## Summary Roll out [the feature](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/work_items/591481) currently behind the `stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation` feature flag. This rollout also tracks the `stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation_override` opt-out flag. Enable the override for specific projects when persistent ref creation must be re-enabled while `stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation` is rolling out. - DRI: @hfyngvason - Team Slack channel: `#g_pipeline-execution` > [!note] > Process and guidance live in the docs — this issue is just the commands and a place to track the rollout. > "Rolling out" means incrementally enabling the flag on GitLab.com to validate stability — it is not the same as releasing the feature, which happens when the flag is removed. > [Feature flag controls](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/feature_flags/controls/) · [Feature flag lifecycle](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/product-development/how-we-work/product-development-flow/feature-flag-lifecycle/#feature-flag-lifecycle) ## What could go wrong? Stopping CI persistent ref creation may affect workflows that depend on refs under `refs/pipelines/<pipeline_id>` being available after pipeline creation or when jobs transition to running. Watch CI pipeline/job failures and Gitaly ref creation/read errors during rollout. Use `stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation_override` as an opt-out for projects that need persistent refs re-enabled during rollout. ## Rollout Run all production `/chatops` in [`#production`](https://gitlab.slack.com/archives/C101F3796) and cross-post the results to `#g_pipeline-execution`. Background: [incremental rollout process](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/feature_flags/controls/#process), [feature actors](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/feature_flags/#feature-actors). **Non-production** ``` /chatops gitlab run feature set stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation 50 --actors --dev --pre --staging --staging-ref /chatops gitlab run feature set stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation true --dev --pre --staging --staging-ref ``` **Production** — percentage rollout (wait ≥15 min between steps, watch dashboards): ``` /chatops gitlab run feature set stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation <percentage> --actors ``` Or target specific actors instead: ``` /chatops gitlab run feature set --project=gitlab-org/gitlab,gitlab-org/gitlab-foss stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation true /chatops gitlab run feature set --group=gitlab-org,gitlab-com stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation true /chatops gitlab run feature set --user=hfyngvason stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation true ``` **Opt-out / re-enable persistent ref creation for specific projects** ``` /chatops gitlab run feature set --project=<full-project-path> stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation_override true ``` ## Before global rollout Confirm the relevant gotchas before going to 100% — see [enabling a feature for GitLab.com](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/feature_flags/controls/#enabling-a-feature-for-gitlabcom): - [ ] [Docs + version history](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/documentation/feature_flags/) updated - [ ] [Breaking changes](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/documentation/release_notes/#deprecations-removals-and-breaking-changes) announced, if any - [ ] [Change management issue](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/infrastructure-platforms/change-management/#feature-flags-and-the-change-management-process) opened, if required - [ ] [External API consumers](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/feature_flags/#do-not-use-feature-flags-in-external-api-consumers) handled with a fail-open mechanism, if applicable ## Cleanup Remove the flag once [deemed stable](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/product-development/how-we-work/product-development-flow/feature-flag-lifecycle/#feature-flag-lifecycle) — see [cleaning up](https://docs.gitlab.com/development/feature_flags/controls/#cleaning-up). Track it here, or open a follow-up [Feature Flag Cleanup issue](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/new?description_template=Feature%20Flag%20Cleanup). Remove the flag and its YAML definition from the codebase, then: ``` /chatops gitlab run release check <merge-request-url> 19.2 /chatops gitlab run feature delete stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation --dev --pre --staging --staging-ref --production /chatops gitlab run feature delete stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation_override --dev --pre --staging --staging-ref --production ``` ## Rollback ``` /chatops gitlab run feature set stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation false # production /chatops gitlab run feature set stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation false --dev --pre --staging --staging-ref # non-production /chatops gitlab run feature delete stop_ci_persistent_ref_creation --dev --pre --staging --staging-ref --production # remove entirely ```