges GitLab merge requests and Vercel previews. When an MR is opened or updated, the workflow resolves the Vercel preview deployment for that branch, smoke-tests the ephemeral environment, and writes the result back to GitLab as a commit status and a threaded MR note. GitLab pipeline rules can then refuse to merge until the preview is verified.

When to use it

Use it when your repo lives in GitLab but your frontend deploys through Vercel, and you want the same running-environment gate GitHub users get. Ideal for teams that treat the preview as the source of truth for review.

How it works

  1. 1A GitLab merge request hook fires on open or push.
  2. 2A Vercel action looks up the preview deployment tied to the MR's source branch and waits for ready.
  3. 3An HTTP step exercises the preview's key paths and captures the results.
  4. 4A logic branch classifies the run as healthy or broken.
  5. 5A GitLab action posts the commit status and an MR note with the smoke summary and failing endpoints.

Set it up

What you configure once, before turning it on.

  1. 1
    Connect GitLabRepos, MRs, pipelines, registry.
  2. 2
    Connect VercelDeploys, runtime logs, analytics.
  3. 3
    Connect HTTP webhookTrigger any URL on agent actions.
  4. 4
    Set each agent's modelWe leave models unset so you pick the tier — fast + cheap, or top-quality.
  5. 5
    Tune it to your dataEdit the prompts, filters, and field mappings so it matches how your team works.
  6. 6
    Test, then turn it onRun once against a sample, confirm the output, then enable the trigger.

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