Deprecation - Support for registration tokens and server-side runner configuration in POST /api/v4/runners endpoint
For guidance on the overall deprecations, removals and breaking changes workflow, please visit [Breaking changes, deprecations, and removing features](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/gitlab-the-product/#deprecations-removals-and-breaking-changes)
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### Deprecation Summary
The support for registration tokens and certain runner configuration arguments in the `POST` method on the `/api/v4/runners` endpoint is **deprecated.**
This endpoint [registers](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/api/runners.html#register-a-new-runner) a Runner with a GitLab instance at the instance, group, or project level through the API. We plan to remove the support for registration tokens and certain configuration arguments in this endpoint in GitLab 16.0.
Suppose you have developed and relied on automation for registering runners using this endpoint. In that case, you will need to adopt the new Runner registration method, as the current automation that you have developed will stop functioning with the changes to the endpoint in GitLab 16.0. Namely, calls to the endpoint that include a runner registration token or certain arguments such as `locked`, `run_untagged`, or `tag_list` will return an `HTTP 410 Gone` status code.
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#### Documentation
- Deprecation notice: [add link](here)
- Migration guidelines: [Next GitLab Runner Token Architecture](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/architecture/design-documents/runner_tokens/)
- etc.
### Breaking Change
- **Yes**
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### Affected Customers
Who is affected by this deprecation: GitLab.com users, Self-managed users, or Dedicated users? (choose all that apply)
- [x] GitLab.com
- [x] Self-Managed
- [x] Dedicated
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### Affected Tier
What pricing tiers are impacted?
- [x] GitLab Free
- [x] GitLab Premium
- [x] GitLab Ultimate
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* Premium
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### Checklists
**Labels**
- [x] This issue is labeled ~deprecation, and with the relevant `~devops::`, `~group::`, and `~Category:` labels.
- [x] This issue is labeled ~"breaking change" if the removal of the deprecated item will be a [breaking change](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/gitlab-the-product/#examples-of-breaking-changes).
**Timeline**
Please add links to the relevant merge requests.
- As soon as possible, but no later than the third milestone preceding the major release (for example, given the following release schedule: `14.8, 14.9, 14.10, 15.0` – `14.8` is the third milestone preceding the major release):
- [x] A [deprecation announcement entry](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/blog/release-posts/#creating-a-deprecation-announcement) has been created so the deprecation will appear in release posts and on the [general deprecation page](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/update/deprecations).
- [x] Documentation has been updated to mark the feature as [deprecated](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/development/documentation/versions.html#deprecations-and-removals).
- [ ] On or before the major milestone: A [removal entry](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/blog/release-posts/#removals) has been created so the removal will appear on the [removals by milestones](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/update/removals) page and be announced in the release post.
- On the major milestone:
- [ ] The deprecated item has been removed.
- [ ] If the removal of the deprecated item is a [breaking change](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/gitlab-the-product/#examples-of-breaking-changes), the merge request is labeled ~"breaking change".
**Mentions**
- [x] Your stage's stable counterparts have been `@mentioned` on this issue. For example, Customer Support, Customer Success (Technical Account Manager), Product Marketing Manager.
- To see who the stable counterparts are for a product team visit [product categories](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/categories/)
- If there is no stable counterpart listed for Sales/CS please mention `@timtams`
- If there is no stable counterpart listed for Support please mention `@gitlab-com/support/managers`
- If there is no stable counterpart listed for Marketing please mention `@cfoster3`
- [x] Your GPM has been `@mentioned` so that they are aware of planned deprecations. The goal is to have reviews happen at least two releases before the final removal of the feature or introduction of a breaking change.
### Deprecation Milestone
<!-- In which milestone will this deprecation be announced ? -->
**15.6**
### Planned Removal Milestone
<!-- In which milestone will the feature or functionality be removed and announced? -->
The feature / functionality will be removed in milestone: **18.0**
### Links
[Next GitLab Runner Token Architecture](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/architecture/blueprints/runner_tokens/#next-gitlab-runner-token-architecture)
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## Communication plan
### Customer impact
- All users at the instance, group, or project levels that have automation workflows that still rely on registration tokens for creating new runners will find that these workflows no longer work with GitLab 18.0.
- Customers must insert the `authentication
- See the [Next GitLab Runner Token Architecture handbook page](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/architecture/design-documents/runner_tokens/#stage-7---removals) for the details.
issue