Breaking change: Allow guest users to pull packages from private projects on GitLab.com
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Deprecation Summary
GitLab.com is implementing a breaking change to allow guest users to pull packages from private projects, aligning with the functionality already available in self-managed instances. This change provides consistent behavior across all GitLab deployments and simplifies package sharing.
Documentation
- Deprecation notice: #336622
- Migration guidelines: [Link needed]
- Feature flag documentation: [Link needed]
Product Usage
Currently, GitLab.com users cannot allow guest users to pull packages from private projects, while this functionality exists in self-managed instances via internal projects. This change aligns GitLab.com behavior with self-managed instances.
Breaking Change?
Yes - This deprecation contains a breaking change as it modifies access control behavior for private projects.
Affected Customers
Who is affected by this deprecation:
-
GitLab.com -
Self-managed -
Dedicated
What pricing tiers are impacted:
-
GitLab Free -
GitLab Premium -
GitLab Ultimate
[x] Internal note outlining details of customer impact has been created
Deprecation Milestone
- Announcement: GitLab 17.6 (November 2023)
- Feature Flag Implementation: 17.7 or 17.8 (December 2023 or January 2024)
- Full Implementation: 18.0 (May 2024)
Planned Removal Milestone
The feature / functionality will be fully implemented in milestone: 18.0
Links
- Issue: #336622
- Documentation: [Add links]
Rollout Plan
DRI Engineers: [To be assigned] DRI Engineering Manager: [To be assigned]
-
Implement feature flag for controlled rollout -
Update permissions model -
Monitor system performance -
Track usage metrics -
Enable for early adopters -
Full implementation in 18.0
Impact Assessment
- Severity: High
- Scope: Project
- Resolution role: Maintainer
- Manual task required: Yes
- Implementation window: 3 months
Development Tasks
-
Update permissions model -
Implement feature flag -
Create migration documentation -
Add security validations -
Update access control logic -
Implement monitoring metrics
Communication Plan
DRI Product Manager: [To be assigned]
Internal Communication
-
Create comprehensive internal note -
Train support teams -
Prepare security guidelines
External Communication
-
Announce change in 17.6 -
Update documentation -
Create migration guide -
Provide feature flag documentation
Success Metrics
- Guest user package pull success rate
- System performance metrics
- Migration success rate
- Support ticket volume
- Feature flag adoption rate