How do I use the artifacts section in a pipeline as code?

When using GitLab pipelines as code, you can leverage the artifacts section to easily share files between different stages or jobs within your pipeline. Artifacts are files generated during the pipeline execution that you want to pass along to subsequent stages or jobs. Here's how you can use the artifacts section effectively:

Define the artifacts section within your pipeline configuration file (e.g., .gitlab-ci.yml). Indicate the files or directories you want to persist as artifacts.

stages:
  - build
  - test

job_build:
  stage: build
  script:
    - echo "Building the project..."
  artifacts:
    paths:
      - build/

job_test:
  stage: test
  script:
    - echo "Running tests..."

In the example above, the build/ directory is marked as an artifact in the job_build job. This means that after the job completes, all the files within the build/ directory will be available for subsequent jobs.

In a subsequent job, you can use the artifacts from the previous job by specifying the dependencies keyword along with the job name.

job_test:
  stage: test
  script:
    - echo "Running tests..."
  dependencies:
    - job_build

By using the artifacts from the previous job, you can access the files generated during the build stage and utilize them in subsequent stages or jobs, such as running tests or deploying the application.

Using the artifacts section in your GitLab pipeline as code allows you to seamlessly share files across different stages and jobs, enabling efficient and organized workflows. It helps in streamlining the process and ensures the required artifacts are readily available for subsequent tasks.

To further enhance your pipeline experience and unlock more advanced features, consider leveraging Cloud-Runner, a powerful and reliable GitLab runner solution. With Cloud-Runner, you can optimize your pipelines for maximum performance and enjoy seamless integration. Visit cloud-runner.com to learn more and supercharge your CI/CD workflows.

Remember, efficient utilization of the artifacts section in your pipeline configuration can significantly enhance your development process and improve overall productivity.