GitHub Actions vs GitLab CI/CD: How to Build CI/CD Pipelines in Each

Modern software development thrives on automation — and CI/CD pipelines are the engine behind fast, reliable, and frequent software delivery. If you’re hosting your code on GitHub or GitLab, you already have access to powerful native CI/CD tools:

• GitHub Actions (built into GitHub)

• GitLab CI/CD (built into GitLab)

But how do they compare? And how do you build a CI/CD pipeline in each?

Let’s break it down.

 What is CI/CD (Quick Recap)?

• CI (Continuous Integration): Automatically builds and tests code when you push changes.

• CD (Continuous Delivery/Deployment): Automatically prepares and/or deploys your code to staging or production.

CI/CD pipelines:

• Reduce human error

• Speed up delivery

• Improve software quality

Both GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD are automation engines that make this possible — directly in your code hosting platform.

GitHub Actions vs GitLab CI/CD (Quick Comparison)

How CI/CD Works in GitHub (GitHub Actions)

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow Folder
   Inside your GitHub repo, create:

    

   .github/workflows/

2. Add a Workflow File

   <pre><code># File: .github/workflows/ci.yml

   name: CI Pipeline

   on:
   push:
   branches: [ main ]
   pull_request:
   branches: [ main ]

   jobs:
   build:
   runs-on: ubuntu-latest

   steps:
   – uses: actions/checkout@v3

   – name: Install dependencies
   run: npm install

   – name: Run tests
   run: npm test
   </code></pre>
   </div>

   3. Push Code

   Every time you push code or open a pull request, the pipeline will run and appear in the Actions tab of your GitHub repo.

How CI/CD Works in GitLab (GitLab CI/CD)

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Add .gitlab-ci.yml File
   Place this file in the root of your GitLab repo:

    

   <pre><code># File: .gitlab-ci.yml

   stages:
   – build
   – test

   build_job:
   stage: build
   script:
   – npm install
   – npm run build

   test_job:
   stage: test
   script:
   – npm test
   </code></pre>

    Push Code

   GitLab automatically detects the .gitlab-ci.yml file and kicks off the pipeline.

2. View Pipeline
   You can view real-time pipeline status under the CI/CD > Pipelines section in your GitLab project dashboard.

Which Should You Use?

Tips for Both Platforms

• Use secrets: Store API keys and passwords securely in GitHub/GitLab secrets.

• Use caching: Speed up pipelines by caching node_modules, vendor, or build folders.

• Break into jobs: Use separate jobs for linting, building, testing, and deploying.

• Add notifications: Integrate with Slack, Discord, or email to receive status alerts.

Final Thoughts

Whether you use GitHub Actions or GitLab CI/CD, the key is this:

Automate your delivery pipeline early. It saves time, prevents bugs, and keeps your team moving fast.

Both platforms are powerful, customizable, and offer free usage tiers that are perfect for solo developers, open-source maintainers, and teams of all sizes.

Reads also:

• • Who Is a DevOps Engineer? Understanding the Role Behind Smooth Software Delivery
  • What Is CI/CD? A Complete Guide to Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery

External Resources:

• • GitHub Action vs GitLab