| `dry_run` | boolean | no | Run [pipeline creation simulation](../ci/lint.md#pipeline-simulation), or only do static check. This is false by default. |
| `dry_run` | boolean | no | Run [pipeline creation simulation](../ci/lint.md#simulate-a-pipeline), or only do static check. This is false by default. |
| `include_jobs` | boolean | no | If the list of jobs that would exist in a static check or pipeline simulation should be included in the response. This is false by default. |
info:To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---
# Validate `.gitlab-ci.yml` syntax with the CI Lint tool **(FREE)**
# Validate GitLab CI/CD configuration **(FREE)**
If you want to test the validity of your GitLab CI/CD configuration before committing
the changes, you can use the CI Lint tool. This tool checks for syntax and logical
errors by default, and can simulate pipeline creation to try to find more complicated
issues as well.
Use the CI Lint tool to check the validity of GitLab CI/CD configuration.
You can validate the syntax from a `.gitlab-ci.yml` file or any other sample CI/CD configuration.
This tool checks for syntax and logic errors, and can simulate pipeline
creation to try to find more complicated configuration problems.
To access the CI Lint tool, navigate to **CI/CD > Pipelines** or **CI/CD > Jobs**
in your project and click **CI lint**.
If you use the [pipeline editor](pipeline_editor/index.md), it verifies configuration
syntax automatically.
If you use VS Code, you can also validate your CI/CD configuration with the
If you use VS Code, you can validate your CI/CD configuration with the
[GitLab Workflow VS Code extension](../user/project/repository/vscode.md).
## Validate basic logic and syntax
## Check CI/CD syntax
By default, the CI lint checks the syntax of your CI YAML configuration and also runs
some basic logical validations. Configuration added with the [`includes` keyword](yaml/index.md#include),
is also validated.
The CI lint tool checks the syntax of GitLab CI/CD configuration, including
configuration added with the [`includes` keyword](yaml/index.md#include).
To use the CI lint, paste a complete CI configuration (`.gitlab-ci.yml` for example)
into the text box and click **Validate**:
To check CI/CD configuration with the CI lint tool:
1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Projects** and find your project.
1. On the left sidebar, select one of:
-**CI/CD > Pipelines**
-**CI/CD > Jobs**
1. In the top right, select **CI lint**.
1. Paste a copy of the CI/CD configuration you want to check into the text box.
1. Select **Validate**.
## Pipeline simulation
## Simulate a pipeline
> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/229794) in GitLab 13.3.
Not all pipeline configuration issues can be found by the [basic CI lint validation](#validate-basic-logic-and-syntax).
You can simulate the creation of a pipeline for deeper validation that can discover
more complicated issues.
To validate the configuration by running a pipeline simulation:
You can simulate the creation of a GitLab CI/CD pipeline to find more complicated issues,
including problems with [`needs`](yaml/index.md#needs) and [`rules`](yaml/index.md#rules)
configuration. A simulation runs as a Git `push` event on the default branch.
1. Paste the GitLab CI configuration to verify into the text box.
1. Select the **Simulate pipeline creation for the default branch** checkbox.
1. Select **Validate**.
Prerequisites:
- You must have [permissions](../user/permissions.md#project-members-permissions)
to create pipelines on this branch to validate with a simulation.
### Pipeline simulation limitations
To simulate a pipeline:
Simulations run as `git push` events against the default branch. You must have
[permissions](../user/permissions.md#project-members-permissions) to create pipelines
on this branch to validate with a simulation.
1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Projects** and find your project.
1. On the left sidebar, select one of:
-**CI/CD > Pipelines**
-**CI/CD > Jobs**
1. In the top right, select **CI lint**.
1. Paste a copy of the CI/CD configuration you want to check into the text box.
1. Select **Simulate pipeline creation for the default branch**.
